Homebrewing

The Brewers Association reacted quickly to the cancellation of events and brought us CBC Online (a virtual version of their annual industry gathering) back in April.   They have taken what they learned there to bring us Homebrew Con Online! For 42 years, Homebrew Con (and the American Homebrewers Association) have brought homebrewers from all over the globe together with experts in the field and supplies to enhance homebrewing skills (and have a great time).  While homebrewers cannot share their beer together this year, the BA will host three days of seminars, demonstrations and meet-ups along with a virtual expo and happy hour for attendees to enjoy. Our Bell’s General Store is excited to have a booth as part of their virtual expo and host our very own live 20-minute showcase followed by a Q&A session. We are very excited to continue to share the story of our homebrew roots here at Bell’s as well as talk about the high quality homebrew kits and ingredients we have to offer.  In addition, we are very proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Closing Ceremony and Awards Show at the end of this year’s online conference. Larry Bell got his start homebrewing (homebrew roots!) and this marks our seventh year partnering with the AHA. So, what are you waiting for? (Fun fact: did you know that AHA members get 10% off every homebrew purchase at our General Store?) The cost to attend Homebrew Con Online is $99 for AHA members and $132 for new members (includes a 1-year digital AHA membership). More about Homebrew Con Online is available here.

Never brewed your own beer? Over the next couple of weeks, Shelly, our Tour Manager, will be taking us all on a journey of her own as she learns to #homebrew. Follow along here and on social media and #StayInspired, #StayAtHomebrew.  New to homebrewing? From ingredients to equipment, our General Store has everything you need to get started. Not new, but looking for some more guidance, clone recipes, tips or tricks? Check this out. Looking for some recipe inspiration? See what recipes our Store Team have designed.  Episode 1: Meet Shelly and take a trip to the Bell's General Store Episode 2: Unboxing a Bell's Official Clone kit Episode 3: Brew Day Episode 4: Dry-hopping, fermenting and bottling Episode 5: Tasting! [[{"fid":"10549","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. February 2020'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. chase's mulled winter's night Created By: Chase Pearce Estimated OG: 1.096 Estimated ABV: 9% Estimated IBU: 54 Estimated Color: 50 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 11 pounds Briess 2-row Brewer's malt 3 pounds Briess White Wheat Malt 1 pound Faked Barley 1 pound Pale Chocolate Malt 1 pound Carafa Special III Malt 1 pound Briess Caramel 40L Malt 8 ounces Briess Roasted Barley Malt 4 ounces Chocolate Malt 2 ounces Fuggle Hops 60 min. 1 ounce Magnum Hops 60 min. Impearial Darkness A10 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 6.6 pounds Briess Golden Light LME 3.3 pounds Briess Bavariant Wheat LME 1 pound Flaked Barley  1 pound Pale Chocolate Malt 1 pound Carafa Special III Malt 1 pound Briess Caramel 40L Malt 8 ounces Briess Roasted Barley Malt 4 ounces Chocolate Malt 2 ounces Fuggle Hops 60 min. 1 ounce Magnum Hops 60 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. January 2020'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. patrick's it's a hazy one Created By: Patrick Sexton Estimated OG: 1.076 Estimated ABV: 7.4% Estimated IBU: 44 Estimated Color: 7 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 10 pounds Briess Pale Ale Malt 2 pounds Briess CaraPils Malt 2 pounds Flaked Oats 1 pound Briess White Wheat 1 ounce Cascade Hops 15 min. 2 ounces Centennial Hops at Flameout 2 ounces Citra Hops at Flameout 2 ounces Citra Cryo Hops Dryhop Imperial Citrus A20 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 6.6 pounds Briess Golden Light LME 2 pounds Briess CaraPils Malt 2 pounds Flaked Oats 1 pound Briess White Wheat 1 ounce Cascade Hops 15 min. 2 ounces Centennial Hops at Flameout 2 ounces Citra Hops at Flameout 2 ounces Citra Cryo Hops Dryhop Imperial Citrus A20 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. December 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. collin's placid porter Created By: Collin Banner Estimated OG: 1.061 Estimated ABV: 5.6% Estimated IBU: 28 Estimated Color: 44 SRM 5 gallons - All Grain 6 pounds Maris Otter Malt 2 Pounds Briess Bonlander Munich Malt 1 pound Chocolate Wheat Malt 12 Ounces Flaked Oats 12 Ounces Briess Roasted Barley 8 Ounces Briess Caramel 20L Malt 8 Ounces Lactose Sugar 1 Ounce Cascade Hops for 60 min. Imperial Juice A38 Yeast 5 gallons - extract 3.3 pounds Pale Ale Liquid Malt Extract 2 pounds Briess Golden Light Dry Malt Extract 1 Pounds Maris Otter Malt 1 pound Chocolate Wheat Malt 12 Ounces Flaked Oats 12 Ounces Briess Roasted Barley 8 Ounces Briess Caramel 20L Malt 8 Ounces Lactose Sugar 1 Ounce Cascade Hops for 60 min. 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. 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.