The Hideout
Multimedia by Allyson Garstecki
Story by Dominic Trimboli
The Hideout, according to their website, was partially named for its location off the main roads of Grand Rapids as well as its pre-prohibition era local brewery feel. Their goal? “We wanna make sure you’ve got a beer you love, and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home.” Nick Humphrey Co-Owner said while a chorus of patrons and staff sang happy birthday to someone across the room. Between them -a j-shaped bar, complete with 31 taps of in-house craft brewed beer. To their left a free popcorn machine nearly always full. The stairs on their right lead to the loft where Wednesdays and Saturdays local musicians give your night a personal soundtrack. During the warmer portions of the year, additional seating and music can be found through the back door in the beer garden.
In a year and a half this small brewpub in Grand Rapids with virtually no distribution went from being posted for sale on Craigslist to sending out over 180 kegs across Southern Michigan monthly. Humphrey and Scott Colson, the owners of The Hideout for the better portion of the last two years, have turned this brewpub around for the better, showing no signs of slowing down.
The Hideout offers the largest selection of in house craft brewed beer in West Michigan. The menu is ever changing. “If you had a beer yesterday it could be gone today!” Mike Hermann, head of distribution for The Hideout, laughed. Sometimes they have no choice but to switch in 12 different brews in a single week due to the speed at which they drain kegs.
The brew team is constantly experimenting with new recipes ensuring an infinitely fresh menu. Fridays an all new flavor of beer is inducted to The Hideout cache to ensure there is always something new and exciting. From hot dog and pickled flavored brews to hazelnut stouts and raspberry bavarian cream ales you never know what you’re getting into on a trip to this bar.
Using its 155 gallon system The Hideout has been increasing its distribution for a little over a year now. At any time the Hideout can have up to fifty different styles of brew out at a single time. Hermann optimistically predicted distribution throughout the entire state of Michigan by May’s end. This progressive brewpub is just getting started, though. Expansion to Chicago, where six surrounding counties possess a population the size of the entire state of Michigan, is expected by June and July of this year.
The Hideout has come a long way from Craigslist. Humphrey and Colson turned this small local brewpub into a statewide distributer in less than two years. Always keeping at heart the laid back feeling of home this bar has managed to stay true to itself and loyal customers throughout the success. “This is the brewery of misfit toys,” Heather LaRowe member of the brew team at The Hideout said. “...if you feel out of place (at other brewpubs), or just need a second home, come and be a part of our family.”
Story by Dominic Trimboli
The Hideout, according to their website, was partially named for its location off the main roads of Grand Rapids as well as its pre-prohibition era local brewery feel. Their goal? “We wanna make sure you’ve got a beer you love, and an atmosphere that makes you feel at home.” Nick Humphrey Co-Owner said while a chorus of patrons and staff sang happy birthday to someone across the room. Between them -a j-shaped bar, complete with 31 taps of in-house craft brewed beer. To their left a free popcorn machine nearly always full. The stairs on their right lead to the loft where Wednesdays and Saturdays local musicians give your night a personal soundtrack. During the warmer portions of the year, additional seating and music can be found through the back door in the beer garden.
In a year and a half this small brewpub in Grand Rapids with virtually no distribution went from being posted for sale on Craigslist to sending out over 180 kegs across Southern Michigan monthly. Humphrey and Scott Colson, the owners of The Hideout for the better portion of the last two years, have turned this brewpub around for the better, showing no signs of slowing down.
The Hideout offers the largest selection of in house craft brewed beer in West Michigan. The menu is ever changing. “If you had a beer yesterday it could be gone today!” Mike Hermann, head of distribution for The Hideout, laughed. Sometimes they have no choice but to switch in 12 different brews in a single week due to the speed at which they drain kegs.
The brew team is constantly experimenting with new recipes ensuring an infinitely fresh menu. Fridays an all new flavor of beer is inducted to The Hideout cache to ensure there is always something new and exciting. From hot dog and pickled flavored brews to hazelnut stouts and raspberry bavarian cream ales you never know what you’re getting into on a trip to this bar.
Using its 155 gallon system The Hideout has been increasing its distribution for a little over a year now. At any time the Hideout can have up to fifty different styles of brew out at a single time. Hermann optimistically predicted distribution throughout the entire state of Michigan by May’s end. This progressive brewpub is just getting started, though. Expansion to Chicago, where six surrounding counties possess a population the size of the entire state of Michigan, is expected by June and July of this year.
The Hideout has come a long way from Craigslist. Humphrey and Colson turned this small local brewpub into a statewide distributer in less than two years. Always keeping at heart the laid back feeling of home this bar has managed to stay true to itself and loyal customers throughout the success. “This is the brewery of misfit toys,” Heather LaRowe member of the brew team at The Hideout said. “...if you feel out of place (at other brewpubs), or just need a second home, come and be a part of our family.”
See it for Yourself!
3113 Plaza Dr.
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Contact:
Phone: 616-361-9658
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Contact:
Phone: 616-361-9658