Casks

Bell’s Brewing Launches in Georgia

Bell

Bells Brewing Launches in Georgia — Today!

Quick History

Bell’s began as Kalamazoo Brewing Company by a fellow named Larry Bell in 1983. Originally, it began as a home brewing shop and sold it’s first beer in 1985. Since then, Continue Reading →

Posted in Casks, Rare Opportunity, SweetWater Brewing

RARE BEER ALERT – Sweetwater French Oaked Double IPA

Action alert. Today, June 23rd at 12pm- Brickstore Pub is tapping another rare keg in conjunction with their 12th Anniversary. It’s Sweetwater’s French Oaked Double IPA.

First of all, in the past Sweetwater has not made many Double IPA’s. (Recently one was released as a part of the “Dank Tank” series – Double Medlin IPA.)

Anyway – today’s keg is a little different. This double IPA was aged in French Oak previously used to age first run Bordeaux. There is some significance to this. To simplify, oak casks are simply wood lined barrels used for aging – whether it be wine, whiskey, beer etc. The oak casks allow a tiny bit of air into the product, while allowing the woody aromas to enter into your (in this case) beer.

So todays keg sat in a woody cask that aged a first run bordeaux. ( Some wines age in what is called a 200% process – first round 1 oak cask, second round another.) In the case of this double IPA, the bordeaux took up some of the woody oak aroma, and in turn transfered some of its wine flavor to the wood. Once the double IPA is added, it takes up some of the woody, wine favor into its body as it ages.

The result? Should be a hoppy, oaky flavor. French oak is typically not as strong as American oak. It provides a different favor in the aging process. Again this keg is tapping at noon today, and will go fast I’m sure. I will add a photo soon. Off to try!

Check twitter for live images of the tapping…

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Casks, New Launches

Bell’s Brewing Launches in Georgia

Bell's Brewing Company

Bell

Bells Brewing Launches in Georgia — Today!

Quick History

Bell’s began as Kalamazoo Brewing Company by a fellow named Larry Bell in 1983. Originally, it began as a home brewing shop and sold it’s first beer in 1985. Since then, it has obviously grown into the craft brewer that it is today. In 2003 it opened its current brewing site near Comstock, MI. The current site has seen numerous expansions, thus allowing its distribution to grow further and further away from Michigan.

Just to tell you ahead of time, you are going to want Hopslam, Oberon, and Two Hearted Ale. They are incredibly tasty.

WELCOME TO GEORGIA BELLS!!!!

Launch Events and Tastings are as follows –

Monday, May 18th -Rare cask of Hopslam Double IPA tapped at Brickstore Pub in Decatur. Also, I believe a keg of Double Cream Stout will be on hand.

Tuesday, May 19th – Taco Mac begins selling Bells. Launch event is slated for the Kennesaw Location. Metropolis will also have a great line up too.

Bell’s Check List of must haves if you are a Bell’s first timer –

Oberon – American Wheat Ale – 5.8% ABV
Two Hearted Ale – IPA – 7.0% ABV
Amber – Amber Ale – 5.8%
Pale Ale – American Pale – 5.2%
Hopslam – Double IPA – 10% ABV
Kalamazoo Stout – Stout – 6% ABV
Third Coast Old Ale – Barleywine – 10.2% ABV

And that’s just for starters!

by Reid Ramsay