Events

Kalamazoo Public Library’s 2nd Annual Booktoberfest features three different sessions lead by two of our staff. John Mallett, Director of Operations here at Bell’s and author of “Malt: A Practical Guide From Field to Brewhouse,” along with David Curtis, Bell’s General Store Manager, will both lead homebrew related sessions. Mallett will speak on Sept. 29 about how to select the right ingredients while keeping both quality and cost in mind at the Oshtemo Branch Library. Curtis will lead two workshops in October at KPL’s Central Branch (downtown): Getting Started Homebrewing (equipment, the brewing process, plus tips and tricks to get started) - Thursday, Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. Choosing Homebrewing Equipment (equipment choices and upgrades for any budget) - Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. Other programs include a session with Jeff and Bonnie Steinmann of Hop Head Farms (their hops are used in a few different Bell’s beers including our Christmas Ale) and another with Fred Bueltmann of New Holland Brewing Co. and author of Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy. There are also special beers from Kalamazoo’s One Well Brewing and Tibbs Brewing. All programs will offer raffle prizes and giveaways. For more info, go here.

Bell’s beer will be flowing in Colorado this week in celebration of the 2015 Great American Beer Festival. Here is what we are pouring at this year’s festival, Sept. 24-26. Oarsman Ale Tart and refreshing, this sessionable Wheat Ale presents citrus and lemony aromas and trades sour intensity for finesse. A perfect pairing with any menu (4% ABV). Bell’s Octoberfest Beer Crafted as a flavorful session beer, this amber lager spends a full six weeks maturing in our fermentation tanks. It focuses on light caramel malt notes that lend body without too much sweetness, balanced by a refreshing bitterness from noble hops (5.5% ABV). Mango Habanero Oberon Brewed in Bell’s original Kalamazoo location, Mango Habanero Oberon takes the recipe for our summer seasonal and adds pureed mango and habanero peppers during fermentation. The full-flavored, medium bodied wheat malt used in Oberon along with its signature citrus notes, provide the perfect canvas for a colorful interplay of tropical, ripe mango aroma and distinct habanero warmth (5.8% ABV). Bell’s Belgian-Style Pale Ale A new hybrid of American and Belgian flavor profiles, Bell’s Belgian-Style Pale Ale explores the harmony between fruity, spicy Belgian yeast and pungent, tropical American hops like Mosaic, Citra and others (5.4% ABV). Events With help from our friends at Crooked Stave, we also be celebrating at the locations below. For help locating our beer elsewhere, please contact your preferred bars, restaurants and retailers directly for more information and availability. Please remember, quantities are limited and only available while supplies last. Tuesday, Sept. 22 Crooked Stave Takeover: Park Burger Rino, noon – 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 CSA Takeover: Hops and Pie, noon – 5 p.m. - The Wild One, Double Two Hearted Bell’s Tapping: Star Bar, 2 – 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 CSA Tap Takeover: First Draft Pour House, 4 p.m.–11:30 p.m. - Two Hearted, Coffee Mustache (winner of our 2015 Homebrew Competition) Friday, Sept. 25 Crooked Stave Takeover: World of Beer Cherry Creek, 7-11:30 p.m. p.m. After Party/Industry Party: Finn’s Manor, 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Bell’s Tapping: Falling Rock Tap House, 11-11:55 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 Crooked Brews & Chef Dudes: Mercantile, 6 p.m. – paired dinner with four other breweries. Limited seating. Untappd badge To mark the occasion in style, we are also offering a special “Bell’s in Colorado” badge for one week only, Sept. 21-28. To unlock it, check-in to one (1) Bell’s beer anywhere in the great state of Colorado. Cheers!

Update (9/9): There will be a shuttle bus travelling between the Eccentric Cafe, the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Homer Stryker Field on Saturday. The Banana Car will also be offering rides from the Cafe to the festival site for free between 1 and 4 p.m. Things to keep in mind before Saturday. FESTIVAL DETAILS Where: Homer Stryker Field, adjacent to Mayors' Riverfront Park, 251 Mills St. (between King Highway & E. Michigan Ave.) in Kalamazoo, also home to the Kalamazoo Growlers. When: Saturday, Sept. 12 Ticket check-in: Avoid waiting in long lines before the festival opens. Tents will be set-up on the north side of the soccer field (green area on map below), northwest of the ballpark. There you can exchange your ticket for a program (which includes beer tickets and food vouchers) along with your commemorative tasting glass and bracelet between noon - 4 p.m. The line to enter the festival will form at the south end of the field. Each festival attendee must be present with their ID and ticket to check-in. No one will be allowed into the festival area until 4 p.m. There is no re-entry. Festival Time: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Last call will be at 9:15 p.m. Additional beer tickets: Available inside the festival site, cash only. There will be limited ATM availability. Please plan accordingly. Additional food can be purchased directly from vendors. Designated driver tickets: Limited, available at the gate on Saturday. Seating: There will be plenty of seating available in the stands around the field. Weather: Just a reminder, this event is rain or shine. Check the forecast before leaving. AFTER PARTY Boogie in the Beer Garden: Join DJ Hardbargain and DJ Lasso for a vinyl funk and soul dance party starting at 8:30 p.m. at the Eccentric Café. No cover. This will be the last garden show of the year. The Cafe is located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. FESTIVAL PARKING Limited parking will be available to the north of the Kalamazoo Growlers' field and the main entrance, but we highly suggest parking in downtown Kalamazoo and either walking or bicycling to the festival or taking a cab. Carpooling is also encouraged. For a map of parking options in downtown Kalamazoo, go here. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will also lead you from our pub, the Eccentric Café, right to the festival site, a 0.8 mile trip (4 minutes by bicycle or a 16 minute walk). Head east on Kalamazoo Ave. to Harrison St. and turn left. The trail will pick up on your right and take you to Homer Stryker Field. A free bike valet will be available at the festival site to those who ride a bicycle. CONSTRUCTION ALERT: Mills St. is closed to thru traffic past the entrance to the park and just north of the KRVT intersection. Mayors' Riverfront Park is not accessible if traveling south on Mills St. from M-43. TRANSPORTATION Be safe, don't drink and drive. Let these fine folks help get you to where you need to be (this info will also be included in your program for easy reference). Kalamazoo Taxi & Sedan: 269-343-3100 The Taxi Guy: 269-355-4808 Taxi of Kalamazoo: 269-987-7226 Uber is also an option. WATER & SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is very important to us. There will be water on site to help you stay hydrated. Please bring a reusable water bottle to help us cut down on waste. Please help us recycle, compost and keep our host's site clean.Volunteers will be on hand to help answer questions about what goes in what bin.

We'll be at the Great Taste of the Midwest this weekend in Madison, with more than 150 other Midwest craft brewers. Before the festival begins, we will be pouring these beers at Maduro on Friday, August 7: Special Double Cream Stout Venus Uranus Black Note Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout  Raspberry Wild One Mango Habanero Oberon Cherry Stout Mars Kalamazoo IPA Wedding Ale Sparkleberry Two Hearted Hopsoulution DIPA Oarsman Traverse City Whiskey Barrel Aged Porter Bell's Lager Beer Here is what we will pouring at this year's Great Taste of the Midwest on Saturday, August 8 at 10 am: OG Twoey Mango Habanero Oberon Kalamazoo IPA Reading Ale Batch 1,000 Batch 1,500 Batch 2,000 Batch 3,000 Batch 4,000 Batch 5,000 Sweet Potato Saison Lavender Saison Sparkleberry Spruce Two Hearted Double Two Hearted Roundhouse IRA All Four Ale Crazy Brewer Beer Debs' Red The Wild One Le Contrebassiste Le Bretteur Mrs. Castries Vilnius Black Rye Mild Ale Mars DIPA Coffee Mustache

This year’s Michigan Winter Beer Festival has been expanded to 2 days this year, Feb. 27 and 28. To mark the occasion and to help celebrate its 10th anniversary, we decided to raid Larry’s secret stash. Friday’s lineup will feature some pretty rare vintages along with some other beers that haven’t been tapped in quite some time. Oh, and we threw in some Hopslam and Winter White to top it off. On Saturday, we’ll be pouring 19 different draughts including some other pretty rare releases as well. Take a look below and we’ll see you at Fifth Third Ballpark! For those in the Grand Rapids area or coming into town to start celebrating early, we also have 9 different events scheduled for Grand Rapids Beer Week, concluding with our annual a16 beer tap takeover at The Meanwhile (see photo from last year, at right) on Feb. 27. Take a look. Friday Quantities of course, will be limited. Expedition Stout (pre-2008) Expedition Stout 2008 Expedition Stout 2009 Expedition Stout 2012 Third Coast Old Ale 2004 Third Coast Old Ale 2008 Third Coast Old Ale 2009 Third Coast Old Ale 2012 Cherry Stout 2001 Cherry Stout 2008 Cherry Stout 2012 Cherry Stout 2009 Eccentric Ale 2001 Eccentric Ale 2003 Eccentric Ale 2004 Eccentric Ale 2005 Eccentric Ale 2008 Black Note 2012 Black Note 2014 Batch 9,000 Beer Michigan (barleywine brewed for 2014 American Homebrewers Association Conference) Special Double Cream Stout Hopslam Winter White Saturday (All draught, please note timed tappings when listed)  Quince Love (Noon) Wild Berry Rye (1 p.m.) Black Note (2 p.m.) Honey Hearted (3 p.m.) Cinnamon Sunrise Stout (4 p.m.) Two Hearted Smitten Golden Rye Winter White Third Coast Old Ale Cherry Stout (2014) Harry Magill’s Spiced Stout Raspberry Ale Bear Hug Imperial Stout Expedition Stout Java Stout Kal-Haven Ale Consecrator Doppelbock Hopslam Le Contrebassiste

We have partnered with The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) for a series of performances of Gustav Holst’s The Planets later this month. Holst’s seven brilliantly scored and wildly popular portraits of the planets—from the cold brutality of Mars, the Bringer of War to the ethereal Neptune, the Mystic—served as inspiration for our Planets Series. Venus, Mercury and Jupiter will be available for tasting and purchase during the CSO’s performances of The Planets at Music Hall, Feb. 19, 21-22, while supplies last. “Our beers have been inspired by a number of literary and artistic pieces. It was only a matter of time until classical music got its turn. It is a tremendous honor to be able to share these beers with the music that inspired me,” said Larry Bell, Bell’s President and Founder. On Feb. 21, a beer flight trio will also be available for $8. Advance tickets can be purchased through the CSO box office (must be 21 or older, with a valid ID). The Cincinnati Observatory will also offer telescope demos on the plaza in front of Music Hall, weather permitting. Jupiter should be visible for some prime viewing in the evening. For the Sunday matinee on February 22, a safe solar viewing experience will be offered, again weather permitting. Tickets for all three performances are available online or calling 513-381-3300.

Earlier this month we shaved for a cause. This week, we're combining two of our favorite things to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Our Beers with Beards party is Wednesday at the Eccentric Café in partnership with The Proper Possible Movement (Proper) and other Kalamazoo area businesses. Coinciding with No-Shave November, we are calling out all the beards and mustaches out there for a friendly little competition. Prizes will range from an Urban Modern Hair package to gift certificates to Henderson Castle. There will also be a DJ, dancing, “after” photos from Victor Vague Photography and of course, plenty of Bell’s beer starting at 8 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation for admission. All proceeds will go to the West Michigan Cancer Center. The competition categories are: Mustache • Most likely to be asked: “Did you draw that thing on?” • Most likely to give Magnum PI a run for his money Beard • Most likely to be called Patch Adams • Most likely to get those digits • Most likely to make people question if you cheated and grew before November 1st • Most likely to be Called “Peachy” Head Start (for those who did not join us at our Shave the Date Party) • Most likely to be mistaken for Santa Claus • Most likely to be mistaken for a Brewer at Bell’s • Most likely to be mistaken for ZZ Top Best of Show • Properest Beard or Mustache  

Our second annual Bell’s Blue Ice Game featuring Winter White is coming up on Nov. 15th at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo. The ice will be dyed blue and the K-Wings will take on the Reading Royals. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the first puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. Winter White will be available through January, a month longer than previously and those at the game will be able to enjoy 16 oz. cans of Bell’s winter seasonal from multiple stations throughout the arena. Michael Fuerst, one of our Training Coordinators and member of the rock band Knee Deep Shag as well as the acoustic band The Corn Fed Girls, will sing the national anthem before performing with The Corn Fed Girls later that evening at the Eccentric Café. K-Wings players will again wear limited edition Bell’s Winter White jerseys that will be auctioned off to fans at the conclusion of the game with proceeds going to Gryphon Place, a Kalamazoo non-profit that provides crisis intervention and support to those who need it. There will also be a Bell’s Winter White giveaway, a limited Winter White scarf, to the first 500 adults (21 and up) through the door that night and our reps will be available to chat and handout other free swag during intermissions. Ticket info Individual ticket prices for home games are $14 and $18 for adults and only $8 for kids ages 12 and under.  Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single-game tickets in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $2 (adults only). Groups of 15 or more may save money by calling 269-271-2915.  Tickets for all K-Wings home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Here's where we will be celebrating this week in Detroit leading up to the annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival on Oct. 24-25. Tuesday, Oct. 21: Old and New Bell's favorites at Mercury Burger Bar with 8 Bell's beers to choose from Wednesday, Oct. 22: Tap Takeover, Firkin tapping, and Venus release at Green Dot Stables Thursday, Oct. 23: Seinfeld Beer Dinner at Foran's Grand Trunk Pub - Buy tickets For the festival, we're bringing 19 different beers, a mix of year round and specialties, to Eastern Market. Quantities will be limited. Some will be tapped on Friday, others Saturday. Here's our tap list for this year: Best Brown Ale Winter White Ale Two Hearted Ale Amber Ale Kalamazoo Stout Special Double Cream Stout Third Coast Old Ale Java Stout Expedition Stout Quinannan Falls Special Lager Beer Hopsoulution - Double IPA The Oracle - Double IPA Harvest Ale - Brewed with 100% Michigan grown malt and hops Quince Love - Wheat Love aged in Traverse City Whiskey barrels, with quince fruit Honey Hearted - Two Hearted Ale re-fermented with honey and champagne yeast, barrel-aged with orange and lemon zest Cinnamon Sunrise Stout - Double Cream Stout aged in Traverse City Whiskey barrels with cinnamon and vanilla beans Quince Third Coast Old Ale - Third Coast Old Ale aged in Traverse City Whisky barrels with quince Kal-Haven Ale - Fermented with Brett yeast Imperial Red Ale

Bell’s Brewery, Inc. in partnership with The Proper Possible Movement (Proper) and other Kalamazoo area businesses are teaming up to raise awareness and money to help fight cancer. Two events will be held coinciding with No-Shave November, a non-profit organization devoted to preventing the disease, saving lives and aiding those fighting the battle. All money raised during these events will go to the West Michigan Cancer Center. The kick-off, “Shave the Date” party, will be held at Urban Modern Hair, 234 S. Kalamazoo Mall, in downtown Kalamazoo on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. The party will offer participants an old fashioned clean shave while enjoying cans of Winter White and Two Hearted Ale. Victor Vague Photography will shoot “before” tin type portraits and a DJ will also perform. A complimentary shuttle service will transport guests from Urban to Bell’s Eccentric Café, courtesy of Maple Hill Auto Group. A concluding “Beers with Beards” celebration will be held at the Café, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., in downtown Kalamazoo, on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. That event will feature a beard and mustache competition, a DJ, dancing, “after” photos from Victor Vague Photography and of course, plenty of Bell’s beer. There will be a $5 suggested donation for admission at both events along with a $20 suggested donation for the shave. Proper apparel pop-up shops and representatives from the West Michigan Cancer Center will also be at both events.