Homebrewing Tips

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. October 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. ian's deep water ipa Created By: Ian Gould Estimated OG: 1.072 Estimated ABV: 7% Estimated IBU: 50 Estimated Color: 42 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 10 pounds Maris Otter Malt 1 Pound Briess Flaked Barley 1 Pound Briess Bonlander Munich Malt 1 Pound Briess Midnight Wheat 1 Pound CaraRye 1 Ounce Citra Hops for 40 min. 1 Ounce Amarillo Hops at Flameout 1 Ounce Citra Hops at Flameout 1 Ounce Amarillo Hops Dry Hop 1 Ounce Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Barbarian A04 Yeast 5 gallons - Extract 3.3 pounds Pale Ale Liquid Malt Extract 3.3 pounds Briess Munich Liquid Malt Extract 2 Pounds Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 1 Pound Briess Midnight Wheat 1 Pound CaraRye 1 Ounce Citra Hops for 40 min. 1 Ounce Amarillo Hops at Flameout 1 Ounce Citra Hops at Flameout 1 Ounce Amarillo Hops Dry Hop 1 Ounce Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Barbarian A04 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

The winners of Bell’s 10th Annual Homebrew Competition were announced during the 11th Annual All Stouts Day at the Eccentric Café this past Sunday, Nov. 3. Three homebrewers placed out of the 122 entries submitted this year. First place went to Bill Blakeslee for his Imperial Coffee Blonde Ale. He will brew his recipe at our original brewery in Kalamazoo to then go on tap at the adjacent Café. Blakeslee will also head to the 2020 Great American Beer Festival in Denver as a guest of Bell’s and compete alongside a Bell’s brewer in the Pro-Am Competition. “This was another very solid year of homebrew entries. Once again there was no lack of off-the-wall and innovative recipe designs and execution,” said David Curtis, Bell’s General Store Operations Manager and competition organizer. Second place went to Adam Cagle for his Blueberry Lavender Gose. Third place went to Nick Rodammer  (2012 winner) for his dry-hopped Session Sour Ale with guava and sea salt. This year’s honorable mentions are (in no particular order): Andy Akers – British-inspired Ale with honey and ginger Travis Wasson: Kettle-soured, smoothie-style Gose with lactose, Himalayan sea salt, mango and peach puree Taylor Pomeroy & Scott Horton - Cherry Cream Ale David Beerens - Belgian Saison Joe Stanley - English Porter All were recognized during Sunday’s announcement and received a prize. From ingredients, to equipment to advice, the Bell’s General Store continues supporting the homebrew community that helped Larry Bell get his start before the brewery sold its first commercial pint. Originally founded as the Kalamazoo Brewing Co., the Bell’s General Store opened in 1983. Cheers and congratulations to everyone! Previous winners 2018: Apricot IPA - Matt MacQuillan 2017: Damson Plum Crisp Saison – Steve Vroegop 2016: Freedom of Peach, a hoppy saison brewed with peaches from Evan Monroe 2015: Bale So Hard, a farmhouse ale brewed with HBC 438 and Mosaic hops, from David Hellen 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

Homebrewing is our roots. Larry Bell began brewing in the early 80’s on a 15-gallon soup pot, and ran a homebrew supply store before opening the brewery. Today it’s still an important part of who we are. Here’s our collection of tips, clone recipes and advice. Homebrew tips: How to culture Bell’s house yeast from a bottle or can of our beer (link) How To Pick The Right Juice For Cider (link) Clone recipes: Oberon (link) Two Hearted (link) Expedition Stout (link) Hopslam (link) Roundhouse (link) Smitten (link) Quinannan Falls (link) Brew with our ingredients We sell homewbrew clone kits of our recipes, see them all here. If you don't feel like culturing our yeast yourself, we're selling it at our General Store. When we brew, we use the highest quality hops with the best aromas, oils and flavors for our beers.  We have now brought these hops to you with our Bell's Select brand -- these are the same hand-selected hops we use to make our own beers in the brewery. Homebrew Q&A How To Brew Consistent Batches (link) How To Split a Brew Day (link) Why Your Bubbler Isn't Bubbling (link) Stouts Q&A (link) Specialty Beers Q&A (link) More about homebrewing and Bell’s Our General Store has everything you need to start homebrewing or develop your next recipe. Check us out in person (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007) or online. If you have any questions about homebrewing or a specific brew, give us a call at (269) 382-5712 or drop us a note.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. October 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. audrey's winsome scotch ale Created By: Audrey Mills Estimated OG: 1.083 Estimated ABV: 7.9% Estimated IBU: 32 Estimated Color: 17 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 12.5 pounds Maris Otter Malt 2.25 Pounds Briess Victory Malt 1.25 Pound Crystal Medium Malt 1 Ounce Kent Goldings Hops for 60 min. 1 Ounce Fuggle Hops for 60 min. Imperial Tartan A31 Yeast 5 gallons - Extract 9.9 pounds Briess Golden Light Liquid Malt Extract 1 pound Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 2.25 Pounds Briess Victory Malt 1.25 Pound Crystal Medium Malt 1 Ounce Kent Goldings Hops for 60 min. 1 Ounce Fuggle Hops for 60 min. Imperial Tartan A31 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. September 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. Rob's mackipa Created By: Rob Mackay Estimated OG: 1.087 Estimated ABV: 8.5% Estimated IBU: 46 Estimated Color: 5 SRM 5 gallons - all grain 16 pounds Briess Brewer's Malt 2 pounds Pilsner Malt 1 oz. Azacca Hops for 60 min. 4 oz. Centennial Hops for 0 min. 2 oz. Mosaic Hops for 0 min. 4 oz. Centennial Hops Dry Hop 1 2 oz. Mosaic Hops Dry Hop 2 Imperial Flaghship A07 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 3.3 pounds Briess Golden Light Liquid Malt Extract 3.3 Pounds Briess Pilsen Light Liquid Malt Extract 4 Pounds Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 1 oz. Azacca Hops for 60 min. 4 oz. Centennial Hops for 0 min. 2 oz. Mosaic Hops for 0 min. 4 oz. Centennial Hops Dry Hop 1 2 oz. Mosaic Hops Dry Hop 2 Imperial Flagship A07 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. August 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. bill's "smash" Created By: Bill Gallup Estimated OG: 1.047 Estimated ABV: 5.3% Estimated IBU: 57 Estimated Color: 3 SRM 5 gallons - all grain 9 pounds Briess Brewer’s Malt 2 oz. Citra Hops for 20 min. 1 oz. Citra Hops for 0 min. 1 oz. Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Bell’s House Ale A62 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 6.6 Pounds Briess Golden Liquid Malt Extract 2 oz. Citra Hops for 20 min. 1 oz. Citra Hops for 0 min. 1 oz. Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Bell’s House Ale A62 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. July 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. danielle's "what a lovely ipa!" Created By: Danielle Herwig Estimated OG: 1.078 Estimated ABV: 7.8% Estimated IBU: 48 Estimated Color:7 SRM 5 gallons - all grain 7 pounds Maris Otter Malt 5 pounds Briess Brewer’s Malt 2 pounds Briess Flaked Oats 0.25 oz. Briess Caramel 20L Malt 1 oz. Nelson Sauvin Hops for 30 min. 0.5 oz. El Dorado Hops for 10 min. 0.5 oz. Citra Hops for 0 min. 1 oz. Galaxy Hops Dry Hop 1 oz. El Dorado Hops Dry Hop 0.5 oz. Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Juice A38 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 3.3 Pounds Briess Pale Ale Liquid Malt Extract 5 Pounds Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 2 pounds Maris Otter Malt 2 pounds Briess Flaked Oats 0.25 oz. Briess Caramel 20L Malt 1 oz. Nelson Sauvin Hops for 30 min. 0.5 oz. El Dorado Hops for 10 min. 0.5 oz. Citra Hops for 0 min. 1 oz. Galaxy Hops Dry Hop 1 oz. El Dorado Hops Dry Hop 0.5 oz. Citra Hops Dry Hop Imperial Juice A38 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. June 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. ethan's gilded belgae Created By: Ethan Barth Estimated OG: 1.083 Estimated ABV: 8.3% Estimated IBU: 34 Estimated Color: 6 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 14 pounds Pilsner Malt 2 pounds Briess Bonlander Munich Malt 1 pound Simplicity Belgian Candi Syrup 1 oz. Tettnang Hops for 60 min. 1 oz. Perle Hops for 30 min. Imperial Triple Double B48 Yeast 5 gallons - Extract 6.6 pounds Briess Pilsen Liquid Malt Extract 3.3 pounds Briess Munich Liquid Malt Extract 1 pound Briess Pilsen Dry Malt Extract 1 pound Simplicity Belgian Candi Syrup 1 oz. Tettnang Hops for 60 min. 1 oz. Perle Hops for 30 min. Imperial Triple Double B48 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here. [[{"fid":"9156","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]  

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. May 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. Cameron’s You Oat-A Know Created By: Cameron Spencer Estimated OG:1.066 Estimated ABV: 6.5% Estimated IBU: 40 Estimated Color: 24 SRM 5 Gallons - All Grain 9 pounds Maris Otter Malt 2 pounds Briess Flaked Oats 9 oz. Briess Chocolate Malt 6 oz. Briess Victory Malt 4 oz. Briess Roasted Barley 1 oz. Cascade Hops for 60 min. 1 oz. Fuggle Hops for 30 min. Imperial Darkness A10 Yeast 5 Gallons - Extract 6.6 pounds Briess Pale Ale Liquid Malt Extract 2 pounds Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 1 pound Maris Otter Malt 2 pounds Briess Flaked Oats 9 oz. Briess Chocolate Malt 6 oz. Briess Victory Malt 4 oz. Briess Roasted Barley 1 oz. Cascade Hops for 60 min 1 oz. Fuggle Hops for 30 min Imperial Darkness A10 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.

Our General Store team is very excited to launch a new Homebrew Recipe program. Each month, one of our store clerks will share one of their own homebrew recipes. March 2019's recipe is below. You can purchase the ingredients online and at our General Store (355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). We also have a batch of each recipe tapped in the store to try (while supplies last). If you have any homebrew questions, please reach out to the General Store. We’d be more than glad to help you. Give us a call at 269-382-5712 or drop us a note. Nick's Kolsch Ya Later? Created By: Nick Light Estimated OG: 1.046 Estimated ABV: 4.5% Estimated IBU: 25 Estimated Color: 4 SRM 5 GALLONS - ALL GRAIN 7 pounds Pilsner Malt 8 oz. Briess CaraPils Malt 1 pound Briess Bonlander Munich Malt 3 oz. Briess White Wheat Malt 1 oz. Kent Goldings Hops for 60 min. 1 oz. Saaz Hops for 10 min. Imperial Kaiser G02 Yeast 5 GALLONS - EXTRACT 5 pounds Briess Pilsen Dry Malt Extract 8 oz. Briess CaraPils Malt 1 pound Briess Bonlander Munich Malt 3 oz. Briess White Wheat Malt 1 oz. Kent Goldings Hops for 60 min. 1 oz. Saaz Hops for 10 min. Imperial Kaiser G02 Yeast Do you have a homebrew club? We’d love to take you on a behind the scenes tour, which includes a customized homebrewing demonstration from our General Store staff. Reach out to us. See more Homebrew recipes here.