Eccentric Cafe

Bell’s Eccentric Café has been a staple in the Southwest Michigan music scene for decades, and this summer’s concert series line-up shows that tradition will continue. Bell’s Brewery has been a long-time supporter of the arts and local music community, showcasing acts from all genres and backgrounds to perform at Bell’s Eccentric Café and Beer Garden. We’re excited to bring you this year’s 2019 Summer Beer Garden lineup. Tickets are on sale now.  Combining the improvements we are making to the Beer Garden with the incredible and diverse lineup of artists, we will have one of the best summer concert lineups ever. Take a look below at the full lineup, answers to some frequently asked questions, where to buy tickets and more! May 31st – Steppin in It w/ May Erlewine & The Motivations: Lansing based Americana group, Steppin in It is returning to Kalamazoo to open up the Beer Garden with May Erlewine & the Motivations! Together, these two exceptional bands will have you dancing the night away, surely a night you won’t want to miss. **Limited tickets remaining here!  June 1st – Lettuce: Known for their incendiary live shows, extensive touring, Lettuce brings a new vitality to classic funk, matching their smooth and soulful grooves with a hip-hop-inspired urgency. **Limited tickets remaining here! June 2nd – Sunday Funday in the Beer Garden with The Crane Wives, Barn On Fire, House of Boogie, Uncle Kooky: Rounding things out in our Beer Garden weekend opener will be a free, full daylong event of live music for the whole family to enjoy! Kick-off the day with Uncle Kooky at 11:30am, followed by House of Boogie, Barn on Fire, and ending the evening will be Grand Rapids folk band, The Crane Wives! This is a free event and open to all ages until 9pm. June 15th – Trampled By Turtles w/ The Slamming Doors: American bluegrass/folk-rock band from Duluth, Minnesota will be stopping by for an evening in the Beer Garden with support from The Slamming Doors. Their latest album, “Life Is Good on the Open Road” released in May of 2018 and they are excited to share this album with Kalamazoo! SOLD OUT! June 29th – Built To Spill: 20 years after the release of seminal album, “Keep It like a Secret”, Idaho indie-rock band will make their debut in the Beer Garden to play the album in its entirety! Fans will be able to hear much-loved song such as “Carry the Zero” and “You Were Right” alongside other tracks from the band’s extensive back catalogue. SOLD OUT! July 9th – Fusion Presents… Whiskey Myers: Loud and proud, they sing about what they know with a refreshing directness and clarity. Whiskey Myers’ songs are stories with characters and situations that are immediately relatable. Through the quality of these songs, and their undeniable power in concert and on record, the band has attracted ad devoted army of fans who pack venues and rock the night away! Tickets here! July 19th – Kurt Vile: Known for his solo work and as the former lead guitarist of rock band, The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile is stopping by Kalamazoo for a show in the Beer Garden! Vile created his first record in three years, the eclectic and electrifying "Bottle It In", which he recorded at various studios around the country over two very busy years. **Limited tickets remaining here! July 23rd – Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst is an American singer-songwriter from Omaha Nebraska who began his recording career in 1993 at the age of 13! He is best known for his work in Bright Eyes and has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, The Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. **Limited tickets remaining here! July 27th – Sir Mix-A-Lot: Yup…he’s back again for round two, this time in the Beer Garden! Sir Mix-A-Lot is celebrating 25 years of his hit single, “Baby Got Back” and you chance to hear it live in concert has come again. Tickets here! August 10th – CFG & RSP Present - Abbey Road: The Corn Fed Girls and The Red Sea Pedestrians are coming together to perform one of the greatest albums of all time, Abbey Road, complete with all instruments and in its entirety. Your chance has come to see what sold out theatre crowds and summer festivals have been raving about. Tickets here! August 16th – Here Come the Mummies w/ Hannah Rose and the GravesTones: Your favorite eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000 year-old Egyptian mummies are returning to Kalamazoo for another show after their sold out performance last summer! Some claim the group is reincarnated Grammy-Winning studio musicians, regardless, Here Come the Mummies’ mysterious personas, and unrelenting live shows will bend your brain and melt your face. Tickets here! September 14th – Langhorne Slim & The Law: American singer-songwriter, Langhorne Slim has been spotted on fan-favorite tours with the Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Drive-by Truckers, & more. His song “Electric Love Letter” was chosen as number 5 on the Rolling Stone editor’s top ten picks and was even featured in the movie, “Waitress”. Langhorne Slim’s music encourages listeners to find ways to challenge today’s social rigidity as he re-interprets the sound of a free-spirited life. Tickets here! September 15th – Sunday Funday in the Beer Garden with Zed Zeppelin, Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts, Analog Ancestry, DJ M Sord, and Uncle Kooky: Come hang out in the Beer Garden with friends and family for a free, full daylong event of live music for everyone to enjoy! Kick-off the day with Uncle Kooky at 11:30am, followed by Analog Ancestry, Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts, DJ M Sord, and ending the evening will Led Zeppelin cover band, Zed Zeppelin! This is a free event and open to all ages. **Save the date for our 2019 Octoberfest Celebration in the Beer Garden on September 20th and 21st! answers to some frequently asked questions All shows are 21+ except June 2nd and September 14th (until 9:00PM) Guests are not allowed to bring their own lawn chairs into the garden due to capacity and safety restrictions (unless otherwise noted). Fans cannot bring in outside containers (empty water bottles are OK – they can be refilled inside) or other alcoholic beverages into the Beer Garden For those who may need extra assistance, we are more than happy to provide designated seating. Just let us know ahead of time by emailing concertinfo@bellsbeer.com Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at TicketWeb.com or by stopping in the Bell’s General Store. On the day of the show, once doors open, tickets can only be purchased at the door, while supplies last. Cameras without removable lenses are allowed, we ask that everyone be mindful and respectful of the artists performing and those nearby in the audience. Food may be available for purchase outside. If you would like to grab a bite or enjoy dinner before a show, we recommend arriving early and checking in with our host or grab a seat in the bar. Smoking is allowed only in designated area outside of Bell’s Eccentric Café’s establishment. Prohibited items – outside food and beverage, weapons of any kind, illegal drugs, umbrellas noise makers, blankets and backpacks, professional camera with removable lenses, coolers, bikes, skateboards or rolling skates, signs and banners. Only certified service animals are allowed inside the Café and Beer Garden. In the event the show is moved indoors due to inclement weather, those with Weather Dependent tickets are no longer valid and will be refunded in 2-3 business days. All Guaranteed Admission tickets remain valid and have guaranteed admission into the Back Room. If show has moved indoors announcement will be sent via TicketWeb and Social Media, no later than 3pm. day of show. Questions, comments or concerns, please email concertinfo@bellsbeer.com By use of this ticket, the ticket purchaser/holder (“Holder”) agrees that Bell’s Brewery shall have the unrestricted right and license to the Holder’s image, likeness, comments or other proprietary or public rights in any broadcast, telecast or photograph and/or video and/or audio sound recording taken in connection with the event or other transmission or reproduction in whole or in part of the event, for all purposes, without compensation. If you have other questions, you can always reach out to us directly. Cheers to warm summer nights in the Beer Garden!

The 9th Annual Kalamazoo Beer Week will be held Jan. 11 – 19 all over Kalamazoo! Below are the events we’ll be hosting, join us! Jan. 12 7th Annual Bell’s Snow Jog Adventure (Leisure) Race & Challenge (sold out) - Kick-off Kalamazoo Beer Week with a choose your own adventure run/jog/walk all over downtown Kalamazoo to benefit Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. The route includes 11 stops with challenges & Bell’s beer at different downtown bar and retail locations. All runners must return to the Eccentric Café by 1:30 p.m., and complete five of the 11 challenges to receive this year’s exclusive Snow Jog swag. Founding Father’s Tap Event, Kalamazoo Beer Exchange (more info) Beat the Brewer, LFG (more info) Jan. 13 Funk-uary, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Sour beers on tap, with some funky food specials. Doors open at 11 a.m. at the Eccentric Café, available while supplies last. (more info) Jan. 14 Pasty Night at Old Dog Tavern - Enjoy pasties and some great Bell's beers (Hopslam, Amber Ale, Larry's Latest Quadruple Belgian, Bear Hug Imperial Stout) at Old Dog Tavern beginning at 6 p.m. (more info) Jan. 15 Flamingo Fruit Fight Release Party, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Specialty release party for the latest packaged release in our Larry’s Latest series. Doors at 11 a.m., available on tap and in the General Store (to-go) while supplies last. (more info) Tap Event, Hangar Bar and Grill Bell’s Beer Tasting, Drake Party Center Bell's and Barbecue, The Union - 3 beers (Hopsoulution, 30th Anniveresary Cherry Stout Reserve and Le Contrebassiste) paired with 3 different BBQ sauces in a rib bone basket, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (more info) Jan. 16 Wear Your Bell’s, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Wear a Bell’s logo and you’ll get $1 off beer. Pretty simple. 11 a.m. start. (more info) Chef’s Table, Zazio’s - 5 course food & beer pairing (Oarmsan, Rye Stout, Mole Stout, Hopsolulution and Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout), $65 (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 269-384-2650 or email Michelle for more info. Annual Mario Kart Tournament, Shakespeare's Pub - Prizes and bragging rights to the winners! 4 Bell's beers on tap including Hopslam. 7-9 p.m. (more info) Open Mic Night, Louie's Trophy House - Two Hearted, Winter White and Hopslam (plus a special Hopslam wing sauce), 8 p.m. Jan. 17 Upper Hand Tap Takeover, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Enjoy a special lineup featuring our friends from the U.P. starting at 11 a.m. Available on tap while supplies last. Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity to sample these beers below the Mackinac Bridge! (more info) Kalamadoodle & Bell's Brewery at the KIA: Kalamadoodle is returning to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to enjoy a night of craft and creativity. As always, all supplies will be provided. This is a free and family friendly event. (more info) Raw Bar and Stouts, Central City Taphouse - Bear Hug, Harry MaGill's Spiced stout Pomegranate Oarsman, 5 p.m. (more info) Jan. 18 Firkin Fest, meet the brewer, Bell's Eccentric Cafe. Enjoy beer out of a firkin and chat with the brewer who made it! A rare opportunity. (more info)  

Tasting Notes: Double IPA with intense citrus, bubblegum and pine aromas. Rich malt. Made especially for avid Two Hearted fans, this Double IPA version of Bell’s classic, Two Hearted Ale uses the same malt and hop profile, taken to the next level of intensity.  First brewed in 2015, Double Two Hearted is hopped at 2.5 times the rate of regular Two Hearted. It was first brewed at B1, our original brewery, for our 30th Anniversary Funvitational party. 2018 marks the first time this beer is being brewed in our Comstock Brewery.  100% Centennial hops and the fruity aromas of our house ale yeast are what give Two Hearted and Double Two Hearted their balanced but distinct, juicy hop notes. Double Two Hearted is being triple dry hopped to enhance the depth and complexity. Want to enjoy a Double Two Hearted? Check to see if it's on tap at the Eccentric Cafe, find it at a special event near you or check out our beer finder to see where you can grab some!  

Tasting Notes:  Pale Ale dry hopped five times, with stone fruit, dank, pungent hop notes This beer was brewed for the Crosby Hop Farms booth at the 2018 Craft Brewers Conference. The name is an acronym for Craft Brewers Conference Bell's Crosby Collaboration Beer, but CBCBCBC is the official name. Utilizing a popular technique of multiple dry hops, we looked to drive complex and layered hop aromatics in a delicately malty Pale Ale. CBCBCBC Ale contains 100% Crosby Farms Oregon grown hops. In addition to the pelletized hops, we used Crosby's HopHash as part of the overall hop profile. HopHash is highly concentrated with the aromatic oils and and bittering components of hops without as much leafy green material as found in standard hop pellets. CBCBCBC clocks in at a 5.6% ABV and can be enjoyed at the Eccentric Cafe in addition to this year's Conference in Nashville. Check to see if it's on tap at the Cafe with our tap cam. And it's fun to say. Try it! It's all about the rhythm.

Tasting Notes:  Dry-hopped lager with herbal, noble hop character and a slight caramel sweetness. HopfenDunkel, a dry hopped lager, translates literally to "hop dark" in German. We are utilizing our European style lager recipe while using European hops for the kettle and dry hop, hence the German play on words for the name.  The copper-colored beer has a 5% ABV, medium bitterness and an herbal, green tea like hop character. The slight sweetness  of the malt and herbal, noble character play well of each other in the finished beer.  Check out our beer finder to find HopfenDunkel near you, or check to see if it's on tap at the Eccentric Cafe with our tap cam.

The 8th Annual Bell’s Homebrew Competition Kick-off and Expo will be held this year on Sept. 9 at the Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo. The homebrewer who takes first place will get to brew their recipe at our original brewery to then go on tap next door at the adjacent Café. The first place winner will also attend the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado as our guest. That person will team up with us for the 2018 Pro-Am Competition and attend both the awards ceremony and members’ only session. We will cover the cost of airfare to Denver and back (must be within the continental U.S.) and provide lodging for two nights. “Our General Store has been supporting homebrewers for more than 30 years, longer than we’ve been brewing. We are extremely proud to be able to offer this unique opportunity to those who share the same passion that set us on our own journey,” said Laura Bell, CEO of Bell’s Brewery. As in previous years, there is no cost to enter the competition and the only requirement is that you use Bell’s wort, which will be available for free at the kick-off, while supplies last. This year’s Expo will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will feature Blichmann Engineering, Briess Malt, Pilot Malt House, the Brewers Association and others. Sign-up times for wort pickup will begin at 11 a.m. It will be distributed beginning around 1 p.m., first come, first served. In past years, more than 200 homebrewers have been able to receive wort. Competition entries (four 12 oz. bottles) are due to the Bell’s General Store by 7 p.m., Sunday, October 29. The 2016 winning recipe, from Evan Monroe of Three Rivers, Michigan, will be tapped for the first time at 2 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Café. Freedom of Peach is a hoppy saison brewed with peaches. All are welcome and encouraged to stop by the Café and try this first-place homebrew recipe (those 21 and up, of course). Previous winners 2015: Bale So Hard, a Farmhouse Ale brewed with HBC 438 and Mosaic hops. 2014: Coffee Mustache, a California Common style beer brewed with coffee from Matt VanNatter. 2013: Proud Mitten, a dry hopped IPA/Pale Ale made with Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops from David Lyman. 2012: Manden Med Leen, a black IPA brewed with Belgian yeast from Nick Rodammer. 2011: A Bit of Heat from Geoff Groff, brewed with paradise seeds, rose hips and habaneros. 2010: Oscar’s Folly, a collaborative IPA from Jarrett Cupp, Bailey Cupp and Paul Gentz. [[{"fid":"2943","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]  

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting notes: Modern Gose with kiwi; tart, quenching, fruity Bell’s Kiwi Club Gose is no ordinary Gose. Although it’s brewed with the classic Gose ingredients of coriander and salt, the non-traditional ingredient of kiwi was added to this recipe. In Goslar, Germany where this style originated in the 16th century, this sour wheat beer received its tart character from the spontaneous fermentation process. Nowadays we add the lactic acid bacteria to get a similar outcome. The addition of the kiwi compliments the spice and tart notes present from the coriander, salt and sour flavors, making it a refreshing beer for the summer. See if the beer is available on our tap cam, or at special events near you. Also, be sure to keep your eye out for more specialty beers from our B-1 brewery. WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.

We’re proud to again be participating and brewing for the Ales for ALS program to raise awareness and money for ALS research. “It’s important that the brewing industry gives back,” John Mallett, Bell’s director of operations who has helped design previous hop blends, said about the program. “It’s a pretty fun program. Good hops, great beer, great cause.” We recently started brewing this year’s recipe, which will be an IPA with oats. Ales for ALS was created by B.T. Loftus Ranches and Hopunion LLC to support ALS research. Started in 2013 by Loftus Ranches and Hop Union, and Bell’s has been involved since the beginning, the program has raised over $1.25 million for ALS research with more than 130 participating breweries. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. Each year, Loftus and Hopunion donates a special hop blend to breweries to make an Ales for ALS beer. Proceeds from each pint sold will goes to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. This year’s hop blend includes Citra®, Loral™ and four experimental varieties. See more details. Keep an eye out on our draft cam to see when our Ales for ALS goes on tap and check out all the other breweries taking part in the great program.  Update (8/16/17): This year's Ales for ALS is now on tap. Check our Draft Cam before stopping by though!     [[{"fid":"677","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]  

Star War: The Force Awakens kicks-off our summer Beer Garden movie series on June 14.  Admission for all movies is free and all will begin at dusk. Bring a blanket and/or a low-backed chair.  See you in the Beer Garden! The full schedule June 28: Anchorman July 12: La La Land Aug. 2: Get Out Aug. 16: Pitch Perfect Sept. 5: Back to the Future (with costume contest!) Sept. 20: The Big Lebowski Follow the Eccentric Cafe on Facebook to learn how you can win our next Sweat Seats giveaway (includes a Bell's gift card, popcorn and candy).  [[{"fid":"4930","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]] [[{"fid":"4379","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]   [[{"fid":"4381","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"5":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"5"}}]]  

This year's annual homebrew competition will kick-off on Sept. 9, 2017 at the Eccentric Cafe. As in previous years, wort will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 11 a.m. There is no cost to enter, the only requirement is that you use our wort (which is also free).  The homebrewer who takes first place will get to brew their recipe at our original Kalamazoo brewery to then to go on tap at the adjacent Cafe. They will also head to next the 2018 Great American Beer Festival in Denver as our guest. Bell's will provide travel and accommodations.  That person will also team-up with us for the Pro-Am Competition and attend both the awards ceremony and Saturday members only session.  This year's Expo will feature vendors like Briess Malt, Pilot Malt House, Blichman Engineering and more.  Stay tuned for more details! And if you are heading to this year's American Homebrew Association's Homebrew Con, stop by our booth and say hello!