Bell's Brewery, Inc., founded by Larry Bell as a home-brewing supply shop in 1983, sold its first beer in 1985. Originally brewing in a 15-gallon soup kettle, the company grew rapidly on top of its first year's 135 barrels (BBL = 31 gal.) of production. Bell's Brewery has grown from a tiny operation renting part of a former plumbing supply warehouse, to a bustling, regional craft brewery that plays a role in changing the beerscape of our nation.
Although the micro-brewing, "craft brewing" revolution began on the West coast in the 1970s, the Midwest saw this brewing development much later. Bell's Brewery, Inc. stands as the oldest craft-brewer East of Boulder, Colorado. After struggling against the tide of a major-domestic beer market while producing robust, full-bodied ales, Bell's Brewery began to see the demand for craft-brewing grow dramatically. Originally self-distributed, Larry and crew brewed, bottled and delivered all of the beer to market for the company's first four years. By 1989, Bell's Brewery was shipping over 500 barrels annually and assigned its first wholesaler, while continuing to establish itself across the State of Michigan. Soon venturing into Indiana and Chicago, Bell's Brewery had continued growth and its Bell's brands were soon known across the Midwest for their unique style and flavor. Bell's Brewery has built a nationwide reputation as a creative and talented brewery.
2002 proved to be an intense and formative year for the company. While working hard to build a new production facility in order to provide for its ongoing growth, Bell's Brewery still managed to increase production over 15%, brewing and shipping over 31,500 barrels of beer. A fifty-barrel Steinecker brewhouse drives the new 32,000 square foot brewery, located in nearby Comstock, Michigan. It is complimented by several new fermenters and an integrated bottling hall that includes a new Krones filler. The "Krum Avenue plant" brewed and packaged its first beer in late December, 2002. The original Kalamazoo Avenue plant will remain active brewing beer for the Eccentric Cafe and specialty projects. Together, the two plants give Bell's Brewery, Inc. a potential annual capacity of close to 60,000 barrels of production. Currently, the brewery sells its beer across a nine-state Midwestern trade area, through a network of over thirty quality wholesalers.
Their ongoing goal is to brew thoughtfully, creatively and artistically, bringing an authentic and pleasant experience to all of their customers through their unique beers.

Bell’s beer that you can find at Westside Liquor:

Kalamazoo Stout: A full-bodied stout with plenty of roast flavor. Kalamazoo Stout is available year round, leading Bell’s vast portfolio of stouts.
Alcohol by Volume: 6.5%

Double Cream Stout: Sweeter and smoother than Kalamazoo Stout. A beer for special winter occasions. Great with chocolate desserts.
Alcohol by Volume: 7.5%

Cherry Stout: A rich and powerful beer with tart cherry appeal, make this a fine stout.
Alcohol by Volume: 8.5%

Porter: A robust porter for all occasions. A blend of dark malts give this beer flavors of coffee and chocolate with subtle roasted notes.
Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%

Amber Ale: Their flagship beer is made from mostly pale malt with some Munich and caramel malts. This gives it a slightly sweet flavor that is balanced by a mélange of American hops. The result is a deep copper color and rich flavor.
Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%

Pale Ale: A refreshing, blond colored pale ale. Bell’s pale ale is made almost exclusively from pale malt. It expresses a spicy floral hop aroma and taste.
Alcohol by Volume: 5.3%

Selections may vary per location.

Stop by your local WestSide Liquor store today and indulge yourself in any one of these finely crafted beers from Bell’s Brewery, your taste buds will thank you for it.