Bell’s Beer
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.
The Eccentric Cafe:
On June 11, 1993, Bell's Brewery, Inc. became the first Michigan brewery to serve beer by the glass to the public. Their Eccentric Cafe offers customers a chance to taste many of their well known beers, as well as small batch brews that are not distributed outside of the pub. Visitors enjoy its warm atmosphere and spacious beer garden. The Eccentric also features interesting food, an extensive collection of art and live music Thursday thru Sunday. Complimentary brewery tours are given on Saturday afternoons. 269-382-2332.
Bell’s brands that you can find at your local Westside Liquor Superstore:
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.
Original Gravity: 1.05
Alcohol by Volume: 5.2%
Availability: Year round Porter:
A robust porter for all occasions. A blend of dark malts give this beer flavors of coffee and chocolate with subtle roasted notes.
Original Gravity: 1.055
Alcohol by Volume: 5.6%
Availability: Year round Kalamazoo Stout:
A full-bodied stout with plenty of roast flavor. Kalamazoo Stout is available year round, leading our vast portfolio of stouts.
Original Gravity: 1.063
Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%
Availability: Year round
Third Coast:
A golden beer brewed with pale malts. Large American hop additions contribute a crisp refreshing bitterness. A tribute to the Great Lakes, T.C.B. is a truly quaffable beer.
Original Gravity: 1.048
Alcohol by Volume: 4.8%
Amber Ale:
Our 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.
Original Gravity: 1.056
Alcohol by Volume: 5.8%
Availability: Year round
Two Hearted Ale:
India Pale Ale style well suited for Hemingway-esque trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and incredible floral hop aroma.
Original Gravity: 1.058
Alcohol by Volume: 7.0%
Availability: Year round
Best Brown Ale:
Rich brown ale perfect for the fall and winter. Plenty of malt character and smooth sweet finish give this brown ale its distinct character.
Original Gravity: 1.06
Alcohol by Volume: 5.8%
Availability: Late Fall and Winter
Cherry Stout:
A rich and powerful beer with tart cherry appeal, make this a fine stout.
Original Gravity: 1.082
Alcohol by Volume: 7.0%
Availability: Winter
Oktoberfest:
A coppery amber lager that showcases a full bodied, malty flavor that is balanced by a refreshing bitterness derived from fine noble hops.
Original Gravity: 1.056
Alcohol by Volume: 5.5%
Availability: Mid August
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