4 minute read
Bier Distillery: Hollandse Hapjes on the North Side
by Arend A. Vander Pols
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One would think that West Michigan, being the center of Dutch-American culture, would be overrun with places a person could satisfy a craving for bitterballen, but that is just not the case. However there is one such place in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids near the ballpark, where bitterballen and other Dutch favorites - more than just hapjes - are featured on the menu.
The folks at Bier Distillery make an amazing array of things to drink and eat, and recently they answered the call for help in the fight against the pandemic by producing hand sanitizer.
The Dutch food is a bit of a secret, there is no mention of it on the signage for the distillery visible on the north side of West River Drive, and in fact it’s easy to blow by the place going 55 miles an hour. But check the distillery’s Facebook page and you soon discover the kitchen has been serving Dutch fare for a number of months. A post dated February 21, 2020, states:
Left: huzarensalade, photos of exterior. Below: Bitterballen and kibbeling with a side of hand sanitizer, photo of interior. Right, boerenkool met worst.
Bier Distillery Adds Authentic Dutch Food to its Spirit Lineup
Bier Distillery announced today the availability of its Kitchen/Distillery, focusing on authentic
Dutch food, a first for Grand Rapids.
Commenting on this important addition, Joel Bierling, President of Bier Distillery, said, "Bier Distillery is proud to add, along with the alchemy we create in the distillery, the magic of our authentic Dutch kitchen. My father was born in the Netherlands to a family of bakers and brewers, and I'm ecstatic to now continue the food tradition along with our spirits. When I started the distillery back in 2013, I was amazed I was the first business in the Grand Rapids area making craft spirits. Likewise, in 2020, I am amazed we are the only establishment focusing on authentic Dutch food in the area. I ate this food growing up, and I’m proud to share this with a new generation. We will offer regular and seasonal menus of traditional Dutch favorites as well as some innovative American twists.”
The current menu lists bitterballen, kibbeling, friet, snert, huzarensalade, boerenkool met worst along with traditional bar fare, such as burgers and tacos. Other Dutch items in rotation have been hachee, gehaktballen en hutspot, toasties, and desserts.
Above: Kees was an expert in working chocolate and made a chocolate castle. For decades, he was able to import the chocolate from the former Dutch Indies.
Above left: Bierling’s Banket Bakerij in Den Haag. The family lived above the bakery
Middle: Opa Kees at the Banner Bakery oven
Bottom left: Banner Bakery Bakers, at the right is Kees, with two hired Dutch/German bakers; George Huizenga (left), John Meier (center)
Head chef at the distillery is Joel’s wife Sara, who relies on family recipes plus new ones learned on visits to the Netherlands.
The Bierling name has a long history of baking (and brewing). Joel’s opa Kees owned Bierling’s Banket Bakerij in Den Haag. In January 1951, Kees and his family immigrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he worked a number of odd jobs before buying a bakery with his brother Tom. They named the bakery, located on Eastern Avenue near Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, “Bierling’s
Joel and Sara Bierling prepare to go on the air at a local television station to promote Bier Distillery
Bakery”. In 1954 Joel’s Opa Kees (later known as Neal Sr.) bought Banner Bakery in Holland, Michigan. Joel’s father Keesje (now known as Neal Jr.) writes:
My dad yearly made a brew for his siblings when they gathered at our house in Holland, Michigan. He made it using the bakery’s copper kettle. I never helped him and neither did my older brother, but my oldest sister did.
My dad had nine brothers and ALL of them had a son named Henry Bierling. My aunts also named a son Henry or Hendrik after my Bierling Opa. So, currently and in the area is my brother Henry, who lives near Hamilton, Michigan. I have a cousin Henry who took over Bierlings Bakery in Grand Rapids (on Eastern) from his Dad, my Uncle Tom, the bakery my dad also was at when we immigrated to Grand Rapids on Eastern Ave. I have another cousin Henry Bierling, who lives in Holland, MI, but he was a chemist (now retired).
Anyway, my cousin Henry (son of Tom) and his brother Frank moved and expanded Bierlings bakery in Hudsonville, Michigan. They went wholesale, no longer retail, and changed the name of the bakery to Creme Curl Bakery. Some of their product labels do have “Bierling Brothers” on them, and when I wish to give Bierling products away as gifts, I go to Hudsonville (Creme Curl).
The Bierling businesses have survived depressions, world wars, recessions, and many other challenges over the years. Joel Bierling continues the family tradition of innovation, creativity, and perseverance, at Bier Distillery.
These are tough times again for many small businesses, and especially for bars and restaurants. Bier Distillery has been keeping afloat by offering takeout food and beverages and they introduced food delivery on July 31. Dine-in is also available once again, with all prescribed safety protocols in place. Outdoor seating is also available.
Come out and support authentic Dutch food in West Michigan! Eet smakelijk!
Bier Distillery
5295 W River Dr NE, Suite 100 Comstock Park, MI 49321-8029 Phone: +1 616 888 9746 bierdistillery.com Facebook.com/BierDistillery
