Homebrewing

Proud Mitten, the winner of the 2013 Bell’s Homebrew Competition, will be tapped for the general public at 2 p.m. on June 15 at the Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo.  Dry hopped twice during fermentation, Proud Mitten straddles the line between an American Pale Ale and an IPA. Aromas of mango, pineapple and pine are very pronounced. David Lyman, of Kalamazoo, (photo at right) created the recipe that uses Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops as well as Michigan malt from the Bell’s Farm in Shepherd, Michigan. It was brewed at Bell’s original brewery, located adjacent to the Café. “Brewing with Zeke (Bell’s Specialty Brewer) was an amazing experience.  His knowledge on brewing science and practical brewing was something that I was looking forward to, and he didn't let me down. Zeke answered all my questions,” Lyman said. “I was dog tired at the end of the day, but one of the more memorable days of my life. I loved every minute of it,” he said. Coming in at 5.8 % and pouring a deep copper, Proud Mitten will also be available for those attending the American Homebrews Association Homebrew Conference in Grand Rapids on June 12 and 13. It will also be poured during a special tasting as part of Kyle Hollingsworth’s (of String Cheese Incident fame) Brewru Experience at this year’s Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan and at a future Kalamazoo Growler’s baseball game. Held annually beginning in September, the Bell’s Homebrew Competition is now entering its fifth year. Homebrewers receive five gallons of Bell’s wort for free to brew their entry. They are welcome to add their own malt, hops, spices and yeast. A panel of Bell’s employees and other brewing industry members judge the entries that are submitted. The next competition will kick-off on Sept. 13. The homebrewer who takes first place this year will have an additional unique and exciting opportunity. More details will be announced soon.

With a foundation firmly rooted in homebrewing, Bell’s Brewery is proud to be a part of the 2014 American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference, June 12-14, at the De Vos Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a Local/Craft Brewery Lounge Sponsor, a special Bell’s lounge will be available for all conference attendees to enjoy. Bell’s beer, including a special commemorative Michigan barleywine that is currently fermenting just for this conference, will also be on tap. Made with Michigan grown hops from Hop Head Farms in Hickory Corners and barley from the Bell’s Farm in Shepherd, Bell’s Beer Michigan will be bottled exclusively for conference attendees to take home. A variety of unique foods, including house smoked meats, from Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, will also be available to sample in the Bell’s Lounge. “We are always thrilled to support the homebrewing community. It’s a natural fit since that’s how we got our start,” said Laura Bell, Bell’s Vice President. “To have a gathering like this, practically in our backyard, is a great way to give a little back and get a chance to talk with so many of those who share our passion,” she said. Bell’s president and founder, Larry Bell, will also be in Grand Rapids for the conference and will be available to chat with homebrewers at the Bell’s Lounge during the first day of the conference. Later that night, Larry Bell will kick-off a multi-day tap event at Logan’s Alley, located a short distance from the conference. Two Hearted, Oberon, Black Note, Bourbon Barrel Aged Kalamazoo Stout, Berry Ale and many other Bell’s beers – 16 different beers in all plus a firkin – will be featured. A special Bell’s brunch will also be offered on the final day of the conference at Logan’s Alley. There’s still time to register and enjoy the largest annual gathering of homebrewers from all over. 55 different seminars 80 expert speakers—the rock stars of the homebrewing world Keynote address by the founders of Founders Brewing Co. A welcome reception and toast spotlighting Michigan’s finest commercial brews Club Night—wacky and tasty as ever Thousands of delicious homebrews Not sure what to expect? Have a look at last year’s photos, the first time attendee guide, and this video overview. CAPTION: Brewing our Michigan barleywine in our 50-barrel brewhouse in Comstock.