Here is the site in 2011. The buildings in the back are part of the original brewery.
Photo from Google Street View. The front street is Bridge, and the cross is Indiana.
The Michigan Brewery, Peter Weirich, proprietor, was built in 1856. He
erected two small buildings, in which business was carried on for some time. In
1858 an addition was made to the business, but in 1866 the entire brewery was
torn down, and the present one erected. The brewery is 70 x 60 feet, three and
half stories high, with a wing 54 x 78 feet. He has in connection five malt
floors, an ice house, 70 x 100 feet, and large bottling works in connection. Mr.
Weirich owns a farm in Walker township, on which are two ponds, where he freezes
all the ice needed in his business. He uses spring water for the manufacture of
his beer, and sells about 7,000 barrels annually. His annual trade will exceed
$50,000. From Chapman's History of Kent County, Michigan, p 915.
Ad from the 1883 Polk's Grand Rapids City Directory.
PETER WEIRICH
April 2, 1887, at noon, Peter Weirich, long identified with the brewing
and other business interests of the West Side, died at his home on West
Bridge street. Mr. Weirich had been sick nearly three months, an attack
of pneumonia developing into a quick consumption against which even his
powerful frame and great vitality could make but little resistance. He
was born in the village of Todtenorth, near Coblentz, in Prussia, Jan.,
18, 1831, and was consequently 56 years of age at the time of his death.
The year that he attained his majority he came to America to seek his fortune,
with the sole capital of his hands and brains, first going to Milwaukee,
but within a year applying for and receiving employment at the brewery
of Christopher Kusterer in this city. Within two years (in 1855) he purchased
the property where the Michigan brewery now stands and went into business
for himself. The next year he married Josephine Arnold, of Austria, who
died 12 years ago. Mr. Weirich prospered in business and became identified
with the business advancement of the West Side to a considerable extent;
he owned several business blocks and was a director in the Fifth National
Bank in the organization of
which he was prominent. The eighth ward elected him to the council
for several terms and found him an active and influential representative.
In 1875 Mr. Weirich married as his second wife Mary Peterman, a native
of Austria, as was his first wife. She survives him. Of a family of 10
children, but five are now living, a young son, Henry, and four daughters.
Two sister of Mr. Weirich, Mrs. Brach and Mrs. Lachman, reside here, and
there are two in Germany. He was a Mason and a member of the Turn and Arbeiter
Vereins. His acquaintance and associations were extensive, and by them
all he was highly esteemed as a business man, a citizen and a friend.
Taken from PIONEER SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, ANNUAL MEETING OF 1887, VOL. XI, SECOND EDITION, MEMORIALS AND RESOLUTIONS OF OLD RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION OF THE GRAND RIVER VALLEY; pages 85-93.
An inquiry from a friend asking if these buildings became the Petersen Brewing Company prompted another search and turned up a picture of a logo, a bottle, and this picture. It's obviously the one at the top of the page. Information on the site says the brewery operated from 1900 to 1918. In a 1921 city directory they were listed at Petersen Beverage Company, Manufacturers and Bottlers of Purity Malt Syrups and Soft Drinks.
In 1928, the Petersen son is working for a National Beverage Company on Shawmut. By 1938, according to the city directory, there were still Petersens living at 904 Bridge St, but there is no mention of a beverage company. I found Petersens living at this address up to 1954, but have not searched past that date.
That isn't entirely true, as this piece from Goss' History of Grand Rapids and Its Industries, 1906, p 1085 says.
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