Attorney Michael Brower and homebrewers Joel Kamp, a CPA, and Chad Doane, a production analyst, met through a homebrew club. The idea for opening a brewery was put on the table and digested over dozens of beers.
Two years later, in March 2014, their plan came to fruition when Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. opened. The trio renovated a Buick dealership at 441 W. Western Ave. in downtown Muskegon that dated back to the 1920s, and constructed a large production facility.
Since then, the partners have been in a constant state of creation. Early on, head brewer Chris Carr delivered Kamp’s recipe for what is now a signature Oatmeal Cream Pie beer. Soon, demand exceeded supply. Blending oats, marshmallows, and other secret ingredients, the oatmeal cream pie is a noted blend of flavors.
“I think the OCP is a totally unique beer,” Carr says. “There aren’t too many beers that nail the flavor profile of what we’re trying to replicate without being overly sweet and undrinkable. Balance is a big goal of ours.
“Salted Caramel Porter is another beer that aims for balance, but rides the edge of beer conformity. We never intended it to be a year-round beer, let alone our No. 1 seller, but it has been since we started brewing it.”
Seasonal beers that sell well include Summer Spin, Beach Please, and Oktoberfest. In the first year, the partners produced and served 800 barrels out of the taproom. By 2016, the beers were available across Michigan, and today they can be found in northern Indiana.
Looking to complement their core business, in 2019 the partners added a brewers’ lounge and a production facility in the parking lot, which doubles as event space. The 15 to 18 beers on tap satisfy palates for most beer aficionados.
In 2023, the co-owners took another step and added Socibowl, which offers several duckpin bowling lanes and entertainment games. Handcrafted tables and chairs made from walnut and oak embrace the office furniture industry in western Michigan, with a focus on Mid-century Modern design.
Brandon Morrison and his wife, Liz, who live a few blocks away and stop by frequently, have witnessed the business’s evolution.
“It’s a testament to Pigeon Hill that they’ve blossomed like they have,” Brandon says. “The brewers focus on beer, and people here appreciate the quality.
“The Oatmeal Cream Pie is well-balanced and creamy, but not overpowering. It has a really good finish. The Salted Caramel Porter is like tasting a cinnamon roll. In the summer, when the sun sets, the views of Lake Muskegon from the patio are the best.
“You meet all kinds of people from out of state during the summer. In the winter, it’s more locals. But overall it’s a unique, mellow vibe that keeps bringing you back.”
