MUSKEGON, MI -- A piece of Muskegon history has been resurrected after nearly 90 years of laying dormant. The Muskegon Brewing Company brand is back, not far from its original birthplace overlooking Muskegon Lake. The historic brewing company is pouring eight new ales at Muskegon’s newest development, Adelaide Pointe.
This is the first time since pre-Prohibition the brand has been active. Muskegon Brewing Company, founded in 1876, was set to reopen after the 18th amendment was overturned, but a fire closed operations. Shortly after, Grand Rapids Brewing Company began bottling at the facility instead.
Then Goebel Brewing bottled beer there until 1957. RELATED: Historic images of Muskegon Brewing Company established in 1876 When developers Emily and Ryan Leestma embarked on creating the $250 million Adelaide Pointe , they wanted to capture Muskegon’s waterfront economy. Muskegon Lake was missing a spot for boaters to pull in and grab a bite and a beer, said Emily Leestma, owner of IBEX Hospitality.
The couple has mastered waterfront hospitality since taking over Bear Lake Tavern in North Muskegon. The old, white brewing factory is directly behind the development in plain sight. It just made sense to pay homage to the site’s history, Emily Leestma said.
“The Muskegon Brewing Company, back in the day, wasn’t just a brewery, either,” she said. “It was really a stopover for people. I wrapped that all into our vision of having great hospitality and a great stopover poi.