Beer Releases

Hopslam, No, Yeah, Flamingo Fruit Fight… they were just the beginning. Take a look at what 2021 has to offer below. (Here is a PDF version for a better look and to save for future reference.)   A couple of highlights: Not one, not two, but five different variations on our Flamingo Fruit Fight (more here)! New wheat beers! 3 more Double IPAs to look forward to (yes, we’re going back to Mars).  Juicy Gossip will be back, but this time in 6-packs and on its own. Oberon Release Day is on March 22 this year.  As always, we reserve the right to add a few more surprises throughout the year. We should also point out that this calendar does not include releases from our General Store Exclusive Series.  Keep an eye here on our website and social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for more. Cheers! Are you a Bell's Frequent Flighter? Help us fill in those missing pieces on our calendar with your feedback. Our BFF group helps us decide on everything from new packaging, to new releases and so much more. Sign-up here. 

Two flamingos walk into a bar… our latest specialty release is one of the things that happened next. Originally released under the “Larry’s Latest” branding, a nod to the spirit of innovation and experimentation that started in 1985, Bell’s Flamingo Fruit Fight (5% Alc. by Vol.) is back for another round. Tart and refreshing, this specialty release started shipping last week in 12 oz. bottles, packaged in 6-packs, and on draft. It will be available across our distribution footprint but will be limited. Flamingo Fruit Fights is brewed with passionfuit and lime zest. Those ingredients are the real stars of this beer, working in a synergistic way to drive tropical and citrus aromas and flavors. “Flamingo Fruit Fight has built up quite a following. We’ve done some experimentation on a smaller scale with our General Store Exclusive releases and this year, we’re ready to add a few new rounds to the series,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery said. Coming up in 2021, we have four additional variations on the original Flamingo Fruit Fight planned. May Lemon Lime Flamingo Fruit Fight (4.8% Alc. by Vol.): a Gose-style ale brewed with lemon, lime, sea salt and coriander. Tequila Barrel-Aged Flamingo Fruit Fight: the “original” Fruit Fight with a hint of tequila from barrel-aging for a refreshing summer cocktail-like beer. August Raspberry Flamingo Fruit Fight October Pomegranate Flamingo Fruit Fight With the exception of Tequila Barrel-Aged Flamingo Fruit Fight, all will be released in 6-packs (12 oz. bottles) and on draft. The barrel-aged version will be packaged in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles. For the latest on these and other Bell’s releases, make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We are proud to announce an incredible beer lineup coming to coolers, store shelves and draft lines in 2020. The first few days of January saw the packaging and release of Hopslam Double IPA. Coming in at 10% ABV, Hopslam was again released in 12 oz. cans, packaged in 6-packs, on draft and in 5L mini-kegs. New for this year, is a brand new Hopslam mini-keg design. Cans and mini-kegs are limited, and have already arrived on many store shelves and coolers. Each batch is packaged and shipped as quickly as possible so this beer can be enjoyed fresh. The most anticipated release for the year is the brand new, low-calorie, Light Hearted Ale. A Lo-Cal IPA, this member of the Hearted family shares many of the characteristics of our award-winning Two Hearted Ale. At 3.7% ABV and only 110 calories (per 12. oz serving), Light Hearted is now shipping (and in many locations, arriving) in 12 oz. cans, packaged in 6-packs and on draft. Twelve-packs of 12 oz. cans will also ship in February in Michigan. “This is going to be another exciting year for us. In addition to our release calendar, I am also very proud to celebrate our 35th anniversary. Funvitational (2020) will be a huge part of that milestone and we’ll have other ways to celebrate throughout the year,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. Bell’s Official Hazy IPA will also be back for its second-year after an incredible reception by fans and beer writers in 2019. It is available now on draft and in 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs. Twelve packs are also an option. Seasonal beers, Best Brown and Bright White, will both return (Bright White is available now through March or while supplies last). Oberon, Bell’s summer flagship American Wheat, will return on March 23 with midnight release parties, special tappings and more (available until September). In May, Oberon limited mini-kegs will begin shipping featuring a brand new design as well. Returning specialty offerings include: Flamingo Fruit Fight (Tart Ale brewed with passionfruit and lime zest), Octoberfest (Märzen), Special Double Cream Stout (Sweet Stout), Expedition Stout (Russian Imperial Stout), Third Coast Old Ale (Barley Wine), Cherry Stout, Christmas Ale (Scotch Ale) and Lampshade Party Ale (a Double IPA previously only released in 2018). Double Two Hearted (11% ABV) will return in August. New to the Bell’s specialty release lineup is another Flamingo Fruit Fight variation; a Gose-style Ale brewed with lemon and lime. Cans and kegs of Lemon Lime Flamingo Fruit Fight will ship in July. Incessant, a Double New England-Style IPA, will be released in 16 oz. cans, packaged in 4-packs and on draft for a wider release in May. Incessant was previously a Bell’s General Store Exclusive. With Incessant’s release this spring, Bell’s will offer four different Double IPAs for a wide release in 2020 in addition to the year-round Hopsoulution (Great Lakes state area distribution only). Bell’s Leaves of Grass series, seven beers each inspired by a different Walt Whitman poem, will conclude in 2020 with three remaining offerings. Song of the Open Road, a Winter Warmer Ale, is available now. Salut au Monde will ship in March and Spontaneous Me will conclude the series in May. The General Store Exclusive Series will also continue in 2020 with a variety of new beers and possibly some old favorites returning from Larry Bell’s Recipe Library. That includes yet another member of the Hearted family, Black Hearted, which will debut in “celebration” of Valentine’s Day. Black Hearted will only be available on draft at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe and in 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs at the Bell’s General Store. “Now, this isn’t all we have lined up for 2020. We always like to keep a few things close to the vest. We’ll have plenty more to share in due time,” Bell said. Bell’s fans should save Sept. 12, 2020 for Bell’s Funvitational Beer Festival. This will be Bell’s second Funvitational and will feature a variety of breweries from across the globe at Homer Stryker Field, home of the Kalamazoo Growlers, in downtown Kalamazoo. The original Funvitational was held in 2015 in celebration of Bell’s 30th Anniversary. Additional details will be announced at a later date. Keep an eye here on the Bell’s website and its social media channels for the latest information and release updates. [[{"fid":"10181","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. "},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. "}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. ","title":"Bell's 2020 release calendar is now available. ","height":814,"width":1200,"style":"margin: 10px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]] Download a PDF of Bell's 2020 release calendar.  Bell’s 2020 release calendar at a glance Year-round Two Hearted (7% ABV), Light Hearted (3.7% ABV), Official Hazy IPA (6.4% ABV), Lager of the Lakes (5% ABV), Amber Ale (5.8% ABV), Kalamazoo Stout (6% ABV), Porter (5.6% ABV) and Hopsoulution (8% ABV - MI, WI, IN, IL, OH, MN only). Seasonal Bright White (5% ABV), Oberon (5.8% ABV and Best Brown (5.8% ABV) Specialty Hopslam, Flamingo Fruit Fight (5% ABV), Oberon 5Ls, Incessant (8.5% ABV), Flamingo Fruit Fight Lemon Lime Gose (4.8% ABV), Octoberfest (5.5% ABV), Special Double Cream Stout (6.1% ABV), Expedition Stout (10.5% ABV), Third Coast Old Ale (10.2% ABV), Cherry Stout (7% ABV), Christmas Ale (7.5% ABV) and Lampshade Party Ale (9% ABV). Leaves of Grass Song of the Open Road (8.5% ABV), Salut au Monde and Spontaneous Me General Store Exclusives Black Hearted (7% ABV) and many others TBA.

A new year is in full-swing and we have a number of incredible releases planned for 2019. First up is Hopslam. Cans, kegs and mini-kegs started shipping on Jan. 2. Events and special tappings continue as fresh Hopslam make its way to its final destinations after leaving the brewey. Following Hopslam was the release of Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight, a new tart Fruit Ale brewed with passionfruit and lime zest. Bottles, cans and kegs have started shipping and begun appearing on store shelves and on tap. Flamingo Fruit Fight is the latest packaged release in our Larry’s Latest series, beers that highlight and continue the innovation that Larry Bell started in 1985 and continues here at the brewery to this day. In February, Bell’s Official Hazy IPA will start heading out as our newest year-round offering. Cans, bottles and kegs will head to all of its markets followed closely by the return of summer and Oberon Ale! This year’s Oberon Release Day is set for March 25. Oberon mini-kegs featuring a brand new design for 2019 will follow later this summer. “This is just a preview of coming attractions, though not all of them are ready to share just yet. We still have a few more surprises to come,” Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery said. “A few years ago we debuted The Planets Series, beers inspired by the work of Gustav Holst. This year, we’re going to introduce a new series inspired by the arts, but this time a little closer to home.” “Our Leaves of Grass series will kick off later this year, we’ll have more to share on that soon,” he added. 2019 will also see the return of Sparkleberry and, after a two year hiatus, Smitten will also return in bottles and on draft. Debuting in bottles for the first time will be the highly sought after Double Two Hearted, everything our fans love about our classic Two Hearted Ale, but in a Double IPA. It will ship in July. Also coming in 2019 will be new packaging options, some new looks for Bell’s classics and an impressive lineup of Bell’s General Store exclusives, including 750 mL bottles, that are a direct result of recent investments in our innovation pipeline. Consecrator Doppelbock and Quinannan Falls will both be bottled on our Specialty Line for release at the General Store as well. Hopsoulution, a Double IPA that was added to our year-round lineup for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin last year will continue to be available in those states with the addition of Minnesota in April. It will remain a specialty release for the rest of our distribution footprint. Other returning favorites include Third Coast Old Ale, Expedition Stout, Octoberfest, Arabicadabra Coffee Milk Stout and much more. For the latest news and updates, stay in touch with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Untappd), by subscribing to our email newsletter and coming back right here. 2019 releases at a glance (Specialty releases will be limited and availability will vary from area to area.)   January Hopslam Double IPA (10% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs, 5L mini-kegs and draft Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight (5% ABV) - 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs, 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft February Official Hazy IPA (6.4% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (Michigan only), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft March Oberon Ale (5.8% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs (NEW) and 12-packs, 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft April Hopsoulution Double IPA* (8% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft May Smitten Ale (6% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs and draft Pooltime Ale (5% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and draft 5L Oberon mini-kegs First release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA). June Sparkleberry Ale (9% ABV) - 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft) July Double Two Hearted (11% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 4-packs and draft Second release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA). August Special Double Cream Stout (6.1% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs September Best Brown Ale (5.8% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (NEW), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft Octoberfest Beer (5.5% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft Expedition Stout (10.5% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft Third Coast Old Ale (10.2% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft Third release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA). Returning Double IPA (TBA) October Arabicadabra Coffee Milk Stout (5.5% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft November Winter White Ale (5% ABV) - 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (NEW), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft Christmas Ale (7.4% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, draft Cherry Stout (7% ABV) - 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft Fourth release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA). *Hopsoulution is a year-round release for a handful of Bell’s states and a specialty release for the majority of Bell’s distribution area.

We are honored to celebrate another independent craft brewery’s 30th Anniversary. Tim Gossack, Bell’s Production Manager, was one of eight former Deschutes brewers invited back to Bend, Oregon to brew a special, unique one-time collaboration brew to help celebrate Deschutes Brewery’s incredible milestone. Schwarzbier is a Dark Lager with an ABV of 6.4%. This limited release will be available on draught and in 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs. Deschutes’ Founder, Gary Fish takes pride in the success of the collaboration brewers after their time at Deschutes because they all, continue to make major contributions to the craft industry. “I’m glad they are pursuing their passion and have all been successful at it,” said Fish. “It speaks to their talent and perseverance. Every single one of them makes really good beer, and we’re proud of all of them.” Tim was Head Brewer at Deschutes from 1990 until 1996.  The recipe is a modified version of a recipe he created after leaving Deschutes. “Deschutes Brewery launched my career in brewing and I have been forever grateful to have worked there. I was hired in 1990 for my science background and cursory knowledge of beer brewing and beer styles, Gossack said. “But, I think I was truly hired for my strong back and hardworking farmer boy background. I could shovel mash, move full kegs and carry two bags of grain up the stairs at a time!” The beer will begin shipping to Deschutes’ distributors in late August in states that Bell’s does and does not currently distribute to. The can will include the Bell’s logo and the story of this collaboration beer. The Deschutes Brewery 30th anniversary collaboration “family tree” also includes John Harris, Deschutes Brewery’s original brewmaster with Ecliptic Brewery, Frank Appleton a brewing consultant responsible for creating the recipes of Deschutes’ beloved brands such as Black Butte Porter and Cascade Golden Ale, Tony Lawrence from Boneyard Brewery, long time brewer Mark Vickery, Paul Arney from The Ale Apothecary and Cam O’Connor and Larry Sidor now with Crux Fermentation Project. [[{"fid":"7456","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]