Pure Michigan Pints

Tulip City Brewstillery

Holland, Michigan

It’s that time of year … the tulips are blooming and the tourists are out, overtaking Holland in the masses; it’s Tulip Time. Named after the famed tulips of Holland (brought over originally from Holland, as in the Netherlands in Europe), the city has a brewery named after it: Tulip City Brewstillery.

This is kind of a forgotten brewery in Holland. Especially, if you’re not actively searching for all the breweries in Holland, aren’t a tourist only hitting up the main stretch downtown, or are not familiar with the south side of Holland.

I discovered this brewery within my first month of moving to Holland and have visited at least a dozen times.

Selection

Last time I visited, they stepped it down in their selection and only had 7 beers on draft: a Mexican lager, a mosaic IPA, a Hefe Stout (interesting styles to blend), two Imperial Stouts, a white porter, a brown ale/mead hybrid. For me personally, I don’t think having three different stouts on was the best choice, considering the sun was out and the temperature was rising. This may be an indication of changes to the brewery that will come (more on this later).

In the past they’ve offered more variety with around ten drafts that included a lighter beer, a brown, a double IPA, and a stout. Unfortunately, they do not do flights at the time of this writing. But they’ll be more than happy to give you some tastes.

Vibe

The place is big. I’ve seen it at capacity. (Or maybe just packed.) The variety of seating—barrels in the back to sit at, long tables, seats at the bar, and addition of not only an outside area but a huge game room—gives you plenty of seating options. Sitting outside by the food truck on a warm summer day is never a bad choice.

They used to have trivia as well. Word on the street is the kid who was doing it realized he sucked at it and could no longer provide a good trivia experience. He recognized his time was up.

Service

Some places the second you empty your glass you have to wait, place it towards the end of the bar, try to make eye contact with the bar tender—this isn’t one of those places. Expect to get greeted immediately, be asked which beer you’d like right away the second you’re out or close to out asked what else they can get you.

All of the bartenders are knowledgeable and ready to talk beer with you. They’ll ask you what you thought of not only beer, but the food (which isn’t even theirs).

Beer Quality

Unfortunately, this is where I need to ding Tulip City Brewstillery. If asked about one must try beer—one beer they do absolutely right, despite having been to the brewery over a dozen times—my mind always draws a blank. It’s not bad beer, but I’d probably mumble, “Just try one.” I don’t mean this mean-spirited or am saying it to be a dick, but nothing to me stands out.

And if I’m honest with myself, some of it is below average.

Their beers just don’t pop—the hefe is drinkable and decent; it’s better than some Hefezweizen attempts but definitely isn’t the best take on this beer I’ve came across. The smoked beer is okay.

If I had to choose favorite, I’d say their best offering is the double-IPA called Hop College. It’s hoppy and what you’d expect from a double. (Last two times I visited they did not have this beer on, but I hope it will make a return.)

Food

The brewery itself does not serve food and they don’t need to. Spice Boys, the BEST food truck in Holland is (mostly) permanently parked out front. If you live in Holland and have not tried or even heard of Spice Boys, first I want to know what rock you are living under. Second, I want your poor soul to experience this food. It’s like being kicked in your urethra, except it’s in your mouth. A flavor explosion. While maybe not fully authentic, Spice Boys is the food truck you need in your life.

This is by far the best food truck in Holland and would compete well in a statewide competition of Best Food Truck in Michigan.

They serve steak tacos, pork tacos, veggie tacos, an angry burrito (used to be a hidden menu item a few years ago), nachos, and more. I’ve never once been remotely disappointed here. If the food truck is open, it’s impossible for me not to order at least a couple of tacos.

Overall-Recommend

Each brewery is a new experience. If you’re in the vicinity, you have to check out Tulip City Brewstillery. While they might not offer the best beer in Holland, they still provide a different brewery experience. And, really, you have to check out that food truck.

New changes, including a remodel will be underway shortly (both the brewery and food truck have new owners), and I’m told they’re going to shift to being more of a restaurant than a brewery. My biggest hope—aside from them upping their beer game—is that the food remains consistent.

Total—12/20