Relocated brewpub opening doors

Relocated brewpub opening doors

The co-founders of Big Lake Brewing: Travis Prueter, left, Nicholas Winsemius and Gregory MacKeller. Courtesy Big Lake Brewing

A brewpub in the region is set to expand its capabilities in a new location.

Big Lake Brewing said today it is moving its brewpub to a newly renovated, 7,000-square-foot building in downtown Holland, at 13 W. 7th St. The new brewpub will open on Dec. 20.

The 90-year-old building was previously home to several restaurants.

“We could not be more excited to bring it back to life with our amazing customers,” said Nic Winsemius, co-owner and director of production, Big Lake Brewing.

“Our original location on the north side of Holland welcomed thousands of neighbors and visitors in our first years of operation and being able to expand downtown to a destination that also creates jobs and an awesome space to gather with friends and families is a dream come true.”

Big Lake’s brewpub is currently located in Holland at 977 Butternut Dr. The brewery will no longer occupy the current location after the 7th Street space opens.

“Butternut is in a strip mall,” Winsemius said. “It was a great location for us to get started, but the exterior was never really us. This (new location) is something we can build out to represent us and our vision of Big Lake.”

Big Lake contracted Zeeland-based Midwest Construction Group for the $1.2-million build out.

The brewery also collaborated with Holland-based Forged by Design to create the industrial look of the brewpub, featuring exposed timber, steel beams and handcrafted tables.

The layout of the new building will feature a 160-seat indoor capacity, a 35-foot bar with 20 seats and TVs mounted overhead and an outdoor area with 60 additional seats.

The brewery’s operations will be visible from inside the restaurant area, and there will be a stage for live music and an outdoor area for yard games.

The brewpub will also have a new food menu, featuring items like wood-fired pizzas, tacos, sandwiches, mac and cheese and salads.

Big Lake hired Luke Dekker, formerly of Sandy Point Beach House, as its executive chef.

Big Lake

Big Lake Brewing was founded by a trio of engineers — Winsemius, Travis Prueter and Gregory MacKeller — in 2009.

Since then, the brewery has expanded, distributing statewide in Michigan and the Cleveland area.

When Big Lake opened its original location, the brewery operated a three-barrel system, which later grew to a seven-barrel system. The brewery is now packaging product out of its new 4,300-square-foot facility located at 164 and 166 E. 19th St. in Holland, with a 15-barrel system.