Rolf’s Barbeque—A New Star Among Spring Lake Restaurants with Appalachian BBQ and Onsite Craft Beer Brewing

Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque in Spring Lake is cooking up something even more exciting than its signature brisket and burnt ends.

This local barbecue joint, which opened its second location just this past May, is gearing up to enter the craft beer scene.

That’s right—soon, you’ll be able to pair your plate of smoky, Appalachian-style barbecue with a pint of freshly brewed beer made right on-site.

Here’s how it all came together.

When co-owners Judy and Rolf Hissom bought the building at 971 W. Savidge St., they got much more than a prime waterfront property.

The space, which used to house Old Boys’ Brewhouse, had a fully equipped brewing setup, including six massive brewing tanks.

It was like hitting the jackpot for anyone thinking about making beer.

Everything is already in place and ready to roll—well, almost.

There’s still the paperwork to handle and state licensing to finalize, but if all goes to plan, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque will start pouring its own craft beer by the summer of 2025.

Judy Hissom is pumped about this new venture.

She shared that the restaurant is lucky to have experienced brewers already on the team and has even gotten a little help and advice from other local breweries.

That sense of community support seems to be one of the perks of jumping into the craft beer world, and it’s helping make this transition as smooth as possible.

Now, if you’re hoping to find Dr. Rolf’s beer on store shelves or in bars around town, don’t hold your breath—the plan is to keep things simple and exclusive.

The beer they brew will only be available at their Spring Lake location.

No bottling, no cans, no distribution—just a cold, fresh pint that you can only enjoy while sitting at Dr. Rolf’s.

For those unfamiliar, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque is the brainchild of Dr. Rolf Hissom, a practicing physician with more than 25 years of experience caring for patients in Muskegon and Spring Lake.

Barbecue was his side passion, but in 2019, he and his wife turned that passion into a full-blown restaurant in Muskegon.

With the success of their first location, they decided to bring their Appalachian-style barbecue to Spring Lake, Judy’s hometown.

This Spring Lake gem is perfectly placed on the waterfront, and with transient slips along the boardwalk, you can even arrive by boat.

Whether you roll up on four wheels or float in on a pontoon, you’re greeted with a deck perfect for enjoying some barbecue and, soon, a fresh craft beer to wash it down.

On the menu, you’ll find everything you’d expect from a barbecue joint done right:

• Ribs
• Pulled pork
• Brisket
• Burnt ends
• Wings
• Tacos

They even have some lighter options like salads and wraps.

It’s a place where everyone can find something they love, and the food is just as comforting as flavorful.

The decision to add craft beer is like a natural next step.

After all, what pairs better with smoky barbecue than a cold beer?

And with everything they need already in place, the Hissoms are in a great position to make it happen.

They’ve got the equipment, they’ve got the know-how, and they’ve got the drive to create something special.

Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque has already made its mark with its food, and adding house-brewed beer to the lineup could make it a true destination spot.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the idea of sitting by the water, digging into a plate of ribs, and sipping a beer made just steps away sounds like a little slice of heaven.

So, keep an eye on this place.

If everything goes smoothly with the licensing and permits, come summer 2025, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque won’t just be a barbecue joint—it’ll be a brewpub, too.

And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be part of that?

A place that serves great food has a cool backstory and will soon have its own beer!

Sounds like a win-win for everyone.