New Holland Brewing hires head pub brewer Steve Berthel

New Holland Brewing Co. is one of those rare craft companies that can do a little of everything well — brewing beer, distilling spirits and running a separate pub and restaurant in downtown Holland, Mich. The company’s wonderful cadre of craft beer, including staples like Dragon Milk and Mad Hatter, are sold and distributed throughout 13 states (from Michigan and Minnesota to North and South Carolina).

The company’s beer portfolio got even bigger and better as New Holland Brewing Co. brought on longtime collaborator and brewer Steve Berthel in early February. He is joining the team as head pub brewer and will oversee the specialty beers brewed at the Pub, located at 66 E. 8th St. in Holland, Mich.

Berthel (or “Bert”) is an established Michigan brewmaster whose career started back in 1997 as head brewer at Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo, Mich. In 2005, he took a leap of faith with his business partner and opened a new brewery — The Livery in Benton Harbor. The Livery was built in a 100-year-old former horse stable and carriage shop and has become a well-respected brewery in the state. Bert is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Brewers Guild.

“The same creativity and imagination that goes into renovating a hundred-year-old horse stable into a thriving brewery also goes into Bert’s remarkable brews,” said New Holland president Brett VanderKamp. “ We’ve known Bert for years and respect the passion he brings to the brewing community.”

Berthel’s first brew for New Holland is a collaboration with VanderKamp and New Holland partner, Fred Bueltmann — Water Sign IPA. The trio have been collaborating on versions of Water Sign for the past two years as a nod to their birthdays all falling in February.

“ I’ve always respected the vision and integrity of New Holland,” said Berthel. “Brewing is a labor of love for me and it’s an honor to put my talent and energy into a company like this one.”

“Bert is a great advocate of Michigan beer and shares our commitment to creating well-balanced, handcrafted beers,” said Bueltmann. “He has a wonderful knack for blending innovation with traditional techniques and local sourcing. We’re looking forward to tasty examples of his adventurous spirit.”

For more details, check out the New Holland Brewing Co. Facebook page.