Mark your calendars, beer lovers — Saturday, September 19th is the day Big Lake Brewing throws open its patio doors for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest Party, and it’s the perfect finish line for a full day out on the West Michigan Brew Tour.

The Tour: A Full Day in Holland

Don’t just show up for Oktoberfest — make a whole afternoon of it. Here’s how the West Michigan Brew Tour rolls through downtown Holland on the way to the party:

 

• • Our Brewing Company — first stop of the day, kicking things off right.

• • New Holland Brewpub — the second brewery stop along the route.

• • Centennial Park — a scenic walk through downtown Holland to see the fountain, the largest Dawn Redwood Tree in Michigan, the Koi Pond, and the Wizard of Oz display, with some local history mixed in along the way.

• • Big Lake Brewing — the tour’s final stop, where you can stick around and enjoy the Oktoberfest Party in full swing.

By the time you roll up to Big Lake, you’ll have already sampled two other local breweries and picked up some Holland history — Oktoberfest is just the celebration at the end.

What’s on Tap at Big Lake

Once you arrive, Big Lake is going all in with a full day of music, food, and friendly competition:

 

• • 2:00–5:00 PM — The Bierkeller Boys Oompah Band kicks things off with live traditional German tunes to get the steins clinking.

• • Afternoon — Stein-holding competitions test who’s got the strongest arm (and the most stubborn pride) in Holland.

• • 5:00–7:00 PM — The Knot Spot rolls up to the patio with food to keep everyone fueled.

• • 6:00–9:00 PM — Dunegrass headlines the evening and closes the night out right.

Stein-holding competitors putting their arms to the test at Big Lake’s Oktoberfest

Why It’s Worth the Trip

There’s something about an Oktoberfest that hits different in Michigan in September — the string lights come on, there’s a chill in the air, and a good stein of Oktoberfest-style beer just tastes right. Big Lake’s patio in downtown Holland is the perfect backdrop for it, and after five years running this party, they’ve clearly got the formula down.

Raising a stein at the stein-holding competition, Big Lake Brewing

Nothing beats raising a glass with a crowd like this one — good beer, good company, and a whole afternoon of oompah music setting the mood.

Book the Full Tour

Skip the planning and let the West Michigan Brew Tour take you through Our Brewing Company, New Holland Brewpub, and Centennial Park before landing you right at Big Lake Brewing’s Oktoberfest Party. Come for the tour, stay for the party.

See you at the stein-holding competition. Prost!

Big Lake Brewing is located in downtown Holland, Michigan. Oktoberfest Party details are subject to change — check biglakebrewing.com for the latest.