Leigh's Brewing Company to open in former Hopland Brewstillery location

HOLLAND TWP. — A new brewery is moving forward with plans to open in the former home of Hopland Brewstillery in Holland Township.

Leigh’s Brewing Company went before the township’s board of trustees on Thursday, July 18, for consideration of a liquor license, which was ultimately approved.

The application was for three new manufacturer licenses. It states the plan is to manufacture beer, wine and spirits on the premises and offer 46 seats at tables and a bar counter. The business proposed hours of operation from 12-10 p.m., but did not yet specify which days it will be open. It will not serve food.

Jessica Ringling represented the Leigh's during the meeting and said the idea to open the business started with her father, Lee, who frequented Hopland Brewstillery and fell in love with its community aspect.

“It is something my dad has wanted to do for many years so we are all coming together to make it happen,” Ringling said. “It’s kind of crazy. It has all happened so fast. We have been talking about it for years and finally the opportunity came up. It’s still a little unbelievable that it’s actually happening.”

Hopland Brewstillery first opened six years ago, but announced on social media in May that the business was for sale. It officially closed June 15. The space was also once home to Big Lake Brewing, which has since moved to downtown Holland.

Leigh's Brewing Company will be a family run operation that includes Jessica and her sister Laurel — who both have Leigh as their middle name — along with their father and mother, Mary.

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Although the family has hired someone to create their offerings, the plan is for everyone to be involved in the day-to-day operations.

“It’s really a dream,” Ringling said. “We are just so excited. We all live separate lives and are all grown up so this is really an opportunity for us to get closer. We’ve all come together so much more in the past month or two.”

The business will be located at 977 Butternut Drive, Suite 4. Ringling said the hope is to open in September or October.

“Right now we are kind of limited because we are waiting on the state, liquor licenses and all the back end stuff,” Ringling said. “We are hoping for this fall.”

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.