News

Two Hearted Ale is the Best Beer in America. Again. Bell’s Brewery is the Best Brewery in America. Again. For the fourth year in a row, we brought home top honors in the 2020 Best Beers in America survey conducted by Zymurgy magazine, a publication of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). Hopslam again joined Two Hearted on Zymurgy’s Top Ranked Beers List at No. 5. “Being honored with this again, is beyond words. With the year we’ve all had, this is a huge win we can all celebrate. To my staff, to our partners, to the homebrewers, to everyone who celebrates this beer; thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. Now running in its 18th year, the survey asks members to choose up to five of their favorite commercial beers available for purchase in the U.S. Two Hearted came in second to Russian River’s Pliny the Elder for seven straight years before claiming the top spot in 2017 (huge respect to our colleagues and friends at Russian River). We were the only brewery to have more than one beer in the Top 10. The top 10 results from this year’s Zymurgy survey are available at HomebrewersAssociation.org. The complete list will be published in the November/December 2020 print issue of Zymurgy. Cheers and thank you to the AHA, everyone who voted and to you for helping make this beer what it is. We also want to send a hearty congratulations to all of our fellow breweries on this list. So much incredible talent and we are humble and thankful to be among them.  Got a taste for homebrewing? Check out everything our General Store has to offer.  Want to celebrate in style? Find the nearest Two Hearted near you. 

The 10th Annual Bell’s Homebrew Competition Kick-off and Expo will be held this year on Sept. 14 at our Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo. Things to keep in mind if you decide to enter this year's 10th annual homebrew competition: Homebrewers should bring a sanitized vessel with them to transport their wort home. Buckets, carboys (please be extra careful handling glass carboys) and cornelius kegs are the most common vessels. You can leave them in your vehicle until it’s time to pick up your wort, but again, please sanitize your vessel prior to your pick-up time to help us make sure everyone gets their wort. New this year... sign up for a specialty homebrew tour and be one of the first to receive wort. Registration for the tour will open on August 14th at 9am. Limited spots available. Sign up here! Make sure to get there early, as supplies will be limited. Signing up early (starts at 11 a.m.) will help guarantee wort. We will start distributing wort at 1 p.m. You can send someone else to pick up your wort. We aren’t concerned with who takes it, just who turns in bottles to be judged in October. We do ask that you don’t bring friends or relatives who don’t brew, just so you can have an extra 5+ gallons of wort. We are relying on the goodwill of homebrewers to help each other out and share the wealth. Please help us make sure all who want to compete are able. You can add whatever you like to your recipe/submission. However, if your entry is chosen as the winner, we will have to be able to figure out a way to make your beer on a much larger scale. So please, take good, detailed notes of everything you do to the wort. We won’t know exactly how much we will end up with until the wort is made, but last year we were able to give 5 gallons of wort to nearly 200 homebrewers. We hope to be in that ballpark again this year, but things happen during wort transfers that can affect that number. We recommend arriving early to sign up and make sure you get your wort. Competition entries (four 12 oz. bottles) are due to the Bell’s General Store by 7 p.m., Sunday, October 27. For more on this year's competition, go here. 

We (Bell’s Brewery) and two of our beers - Two Hearted and Hopslam - were recognized again in this year’s Best Beers in America survey from Zymurgy magazine.  Two Hearted was No. 1 in the Top-Ranked Beers category and Bell’s in whole was named top brewery. This is the third consecutive year that Two Hearted has claimed this honor. It came in second to Russian River’s Pliny the Elder for seven straight years previously.  Hopslam Ale also placed in the top-ranked beers list tied at No. 7.  Now running in its 17th year, the survey asks members of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), which publishes Zymurgy, to choose up to five of their favorite commercial beers available for purchase in the U.S.  “Receiving this honor once, twice even was incredible. But a third time? I am speechless and incredibly thankful to the homebrewing community and everyone who has helped make this beer what it is today,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery.  The full Best Beers in America list—which includes complete rankings on all the top beers, breweries and more is available at HomebrewersAssociation.org. “Being selected as a winner for this esteemed list is no small feat. All of this year’s winners showcase exceptional flavors, expertly crafted by some of the greatest talent in the brewing industry,” said Gary Glass, director of the American Homebrewers Association. “I’d like to extend congratulations to all of this year’s winners and toast to their exemplary beers favorited by homebrewers and beer lovers alike.” The AHA announced the results of this year’s survey in a press release. “It is an honor to once again be awarded the top-ranking spots among so many great breweries and beers,” said John Mallett, Director of Operations here at Bell’s. “Only the best Centennial hops, a commitment to quality by the entire Bell’s team, and the splendor of our home state are all part of the beauty of Two Hearted Ale. There is one other vital component, the beer lover. We are truly humbled to be recognized by the finest palates in homebrewing.” The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 46,000 homebrewers. The Bell’s General Store has been supporting homebrewers in Kalamazoo and beyond since the 1980s and even, predates the brewery. Larry Bell founded the company originally as a homebrew supply store in 1983.  For homebrewers interested in replicating some of the winningest beers at home, the AHA provides clone recipes in Zymurgy and online, in the recipes section of the AHA website. Clone recipes for Bell’s beers, including Two Hearted, can be found here on our website. Kits can also be purchased on the Bell’s online store here.  

Can't make it to this year's Blue Ox Music Festival? Along with our friends at The Bluegrass Situation, we've got you covered.  Below, you can tune in live to JamGrass TV from the festival this Thursday through Saturday (June 13-15). Catch performances by Pert Near Sandstone, The Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth, Billy Strings, The Lil Smokies, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and more! Enjoy (preferably with your favorite Bell's beer)! Check out the schedule below.      Schedule Thursday, June 13 5:00 – 5:30 PM CT – Grassfed 5:30-6:30 PM CT — The Lowest Pair 6:30 – 7:00 PM CT – Grassfed 7:00-8:15 PM CT— The Lil Smokies 8:15-8:45 PM CT – Old Salt Union 8:45-10:00 PM CT— Horseshoes & Hand Grenades 10:00-10:30 PM CT – Old Salt Union 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM CT – The Infamous Stringdusters​​​​​​​ Friday, June 14 11:00-11:30 AM CT – David Huckfelt 11:30AM-12:30 PM CT — Pokey LaFarge (solo) 12:30-1:00 PM CT – David Huckfelt 1:00-2:00 PM CT — Sarah Shook & the Disarmers 2:00-2:30 PM – Barbaro 2:30-3:30 PM CT— Jeff Austin Band 3:30-4:00 PM CT – Barbaro 4:00-5:00 PM CT— The Del McCoury Band 5:00-5:30 PM CT – Cascade Crescendo 5:30-6:30 PM CT— Fruition 6:30- 7:00 PM CT – Cascade Crescendo 7:00-8:15 PM CT— The Travelin’ McCourys Tip Their Hat to Sam Bush 8:15-8:45 PM CT – The Larry Keel Experience 8:45-10:00 PM CT— Pert Near Sandstone 10:00-10:30 PM CT – The Larry Keel Experience 10:30 – 11:00 PM – Trampled by Turtles* *Trampled by Turtles will only be available for the first 30 minutes of their set on the JamGrass.TV live stream Saturday, June 15 11:00-11:30 AM CT – Dusty Heart 11:30 AM -12:30 PM CT — Them Coulee Boys 12:30-1:00 PM CT- Dusty Heart 1:00-2:00 PM CT— Peter Rowan’s Carter Stanley’s Eyes 2:00-2:30 PM CT – Feeding LeRoy 2:30-3:30 PM CT— The Earls of Leicester feat. Jerry Douglas 3:30-4:00 PM CT – Feeding LeRoy 4:00-5:00 PM CT— Charlie Parr 5:00-5:30 PM CT – The Wooks 5:30-6:30 PM CT – The Dead South 6:30-7:00 PM CT – The Wooks 7:00-8:15 PM CT— Billy Strings 8:15-8:45 PM CT – The People Brothers Band 8:45-10:00 PM CT— Pert Near Sandstone 10:00-10:30 PM CT – The People Brothers Band 10:30 PM – 12:00 AM CT – Railroad Earth *The Dead South will not be available on the JamGrass.TV live stream

Our brewery tour was voted one of the best in U.S., but that doesn’t mean we’re gonna stop looking for ways to take your favorite brewery tour to the next level.  We’ve been working very hard behind-the-scenes to do just that. Not only can you sample (for free) some of the freshest Bell’s beer you will ever taste, you can also enjoy some new, exclusive experiences.  Officially debuting June 1, our Comstock brew gallery now includes a beautiful 50-foot (and more than eight feet tall) timeline that will allow you to explore our 30+ year history in more detail and at your own pace. We’ve added a pop-up store that will be the only way to get exclusive Bell’s merchandise. You can also learn more about how a special piece of Michigan’s brewing history has become part of where we are going next, not to mention getting up close and personal to the soup pot that started it all.  All this and more: isn’t it about time you came back for another visit? Or your first? Reserve your free Bell’s tour now.  See you soon - cheers!

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce the upcoming release of its Leaves of Grass series; seven brand new Bell’s beers released about every two months inspired by Walt Whitman’s literary classic. The series will kick-off in late May 2019 with a German-inspired American IPA and conclude in May 2020. Each specialty beer will be limited and available on draft and in 12 oz. bottles, packaged in 6-packs.  Bell’s Leaves of Grass series is a celebration of Walt Whitman’s literary classic and one of Larry Bell’s favorites, “Leaves of Grass.” First published in 1855, Whitman’s book of poetry is a hallmark of American literature.  “Over the years, we’ve drawn inspiration from a variety of different sources from music to literature to the Great Lakes,” said Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery. “This series is just the latest example of how the arts have inspired us to create new and innovative recipes.” Each new beer will be named after and inspired by one of Whitman’s poems, while each recipe will compliment the seasonality of when each beer is released.  The release timing of the first beer does also coincide with Whitman’s 200th birthday.  Bell’s Planets Series, which debuted in 2014 and also featured seven brand new beers, celebrated another one of Larry Bell’s many passions, music. Inspired by Gustav Holst’s "The Planets,” the release included fan favorites such as Mars, a Double IPA that has since been re-released after The Planets concluded. Leaves of Grass picks up and continues the success of that series. Additional details will be shared at bellsbeer.com and on Bell’s social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) as they become available.  Leaves of Grass Series at a glance May 2019: Song of Myself  - German-Inspired American IPA (6.5% ABV) July 2019: The Prairie-Grass Dividing - Gose-Style Ale Brewed with Plum, Salt & Coriander (4.5% ABV) September 2019: Oh Captain! My Captain! - TBA  November 2019: To a Locomotive in Winter - TBA  January 2020: Song of the Open Road - TBA  March 2020: Salut Au Monde! - TBA  May 2020: Spontaneous Me - TBA 

We are proud to announce brand new looks for two of our oldest craft beers.  Beginning in April (2019), fans will start to see refreshed packaging for Bell’s Porter (5.6% ABV) and Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout (6% ABV). Inside will be the same Bell’s beer our fans have loved from the beginning.  “We’ve been brewing both of these beers since the late ’80s. Along with Amber Ale, these two were some of our first craft beers to hit the market, offering a flavorful alternative to what was pretty much the only option at the time (domestic, light beer).” said Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery.   Named after the city where it all began and where we still brew to this day, Kalamazoo Stout is one of Bell’s most classic recipes. Originally debuting in 1988, this smooth, full-bodied stout offers a blend of aromas and flavors of dark chocolate and freshly roasted coffee, balanced with a significant hop presence. Kalamazoo Stout is a mainstay in the Bell’s stout portfolio and a prefect craft beer to enjoy year-round.  Bell’s award-winning Porter bridges the gap between malty brown ales and heavily roasted stouts. Notes of chocolate, coffee and roasted barley are offset with just a slight hop bitterness. Bell’s Porter is another one of Bell’s darker, roastier offerings that can be enjoyed during the warmer months as well as during the colder ones.  Our Porter and Kalamazoo Stout are both available on draft and in 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs. Both beers are available year-round. 

We are incredibly proud to announce that our Brewery Tour has been named one of the top two in the country! As one of ten breweries nominated for USA Today’s 2019 10Best Reader’s Choice travel awards, your help  landed us the No. 2 spot on the list. The final Top 10 rankings can be found on the 10Best website now and will be shared soon by USA TODAY. We welcome tens of thousands of guests every year. The Eccentric Café and original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo and our main brewery seven miles east in Comstock, are destinations for craft beer fans from around the world. Our tours blend an extensive knowledge of Bell’s and craft beer with incredible storytelling. We couldn’t be prouder of this recognition, especially when it comes from our fans. There are still so many who have not made the trek from Kalamazoo to see this incredible space. As the 7th largest craft brewery in the U.S., we are very fortunate to have the best brewery tour in the Midwest, right here in our own back yard,” said Shelly Claflin, Bell’s Tour Manager. “We have even more exciting news to come. If you haven’t joined us for a tour yet, or even if you have, you’re going to want to make a trip. Stay tuned,” she added. “Bell’s Brewery has a long history of drawing visitors to Kalamazoo and their reputation has helped Kalamazoo become a beer destination,” said Renee Newman, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Discover Kalamazoo. "Bell's staff shares the eye-opening statistics, colorful history and scientific advancements of the brewery in a casual and educational presentation. It should also be noted, while many large breweries around Michigan and country charge a fee for tours, Bell's makes its tours free, which speaks volumes about the company's philosophy behind telling its story,” said John Liberty, general manager at West Michigan Beer Tours. About the Bell's Tour program Free tours (all ages welcome) are held Wednesday through Sunday at Bell’s main brewery in Comstock and on weekends at its original downtown Kalamazoo brewery. Each Comstock tour includes free samples for those 21 and up. Specialty tours are also offered throughout the year. Examples include a Hopslam and Two Hearted focused tour as well as special Reach for the Sun tours on Oberon Release Day. These specialty tours are limited and sell-out fast. Each Bell’s brewery tour covers the history of Bell’s and brewing throughout the years in addition to sustainability, packaging, ingredients, quality and more. Free tours can be reserved here.

We are proud to announce new distributor partnerships in the great states of Wyoming and Nevada! Six distributors will help bring Bell’s entire portfolio, as seasonally available, to Wyoming in April. Five distributors will help bring Bell’s entire portfolio, as seasonally available, to Nevada in June. These new distributors share our commitment to quality. In Wyoming, we will be working with Cheyenne Beverage, Inc., Fremont Distributing, Osprey Beverages, LLC, Tanager Beverages LLC, Western Distributing Co. and Western Wyoming Beverages, Inc. In Nevada, we will be working with Blach Distributing Co., Capital Beverages Inc., Morrey Distributing Company, Nevada Beverage Company and Valley Distributors Inc. “Wyoming has some incredible hot spots for craft beer similar to what we see here in our home state. Nevada has some incredible opportunities as well. Both states will help us fill out our western footprint,” said Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery. We added eight states to its distribution network in 2018: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and Colorado. Wyoming will bring the Bell’s distribution footprint to 40 total states; Nevada will bring the count to 41. We also distributes to Puerto Rico and Washington DC. Launch celebrations are being planned. Additional information will be announced as details are finalized. For more information and for updates, keep an eye here on the Bell’s website or join us on social media.  WYOMING About Cheyenne Beverage, Inc. Cheyenne/Laramie Beverage is a 4th generation family business that covers Southeast Wyoming with MIllerCoors, Constellation and a number of local and national craft brands. This company sold its first case of Coors beer in 1949 and once distributed the Coca-Cola brands dating back as far as the 1920s. This longstanding family business prides itself on having strong brands, excellent retail execution and a reputation of being highly involved in the communities they service. About Fremont Distributing Fremont Distributing was established in 1978 by Keith Asbell and the Asbell family still owns and operates the business today. A small distributor located in Riverton, Wyoming, Fremont employs 10 people and prides itself on quality products and great service. About Osprey Beverages, LLC Osprey Beverages is family-owned and operated in Jackson Hole, Wyoming since 1963. Osprey Beverages is a distributor of Anheuser-Busch and Constellation brands. Osprey also distributes the finest imported brands, craft beers, local micro craft beers and non-alcohol products. Osprey serves three counties including: Teton, Lincoln and Sublette, including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton National Park. Our mission is to provide exceptional customer service, while delivering only the highest quality products and experiences to our customers. Osprey Beverage is committed to supporting its community, by contributing and partnering with many non-profit organizations benefiting the arts, education, and conservation. Osprey Beverage is a proud co-challenger sponsor of the Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities. Osprey is also focused on preventing underage drinking, drinking and driving, and promotes responsible drinking among adults. About Tanager Beverages LLC On the East Boundary of Yellowstone National Park lies the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming. This is the land Tanager Beverages proudly distributes the finest beers in the industry to the residents of Northwest Wyoming. Tanager Beverages is small distributor that prides itself on selling the highest quality products and maintaining a standard of excellence in our service so that we will exceed our customers’ expectations. It is our vision to be viewed by our customers and peers as the sales and service leaders in the beer category. Tanager Beverages was founded in 1997 and is owned and operated by Joe Kondelis. Currently the Tanager Beverages portfolio includes over 40 suppliers and over 300 brands from across the US and Europe. As the dynamics of the beer industry has changed so has the way Tanager Beverages approaches the market. It is essential for us to continue to evolve to meet the complexities of the industry. We are very team and family oriented and our employees from day one must exhibit a passion for excellence in their field. This culture has made us a market leader in both sales and service. Tanager Beverages proudly supports many community programs and initiatives and has always been a very community driven company. The health of our market is very important to us and our business strategies and approach to market reflects that. About Western Distributing Co. Western Distributingis a family owned & operated business located in Casper WY. Founded in 1950, and purchased by the Klungness family in 1987. Western is highly committed to customer service, quality, & creating unique opportunities for our employees, customers & suppliers. Western is excited to partner with Bell's Brewery, an amazing company that shares our passion for quality, family, and of course beer. About Western Wyoming Beverages, Inc.: Western Wyoming Beverages is a family owned and operated company operating in Southwest Wyoming. Western Wyoming Beverages distributes beverage products from over 50 local and national suppliers. The company has been locally owned and operated for over 49 years during which time it has built a reputation for its reliable service, friendly team, and giving back to the community. NEVADA About Blach Distributing Co. Blach Distributing is a full-line beverage wholesale distributor serving retail outlets in Northern Nevada since 1974. Our 300+ retail customers include Bars, C-Stores, Supermarkets, Mass Merchandisers and Casinos. Our service area covers over 59,000 square miles with over 100,000 residing in Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, Nye (Partial) and Washoe (Partial) Counties. This territory extends from the Utah to California borders running along Idaho and Oregon to the north. Blach Distributing Company represents many beverage Suppliers and their products. Product lines include beer, wine, liquor and soda. Our primary focus is in the Beer Category with many Craft, Import, and Domestic Beers to choose from. About Capital Beverages Inc. Capital Beverages is a 3rd generation family owned beer/wine and spirits distributor proudly serving the Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Minden/Gardnerville, Virginia City areas among others since 1937. About Morrey Distributing Company Joe and Esther Morrey started Morrey Distributing Company in 1954 in humble beginnings in Reno, NV distributing Hamm's Beer. Just a few years later, we bought the Anheuser-Busch franchise, expanding and relocating our business to Terminal Way in Reno and having to expand even more, we built another warehouse next door. With increasing sales and A-B increasing their different lines and picking up new brands; a larger warehouse was needed, so onto another move in Reno. One more move and here we are today at newest location in Sparks, NV with property available to expand. After Joe's passing, his son John took the reins and his Dad's philosophy of giving back to the community. Morrey Distributing is now associated with most community events; golf tournaments for charities, University of Nevada, Reno (all sports events), MDA and a favorite sponsorship being exclusive with the Sparks Nugget "Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off". Morrey Distributing Company has been doing business for over 60 years. The quality of the service to the customers, the care the shop gives the vehicles and the warehouses excellence in guarding and caring for the prized possession ... Beer ... has earned Morrey Distributing the coveted Ambassadors of Excellence Gold Award given out by Anheuser­Busch in 2012 and a Silver Award in 2013. Morrey Distributing Company covers all of Reno/Sparks, Nevada and venturing into Storey County. Population: 321,291. Serving the area with 12 delivery trucks, 16 sales and merchandising vans and 10 event vehicles. About Nevada Beverage Company Nevada Beverage is a Family Owned and Operated, Independent Beverage Wholesaler in Las Vegas. Founded in 1948 by Pat Clark Sr. Nevada Beverage has built a portfolio of world-class products including domestic and craft beers as well as an extensive non-alcoholic selection. As a leading wholesaler in Las Vegas we pride ourselves on quality from our brands to our people and we continue to strive for excellence. About Valley Distributors Inc. Valley Distributors is a family owned and operated business located in Fallon, Nevada. Valley has been distributing beer in central Nevada since 1974, covering Churchill, Mineral, northern Lyon, southern Washoe, and northern Nye counties. Valley carries a complete selection of craft, domestic and imported beers creating a portfolio to service every customer’s needs. Valley is highly selective in which brands they carry making sure demand, quality, and freshness are the highest priority. Valley prides itself on being the only local distributor to central Nevada, providing superior customer service to the area we cover.

Our very own Walker Modic, Environmental & Social Sustainability Manager, here at Bell’s has been named the new co-chair of the Brewers Association (BA) Sustainability Subcommittee. Modic will join co-chair Katie Wallace of New Belgium Brewing in leading the BA’s efforts to help brewers maintain a healthy balance between environmental stewardship and economic vitality. Here at Bell’s, Modic oversees environmental engineering, environmental compliance, and byproduct and natural resource utilization. Before joining Bell’s in 2013, he was the head brewer at a small regional brewpub in Cambridge, Mass. Prior to starting a career in the beer industry, he worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, and received the EPA’s award for Scientific and Technological Achievement for his research on the effects of Atrazine. He holds a MA in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and a MS in Molecular and Structural Biochemistry from North Carolina State University. “We’re very excited to welcome Walker into this leadership role,” said subcommittee co-chair Wallace. “Through his graduate work in sustainable brewing and his on-the-ground experience at Bell’s, Walker has a deep understanding of the environmental issues facing craft brewing today.” “I’m thrilled to have a new opportunity to support and perpetuate the work Katie and the BA’s sustainability subcommittee have done,” Modic said. “Katie and the BA are standard-bearers of sustainable practices that I’ve long admired. I can’t wait to work with them and further the long-term viability of our membership’s businesses.” The Sustainability Subcommittee serves the BA’s purpose by helping current members and future generations brew the highest quality beers in a manner that strengthens the value of their breweries. With its benchmarking tools and reports and sustainability manuals, the subcommittee encourages conscientious brewing practices that will ensure the long-term success of the craft beer industry. Re-published with permission from the Brewers Association.