B1 beers

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting Notes: Bright, vibrant, dry-hopped ale; sour and funky  Dry-Hopped with 9 different hops from both the U.S. and Australia this wood-aged, vibrant beer is a sessionable, sour ale.  This beer was fermented inside a more than 30 year-old oak foeder (wooden fermentation vessel), where wild yeast imparted the sour and funky flavors.  The wild yeast fermentation comes from Brettanomyces or "Brett" yeast that grow naturally within the wood vessels. Although many breweries strive to keep this yeast out of their tanks, we embrace its presence in our foeders.  This beer, and many like it that come out of both our original brewhouse and Comstock Brewery, illustrate our commitment to artisanship and innovation.  Check out our Tap Cam to see if this beer is available at the Eccentric Cafe, or take a look at our Events Calendar to see if an event near you will be featuring it.  WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.    

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting notes: Modern Gose with kiwi; tart, quenching, fruity Bell’s Kiwi Club Gose is no ordinary Gose. Although it’s brewed with the classic Gose ingredients of coriander and salt, the non-traditional ingredient of kiwi was added to this recipe. In Goslar, Germany where this style originated in the 16th century, this sour wheat beer received its tart character from the spontaneous fermentation process. Nowadays we add the lactic acid bacteria to get a similar outcome. The addition of the kiwi compliments the spice and tart notes present from the coriander, salt and sour flavors, making it a refreshing beer for the summer. See if the beer is available on our tap cam, or at special events near you. Also, be sure to keep your eye out for more specialty beers from our B-1 brewery. WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting notes: Brown Ale with Brettanomyces, funky, fruity, light tart finish A part of both our sour program and Jazz series, Le Contrebassiste may be slightly different than when you first had it. Compared to previous versions of this beer that were fermented with French Ale yeast, the most recent version, currently on tap was fermented entirely with brettanomyces in foeders to add a complex and distinctive flavor. The original hop and malt characteristics remain with a unique and tart twist. The oak foeders used during the fermentation process are more than 30-years-old and were previously used for wine fermentation. It is in these foeders that the beer develops its sour characteristics. The complex, toasty malts and European hop varieties combine with brettanomyces fermentation in the oak foeders to create a complex beer with fruity and toasty notes with a slightly tart finish. See if the beer is available on our tap cam and keep your eye out for more specialty beers from our B-1 brewery. WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting notes: Rich and malty, excellent hop, malt balance This recipe is the latest version of a Double Brown Ale to be brewed here at Bell’s. Another great beer to enjoy in the fall, this Double Brown Ale has a higher ABV, 8.5%. Best Brown Ale to compare, has an ABV of 5.8%. Rich malt, along with sweet milk chocolate notes, are balanced with a nicely integrated hop bitterness. Double Brown Ale was brewed in downtown Kalamazoo at our original brewery and firkins are going to see some limited distribution. The Eccentric Café is the only place where you can sample both the firkin version and the draught version side by side. Keep an eye on our Event Calendar to see if firkins are coming to a bar or restaurant near you. WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.

Tasting notes: Rustic pale gold farmhouse ale with brettanomyces. Funky, fruity, bright tart finish. Le Batteur is a rustic pale gold farmhouse ale brewed with Brettanomyces, or Brett. It is fermented in a 30 year old foeder tanks originally used for wine making. The beer's delicate pale malts have a touch of raw wheat. The Tettnang hops combine with the Brett to create a complex beer with fruity and funky notes with a tart finish. Le Batteur was brewed and fermented downtown Kalamazoo in our original brewery. Keep an eye on our events calendar and beer finder to see if it's coming to a bar or restaurant near you. You should also be on the look out for Le Bretteur, a variation aged in French oak Chardonnay barrels.

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1. Tasting notes: Tropical, dank and stone fruit hop aroma, caramel malt Dry-hopped at a rate that is twice that of Hopslam, Imperial Red is brewed with 11 different types of hops. Much like a double IPA, it has a higher ABV and higher hop intensity than a red or Amber Ale. All of this clocks in to a 10.9% ABV. This beer was first brewed in 2014 and every year since then at our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo. It is going to see some limited distribution this year. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar and Beer Finder to see if it's coming to a bar or restaurant near you. WHAT IS A B1 BEER? B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and our experimental hop series (EXP) today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.

This post is part of an occasional series looking at the beers we develop at our original brewery, or B1.  Tasting notes: Resinous & tangerine hop notes w/ lemon verbena Boon Companion is a beer unlike any other and doesn't fit any single style. The beer was developed by our Vice President and co-owner, Laura Bell to explore the use of lemon verbena, a lemon-scented herb originally from South America, in beer. It is dry hopped with the herb, as well as lemon zest and Sorachi Ace hops.  It's ABV, color and IBU level are similar to an American Pale Ale, but doesn't fit the style because of spices and zest. It's unique blend of ingredients creates a pale, medium bodied, moderate but noticeable bitterness, dry hopped aromas, as well as complex integrated herbal and citrus notes from the dry hop, zest and verbena. All of this clocks in to a 5.9% ABV. Boon Companion was brewed in downtown Kalamazoo at our original brewery and is going to see some limited distribution. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar and Beer Finder to see if it's coming to a bar or restaurant near you. What is a B1 beer?  B1 is how we affectionately refer to our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, located adjacent to our pub, the Eccentric Cafe. This is where we got our start and where we still develop new recipes, experiment with new varieties of hops and brew small batches of specialty beers like The Wild One and Mango Habanero Oberon today. Most of the beers brewed there are typically only available on draught at the Cafe, but from time to time they do make their way to special events.