Bell’s Brewing

Bell’s Brewery Sales Rumors Circulate

MLive dropped a bit of a rumor bomb this morning.  Bell’s Brewery could be sold.  What?  Well the sale depends on the outcome minority shareholder negotiations.

About $22 million has been spent on the brewhouse and renovating the Eccentric Cafe in Continue Reading →

Larry Bell’s Hangover Cure

Planning to have a few tonight?  Larry Bell of Bells Brewery suggests you try the following…

Drink milk thistle and Vitamin D first.  Drink some water before you go to bed.  In the AM, have some sauerkraut juice over ice with hot Continue Reading →

Bell’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout In 750’s

More bomber action for Bell’s Brewery!  Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout.  The name speaks for itself.  Bell’s Cherry Stout aged in bourbon? Yep.

Tinted ruby-black, Cherry Stout gains its signature tartness from 100% Montmorency cherries grown in Michigan’s Traverse City region. Rather than Continue Reading →

Bell’s Oberon Returns Today. Now In 12 Packs

Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns as of today (or midnight last night if you want to split hairs.)  New packaging format is being added this year- 12 packs.  Starting in the northwest, the brewery will rollout 12 packs to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Continue Reading →

Jazzy: Bell’s Le Contrebassiste

Above is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s new Jazz Series Releases.  Le Contrebassiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the Continue Reading →

Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale

Above is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s  Jazz Series Releases.  Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are Continue Reading →

Bell’s Le Batteur Ale, The First In Jazzy Trio

Above is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s  Jazz Series Releases.  Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are interpretations Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, Bell's Brewing

Bell’s Brewery Sales Rumors Circulate

MLive dropped a bit of a rumor bomb this morning.  Bell’s Brewery could be sold.  What?  Well the sale depends on the outcome minority shareholder negotiations.

About $22 million has been spent on the brewhouse and renovating the Eccentric Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo, but the rest of the project is on hold as the company tries to save money in an attempt to buy out 11 of the 14 shareholders, Bell said.

The decision could come as early as this fall, as negotiations continue.  Larry Bell of course owns majority stake in the brewery, along with his two children.

“If it was just a family business, there would be legal maneuvers we could make that would facilitate that kind of transfer across generations. With its current structure, I’m not able to do those sorts of things. It would basically leave us in the position of selling the company upon my death.”

 Full article over at MLive.  By the looks of it, this is all speculation at this point.  Larry Bell has a lot of meetings coming up before any of this becomes real.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing

Larry Bell’s Hangover Cure

Planning to have a few tonight?  Larry Bell of Bells Brewery suggests you try the following…

Drink milk thistle and Vitamin D first.  Drink some water before you go to bed.  In the AM, have some sauerkraut juice over ice with hot sauce, worcestershire sauce, and celery seed.

Milk thistle helps the liver process alcohol and the Vitamin D supply can be depleted by a lot of alcohol consumption so taking additional can be helpful.  The cabbage in the sauerkraut juice is a liver cleanser.

[Hangover cure]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing

Bell’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout In 750’s

Bell's Brewery Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry StoutMore bomber action for Bell’s Brewery!  Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout.  The name speaks for itself.  Bell’s Cherry Stout aged in bourbon? Yep.

Tinted ruby-black, Cherry Stout gains its signature tartness from 100% Montmorency cherries grown in Michigan’s Traverse City region. Rather than doubling up on sweetness, this tart cherry varietal serves as a counterpoint to the warm, dark chocolate notes from the malt bill. Lightly hopped for balance, this stout is one of the cornerstones of the Bell’s stout portfolio.

Style: Stout (w/ cherries, Barrel Aged)
Availability: 750 ml bottles.  (Usually Eccentric Cafe limited)

7% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Bell's Brewing, Seasonal Return

Bell’s Oberon Returns Today. Now In 12 Packs

Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns as of today (or midnight last night if you want to split hairs.)  New packaging format is being added this year- 12 packs.  Starting in the northwest, the brewery will rollout 12 packs to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri and Arizona, then Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.  Specific dates will be announced soon.

“We are excited and thrilled to be able to offer this additional packaging option to our customers,” said Laura Bell, Marketing Director for Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

Oberon will be available on draft, 6 packs, 12 packs, and mini kegs.  Mini kegs will arrive in the coming months.  Also, look for 12 packs of Bell’s Amber Ale.  Recently, the brewery redesigned the label.  Look for 12’ers by the end of summer.

Expansion

A 12-pack bottling line was just added to Bell’s production facility in Comstock, Michigan.  Part of a major renovation and expansion project that will also add a new 200-barrel brewhouse as well as fourteen 400-barrel fermenters. The new brewery is expected to open in May.

[Presser]

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing

Jazzy: Bell’s Le Contrebassiste

Bell's ContrebassisteAbove is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s new Jazz Series Releases.  Le Contrebassiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are interpretations on the French style Biere de Garde.

The last entry in a three-part series of interpretations on the French Biere de Garde style, Le Contrebassiste blends roasted & lightly smoked malts and is fermented with a special French ale yeast which lends its own distinctive aromatic notes. The beer’s namesake, the Double Bass, is reflected in the deep, rich flavors that resonate in this unique offering.

Style: Biere De Garde
Availability: 750ml bottles

7% ABV

Other beers in series include:  Le Batteur & Le Pianiste.

note: The above is tentative.  Subject to change at whim of the brewer, the beer, or the barrel.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing

Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale

Bell's Le Pianiste AleAbove is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s  Jazz Series Releases.  Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are interpretations on the French style Biere de Garde.  A french take on the farmhouse style.

The second in a three-part series of jazz-inspired interpretations on the French Biere de Garde style, Le Pianiste starts as a malt forward beer, combining biscuity, breadcrust notes with a light caramel flavor. Noticeably dry, the finish is crisp with a lively, refreshing acidity.

Style: Biere De Garde
Availability: 750ml bottles
Arrival: TBA

6.5ABV

Other beers in series include:  Le Contrebassiste & Le Batteur

note: The above is tentative.  Subject to change at whim of the brewer, the beer, or the barrel.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing

Bell’s Le Batteur Ale, The First In Jazzy Trio

Bell's Le Batteur AleAbove is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s  Jazz Series Releases.  Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe.  Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are interpretations on the French style Biere de Garde.  A french take on the farmhouse style.  As you can guess, Le Batteur means drummer in French.  

The first in a three-part series of interpretations on the French Biere de Garde style, Le Batteur leads with a distinctive yeast aromatic character mixed with light bready notes. Noticeably dry, the finish is crisp with a mild, refreshing acidity. The French term for a drummer, Le Batteur takes its name from a component of a classic jazz trio.

Style: Biere De Garde
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft.

6% ABV

Other beers in series include:  Le Contrebassiste & Le Pianiste.

note: The above is tentative.  Subject to change at whim of the brewer, the beer, or the barrel.

by Reid Ramsay