Taste of My Town
WZZM 13’s local food show pays a visit to Cedar Springs.
CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. (WZZM) — Grand Rapids and the rest of West Michigan have a rich German brewing history. That’s part of what the folks at Cedar Springs Brewing Company have wanted to celebrate since opening in late 2015.
Right when you walk in the door, you’re greeted by German images — the company logo featuring red lederhosen, flags from the country and its local municipalities, and a collection of steins and mugs, some of which are more than 100 years old.
But it’s not just the decor that celebrates Germany. The taplist and the menu both include two brands, the “Cedar Springs” brand and the “Kusterer” brand. The Cedar Springs taplist features American craft beer, similar to what you’d order at any West Michigan brewery, while the menu features American pub fare. The Kusterer taplist features traditional German beer, while the menu features Bavarian-style dishes.
Cedar Springs Brewing has also incorporated another German pub tradition — the Stammtisch. In Germany, the Stammtisch is a table where only regulars and their guests are allowed to sit. The tradition assures that regulars always have a place to eat. And since multiple parties are sitting at the same table, it also creates the opportunity for people to meet. At Cedar Springs Brewing, only mug club members are allowed to sit at the Stammtisch. The brewery also features a Bavarian room, where you can hold corporate or private events.
If you love the food you eat there, you can show the chefs and staff your appreciation by buying them a beer, which they can enjoy at the end of their shifts or at a later date. And they show their appreciation for your gesture by ringing a bell, found right outside the kitchen.
