HOLLAND, MI — Since the craft beer bubble burst in 2019, it’s become common for craft breweries to branch out into wines, ciders and spirits just to stay afloat, said Scott Graham, president of the Michigan Brewers Guild.

West Michigan’s New Holland Brewing Company, however, seems to have set the template for sustainable growth. The formerly “micro” brewery founded in 1997 broke into the distilling business in 2004 before the craft beer boom hit Michigan.

“For many years they’ve produced distilled spirits with an interest in selling them as an extension of what they do,” Graham said.

The shift from beer to spirits initially began as a passion project. Founder and CEO Brett VanderKamp knew early in the game that he wanted to have something for everyone who came through the door.

“He lov

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