Director of Happiness, is Cedar Springs owner and founder David Ringler. Born in Grand Rapids and graduated in 1988 from Northview High School. David then became an exchange student in the early 1990s and went to Germany where he also played American football. He was part of the Landsberg Express in the German league where he was a quarterback. His volunteer apprenticeship at the Fliegerbrau Brewery in the suburbs of Munich and the trips he made to visit beer halls made him learn more about German beer culture. The experience made him even more interested in the craft, given by the fact that he also was brewing beer at home as his hobby.
David had it in his blood, he was part -German, more importantly, he was very knowledgeable about German brewing history. According to David Ringler, the German immigrants from the 19th century established the beer scene in West Michigan.
He returned to Grand Rapids when he was 26 with a mission to open his own brewery. The only significant brewers in town were Founders Brewing Co, Grand Rapids Brewing Co, and Robert Thomas Brewing Co. His idea of opening brewery was shot down by potential investors. They didn’t believe in his vision. From the investors’ point of view, it could happen in other locations like East Coast or West Coast, but It wasn’t possible in the Midwest.
He also worked at Atwater Brewing Company in Detroit, Michigan Brewing Works in Webberville, and at Grand Rapids Brewing Company. An alumnus of Kalamazoo College where he studied finance, economics, and history, he eventually quit the brewing business and became an investment advisor. He started his own firm but he never gave up his passion for and love for beer. During those times, he wrote blogs about beer, and in some occasions, he had freelance jobs for breweries. The idea of building his own brewery never left him.
He opened Cedar Springs Brewing Company on November 13 of 2015. With “Auch Wasser wird zum eldlen Tropfen, mischt man es mit Malz und Hopfen!” painted on the walls, a popular old phrase that can be found in Germany’s beer halls. When translated it means “One turns water into precious drops by mixing it with malt and hops!” Come to think of it, just by adding a few ingredients to water it produces the drink we all love and enjoy. A great reminder for all the brewers and beer lovers. The brewery was a passion project for David. The result of what used to be just a hobby that he does at home, ignited by his love for the craft, and his knowledge that he gained from his experiences.
He looked at his options as to where he can build the brewery of his dreams. He had looked into different locations in Lansing and Grand Rapids, but later found that Cedar Spring was a good fit. It was a city that had many cars passing by, but that was the problem. They don’t stop at Cedar Springs. Now the German- centered brewery is located in 95 North Main Street, where a 1980’s storefront establishment used to be. Also adjacent to the spot is White Pine Trail.
The beer hall is a direct representation of David Ringler’s passion for the craft. Inside the brewery are German beer coasters showcased in a table with a glass top. He has a personal collection of 5000 beer coasters, which a few dozens are displayed in the brewery’s beer hall. Sitting on the shelves are majestic weissbier glasses, also a part of David’s personal collection.
With his experience and knowledge in brewing, it’s a surprise that David hired someone to brew beers in his business. According to one of his interviews, he hired Matt Peterson to be the head brewer of Cedar Springs Brewing Company. He admitted that Matt Peterson was a better brewer than he is. Matt is from St. Louis, Missouri, and has two decades of professional brewing experience. Before joining Cedar Springs, he used to work in Schlafly Beer, which is a regional brewery and Bottleworks, the city’s largest craft brewer. David worked on the branding and identity side of his business. According to David, he was excited about the business and the German side of it.
Cedar Springs Brewing Company got the attention of some institutions as their beers were given awards. Modern Weissbier, a lighter, modern and familiar version of the Bavarian Weissbier won gold in the 2017 L.A International, 2018 North American Beer Awards and 2019 Beer Awards. Original Weissbier is also a champ that has won a few awards including the 2016 GABF, 2017 & 2019 World Beer Award, 2018-2019 Revue, 2018 GIBCSBC, 2019 International Beer Wards, 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship, 2020 New York International “Mi Weiss Brewery of the Year”. CSBC’s dark lager called Munich Dunkel is also the winner in the 2018 U.S Open Beer Championships. Dunkelweizen, a dark Bavarian inspired wheat beer was a winner in 2018 GIBCMSC, 2019 Beer Wars, 2019 International Beer Wards. Salzburger Marzen, a traditional lager, winner in the 2017 World Beer Award. Lastly, Weizenbock, a traditional Bavarian wheat bock won in the 2017 World Beer Award and in 2017 LA International.
Last year, Cedar Springs Brewing Company announced that it will expand and add a second location at 642 Bridge St. SW in Grand Rapids. Küsterer Brauhaus is a 3460 square foot facility that features a three-barrel brewing system that will open in 2020. It will offer its own brand of Bavarian style beers, ales, and one-off brews. The location is very ideal because the area was home to several German and Central Europian beer hall during Prohibition, adding a traditional Munich style beer hall seems very fitting. According to David Ringler, he is excited and looks forward to the opening of his new establishment Küsterer Brauhaus, which he calls as a positive contribution to the vibrant neighborhood. The location where the establishment will soon rise has some established pubs like Harmony Hall, Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery and New Holland Brewing Company {The Knickerbocker}.