Beer history gets real on a sidewalk. This Holland Brew Pub Tour blends brewing stories with an easy walk past key corners, finishing at Big Lake for more local flavor. You’ll hit three brewery stops, including Our Brewing Company, New Holland Brewing, and Big Lake Brewing, with snack breaks built in.

I like two things a lot: the tour starts with practical history at Our Brewing Company and sweetens it with local donuts, and you’re also set up with snacks plus bottled water so you can focus on the stories (and not scramble for snacks). One thing to plan for: alcoholic drinks aren’t included, so if you want tastings, you’ll be paying for them at the breweries.

You’ll walk with Holland Michigan Walking Tours on a route designed for a small group (max 12). It’s a popular booking—about 23 days in advance on average—so if you’re set on a specific date, grab it sooner rather than later.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Three brewery stops in about three hours with time to actually listen and ask questions
• Donuts at the first stop so the tour starts with a sweet, local touch
• Scott-led storytelling that connects beer culture to real Holland landmarks
• Included snacks and bottled water so you’re not counting every mile on an empty stomach
• Alcohol available for purchase only, keeping the $39 price focused and controllable

A Holland brewery walk that feels made for first-timers

If you’re new to Holland, Michigan’s beer scene, this tour is a smart way to get oriented fast. The route is compact enough to stay interesting—breweries back-to-back, then short passes by historic corners—so you’re not spending the afternoon in transit mode.

It also has a friendly “small group” feel. With a maximum of 12 travelers, you’re more likely to get a clear answer to questions and keep the pace comfortable. I like that the tour isn’t trying to rush you through a checklist. It’s built around short stops, history on the way, and plenty of time to pause.

Price and logistics: what $39 really buys you

At $39 per person for about 3 hours, this tour is priced like a value move for Holland. Here’s what that money covers: the walking tour experience, snacks, and bottled water. Plus, each brewery stop lists admission ticket free, which matters because beer tours can quietly add costs.

What’s not included is the part people often assume is bundled. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, but they’re on you. That can be good news: you decide how much you want to drink, and you’re not locked into a tasting format if you prefer to sample lightly or skip altogether.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, which makes check-in easier, and it runs as a guided walking experience (not a bus tour). The meeting point is the 7th Street Parking Structure on E 7th St, and the tour ends at Big Lake Brewing on 13 W 7th St. Afterward, you can walk back to the start area, or you can stay for dinner right at Big Lake.

Where you start: 7th Street Parking Structure and a 2:00 pm kickoff

This tour starts at 2:00 pm, which is a handy time slot. You get most of your day, but you’re still early enough that the afternoon doesn’t drag into a late evening crawl.

You’ll meet at 7th Street Parking Structure (E 7th St, Holland, MI 49423). If you’re driving, starting at a parking structure usually makes it simpler than hunting for street parking at the last second. When you finish, you’re already in the Big Lake area, so you’re not ending in a “go find a new plan” location.

You’ll also want to note the physical side of a walking tour. The guidance says you should have moderate physical fitness. That doesn’t mean it’s extreme, but you should expect real walking between stops. Comfortable shoes are the only accessory you should treat as non-optional.

Stop 1: Our Brewing Company, history first, then donuts

The tour begins with a walk to Our Brewing Company (OBC). This first stop is where you get the “why this place matters” context—history of the site and what makes OBC unique.

What makes this opener work for you is that you’re not just staring at brewing tanks and hoping the explanation lands. You start with background, then get a small treat. During this stop, you’ll enjoy local donuts, and you also get admission free.

Practical advice: this is a great moment to set your pace and decide how you want to experience the tour. If you enjoy asking questions, ask them early. If you’re more of a quiet listener, settle in here before the route picks up with the next brewery.

Stop 2: New Holland Brewing—how Holland got on the beer map

Next up is New Holland Brewing – Holland Brewpub. This stop focuses on how New Holland became so popular and how it helped put Holland breweries on the map.

This is where I think the tour earns its keep for casual beer fans. New Holland’s story gives you a big picture—how a local scene grew enough to earn attention, and how a few well-timed moves can reshape a town’s reputation.

You’ll have about 45 minutes here, plus admission ticket free. That’s enough time to hear the story, look around, and—if you want—decide what you’d like to order once you know what you’re looking at.

One more detail I appreciate: the tour isn’t only “beer talk.” It’s connecting brewery success to the place itself. That makes the later historic corners hit harder, because you already have the context.

The Warm Friend corner and the founding church—small passes with big meaning

Between breweries, you’ll pass by two Holland landmarks and hear what happened there. One stop is The Warm Friend, where you’ll discuss a memorable historic event tied to this corner. Another is a church, where the tour covers the beginning of Holland and why this church matters in the town’s story.

These are brief moments, but they do something valuable. They keep the tour from turning into three identical brewery visits. You’re walking through Holland as a living town, not just a route with beer stops.

If you love towns with strong origins and visible landmarks, you’ll appreciate this part most. Even if you’re more into the beer side, these quick historical notes help you understand why the breweries feel embedded in local identity instead of floating in from nowhere.

Stop 3: Big Lake Brewing and the outdoor patio question

The last brewery stop is Big Lake Brewing. The tour covers their story and, if conditions allow, you can enjoy the outdoor patio.

This part matters because it gives you an optional “pause and relax” angle at the end of the walk. After hours of listening and walking, having a patio-style finish can make the tour feel less like an exam and more like a friendly afternoon out.

You’ll get around 45 minutes at Big Lake with admission ticket free. Also, the tour ends at the Big Lake address (13 W 7th St). That means you can easily continue your day: grab dinner nearby without recalculating routes.

Tip: since alcohol isn’t included, Big Lake is a good place to decide whether you want to buy a drink based on how you feel after the earlier stops. You’ll know what the tour has been like, and you won’t be pressured into an all-or-nothing tasting plan.

The guide factor: Scott brings facts with a down-to-earth vibe

One reason people rate this tour so highly is the guide. In particular, the name Scott shows up in the praise for being down to earth and very informative in a way that doesn’t feel stiff.

That matters because brewery tours can go two ways: either you get a fun walk with context, or you get a lot of names and dates with no flow. When a guide can explain the history and keep it practical, you actually remember details. And in this tour, remembering details is part of the fun—OBC’s uniqueness, New Holland’s impact, and what the Warm Friend and the church symbolize in Holland’s early days.

This is also the kind of tour where small group size helps. With fewer people, the conversation stays closer to your questions.

What to do (and what to skip) so the afternoon feels smooth

You’ll be doing a walking route with three timed brewery stops and short historic passes. So plan like this:

• Bring shoes you’re comfortable walking in for a few hours. The tour is listed for moderate physical fitness.
• If you want to drink, decide a rough budget up front. Drinks are available for purchase, but snacks and water are included.
• Eat a light meal before. Snacks and water help, but you’ll still want energy for the full route.
• If you’re a photos person, remember that the best picture moments may be at corners and entrances, not just inside breweries. The Warm Friend and church stops give you town-character photos.

If you’re coming with friends or family, this tour also works well as a shared “we learned something and had fun” experience. The $39 price makes it easier to justify than a longer, more expensive beer immersion day.

Who should book this Holland Brew Pub Tour

I’d steer you toward this tour if you want:

• A 3-hour activity that gives both beer and town history
• A manageable walking pace with max 12 travelers
• Included snacks and bottled water plus free admission at each brewery
• A guided route that explains why places matter, not just where to stand for a drink

You might want another option if:

• You expect all drinks to be included (they aren’t)
• You don’t want to walk much, since it’s built as a walking tour with moderate fitness requirements
• You need a very long sit-down tasting experience, since each brewery stop is about 45 minutes

For first-timers in Holland, this hits a sweet spot. You learn the basics, you see three key breweries, and you leave with context you can use later when you’re picking what to order on your own.

Should you book it?

Yes—if you’re comfortable with a guided walking afternoon and you like the idea of mixing beer with local history. The value is strong because snacks, bottled water, and free admission at the brewery stops are included in the $39 price, while alcohol stays optional so you can control costs.

It’s also hard to ignore the quality signal: it’s rated 4.9 with 19 reviews, and the recommendation rate is 100%. Add the fact that the guide Scott gets singled out for a friendly, down-to-earth style, and you get a tour that seems to deliver what it promises.

Book it now if you can. Since it’s commonly booked around 23 days in advance, you’re more likely to get your preferred date sooner than later.

FAQ

How much is the Holland Brew Pub Tour?

It costs $39.00 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 2:00 pm.

Where does the tour meet and end?

You meet at 7th Street Parking Structure, E 7th St, Holland, MI 49423. It ends at Big Lake Brewing, 13 W 7th St, Holland, MI 49423.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included. They are available for purchase.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.