New Holland Brewing Co.

New Holland Brewing Co.

A tight corner with big expectations

Some projects start with a blank site. This one started with a constraint.

Set in downtown Battle Creek, MI, the New Holland Brewing Co. expansion had to fit into a narrow space between an existing building and the street. There was no room to spread out, no opportunity to separate functions. Everything had to work together structurally, visually and operationally.

At the same time, the goal wasn’t just to add square footage. The brewery needed a space that could bring people together, extend the customer experience and remain active throughout the year, even in Michigan’s changing seasons.

That combination of a tight footprint and high expectations set the tone early.

Time that changed the outcome

Originally, the project was expected to move quickly. Instead, it stretched over three years due to COVID-related delays.

In many cases, that kind of pause can disrupt momentum. Here, it shifted the approach.

With more time available, the team was able to refine how the new structure would connect to the existing brewpub and how it would contribute to the surrounding downtown environment. Coordination between trades became more deliberate. Details that might have been rushed were instead resolved with clarity.

“It would be an understatement to say that we are pumped to see this project come to fruition,” said Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski. “We knew the quality product and environment that they would produce and what it meant for our revitalization efforts and how their presence would begin to positively spread throughout downtown Battle Creek. Sometimes good things are worth waiting for.”

That perspective became part of the project itself. The goal wasn’t just completion. It was getting it right.

A roof that does more than cover

The structure of the beer garden plays a central role in how the space functions.

A steep-sloped roof, supported by the SLR II™ system, defines the space while managing water effectively through an internal gutter system. In a climate where weather can change quickly, this approach helps maintain usability without constant maintenance or disruption.

Underneath, the design becomes more detailed.

A colored liner panel creates a finished ceiling plane, giving the space a more intentional feel than a typical covered outdoor area. Installing that system required close coordination across trades, particularly in aligning penetrations for lighting, mechanical systems and other elements.

Nothing about the installation was incidental. Each decision had to account for both appearance and performance, ensuring that the finished space felt cohesive from every angle.

Designed around experience

While the structure provides the framework, the experience defines the space.

The covered beer garden is built to support year-round use. Radiant heaters extend its functionality beyond warmer months, allowing guests to gather comfortably even when temperatures drop.

Within the space, an outdoor walk-up bar, entertainment stage and flexible seating areas create a setting that can shift from casual visits to larger events. Televisions and open gathering zones support a range of activities, from everyday use to game-day crowds.

The addition connects directly to the main brewpub, which includes a small on-site brewery. This connection keeps the experience continuous. Guests move naturally between indoor and outdoor environments without interruption.

That flow is intentional. The space is not an add-on. It is part of how the brewery operates.

Connected to more than the building

The impact of the project extends beyond its footprint.

Located in the heart of downtown, the beer garden contributes to a broader effort to re-energize the area. Its presence adds activity to the street, drawing people in and encouraging movement between nearby businesses.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years and I (spent time) downtown when I first came here, but I haven’t really done much downtown in the last 10-15 years,” said General Manager Julia Funke. “Since I’ve been working at the brewpub, and we’re walking up and down the streets, I’m like, ‘This place is amazing.’ ”

That reaction reflects something larger than the building itself. It speaks to how thoughtful design and careful integration can influence how people experience a place.

Built through coordination

Projects like this don’t come together through a single decision. They’re shaped by a series of coordinated moves between builder, trades and systems.

The structure, the roof system and the interior finishes all required alignment to ensure that the final space performs as intended. Working within a constrained site only heightened that need for coordination.

Varco Pruden^™ systems provided the flexibility to adapt to those conditions, allowing the team to design around the site rather than forcing a standard solution into place.

The result is a space that feels considered at every level, from how water is managed at the roof to how people gather below it.

A space that keeps working

Today, the beer garden operates as an extension of the brewery’s identity.

It supports daily use, accommodates events and remains active across seasons. More importantly, it fits within the building, within the block and within the broader downtown.

What began as a constrained addition has become a defining part of the experience.

And in a project like this, that’s the measure of success: not just that it was built, but that it belongs.