Best Brown

With the changing of the seasons, you will see the return of Bell’s signature stouts and other fall offerings.   Best Brown will also have a brand new look when it arrives on store shelves and in coolers over the next couple of weeks. “It's a mix of the old and the new. It hearkens back to our original labels while paying homage to the heritage of the brand, a modernized nod to the history of Best Brown,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery said.  Best Brown (5.8% Alc. by vol.) is a smooth, toasty beer that offers hints of cocoa and caramel. Brewed with American hops, Best Brown is incredibly balanced and bridges the gap between lighter-bodied beers and malty stouts. It was first released in 1988 packaged in 22 oz. bottles. It featured a plain type label and then a winter pine cone. The owl first appeared in 1993 and has been on the label ever sense, represented in different styles throughout the years. Take a look at the history of Best Brown.  Best Brown is available in 12 oz. bottles (6-packs and 12-packs), 16 oz. cans (4-packs), 12 oz. cans (6-packs and 12-packs) and on draft.  Cooler, fall months will also welcome back other seasonal favorites (shipping and availability subject to change): Bell’s Octoberfest: already available at many locations including our Bell’s General Store.  Special Double Cream Stout: shipping now Expedition Stout: begins shipping at the end of August along with a special edition version celebrating Bell’s 35th Anniversary (very limited).  Third Coast Old Ale: shipping in mid-September Side Yard: a limited, specialty release shipping at the end of September.  Cherry Stout: mid-October Use our Beer Finder to locate Best Brown and other Bell’s beers near you or reach out to your local craft beer retailer for more information.  [[{"fid":"10611","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new."},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new."}},"attributes":{"alt":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new.","title":"Best Brown has a new look in 2020; a mix of old and new.","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]

Take pears to a whole new level with this delicious combination of beer and fruit. Ingredients 6 pears, peeled 2 bottles (24 oz.) Bell’s Best Brown 1 cup brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp whole cloves 1 tsp allspice berries In the kitchen Mix together the Best Brown and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Place pears and spices into a saucepan, and pour the beer and sugar mixture over them. Bring the pot to a boil and then lower to a simmer. While regularly checking on the pears and making sure that they stay submerged in the liquid, simmer the pears for about 15 minutes, or until a knife can easily slice through the pear. Serve warm or cold with a Best Brown and your favorite ice cream (butter pecan is recommended) or whipped cream!

These pork chops prove that a good thing is worth the wait. Ingredients 6-8 pork chops, preferably bone-in, about 8-10 oz. a piece 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 2 bottles (24 oz.) Bell’s Best Brown 1/2 cup molasses 9 cups water 3/4 cup salt 3 bay leaves 1 TBS coriander seeds 1 tsp whole cloves 1 TBS fennel seeds In the kitchen Bring all ingredients except pork chops (only 4.5 cups of the water) to a boil so that the salt dissolves. Add the other 4.5 cups of water (make sure it’s cold!) to brine and then refrigerate until fully chilled. In a sealable container, pour the brine over the pork chops and let them brine for 6-8 hours in the refrigerator. After the pork is done brining, rinse the seeds or leaves off, dry with a towel and grill, bake, or pan fry the chops to desired temperature. Enjoy with a pint of Best Brown Ale!

Just because you enjoy beer doesn't mean you can’t also enjoy candy -- in fact, candy and beer pairs perfectly. We asked around the brewery for everyone’s favorite candy and beer pairings and here’s what we’re enjoying this Halloween season. Kalamazoo Stout and Black Licorice Best Brown and Peanut M&Ms Oarsman and Snickers Roundhouse and dark chocolate (70% cacao is best, but find one that’s at least 60% and no more than 80%) Roundhouse and Sour Patch Kids Starbursts and Oarsman Third Coast Old Ale and chocolate covered cherries Amber Ale and Milk Duds Arabicadabra and peanut butter cups Check out more pairing suggestions from last year, including Two Hearted with Sour Gummy Worms and Expedition Stout with a Take 5. Share your favorite #bellsbeer and candy pairings with us  on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. [[{"fid":"5480","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]  

When fall approaches, that means it’s time for Best Brown's return. Best Brown was first released in 1988 and packaged. in 22 oz. bottles. It featured a plain type label and then a winter pine cone. The owl first appeared in 1993 and has been on the label ever since. There have been different styles, as seen in the gallery below, including one based on an acrylic painting by Kent Elliott of Black Lab Five.  Elliot said the painting was inspired by evenings in Marshall, Michigan, just east of Kalamazoo, when the beautiful autumn light rakes across the woods, lighting up a slight fog in the air. In 2016, Best Brown's label and packaging was given a refresh according to our new packaging architecture and updated Bell's logo. For its 2020 release, Best Brown underwent another packaging refresh.  “It's a mix of the old and the new. It hearkens back to our original labels while paying homage to the heritage of the brand, a modernized nod to the history of Best Brown,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery said.  Look for Best Brown beginning in August while supplies last. You can enjoy it in 12 oz. bottles (6-packs), 16 oz. cans (4-packs), 12 oz. cans (6-packs and 12-packs) or on draught with help from our Beer Finder. 

To celebrate the fall season, our chefs at the Eccentric Cafe have created some Best Brown inspired dishes. Enjoy! Fall Squash and Zucchini Fritters with Butter Pecan Ice Cream and Best Brown Caramel Sauce Ingredients for caramel sauce: 1 bottle of Best Brown 2 cups of brown sugar 2 cups heavy cream 1 stick of butter 1 tsp vanilla extract Procedure: In a sauce pan, combine sugar and Best Brown.  Whisk over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cream and butter.  Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it is thick and resembles caramel. Ingredients for fritters: 2 cups of any fall squash, roasted and pureed (pumpkin, spaghetti squash, acorn, butternut)* 2 cups shredded zucchini 3 cups of flour 1 cup sugar + 2 tbs for zucchini 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking pwder ½ tsp salt 3 eggs 1-2 qts canola oil (for frying) Powdered sugar for dusting *canned pumpkin will also work Procedure: In a large sauce pan, fitted with an oil thermometer (or a table top fryer), heat the oil to 350 F. Mix the shredded zucchini with 2 tbs of sugar and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.  The sugar will draw liquid out of the zucchini.  After 15 minutes, place zucchini in a towel or fine mesh strainer and squeeze as much liquid out as you can.  Reserve the liquid. While the zucchini is sitting, whisk together the squash and the eggs.  Add the 1 cup of sugar and mix until homogenous. Whisk together baking soda, baking powder, flour, and salt.  Add flour mixture to squash mixture. Add squeezed zucchini to the batter.  If batter seems too thick, add some of the zucchini water to thin it out.  It should have the consistency of loose cookie dough. Place the batter into the fryer a spoonful at a time.  Fry until the fritters look golden brown. Carefully remove fritters from the hot oil onto a plate lined with paper towel to soak up excess oil.  Dust fritters with powdered sugar. Place fritters in a bowl with your favorite ice cream (our chefs recommend butter pecan), and drizzle with the Best Brown caramel sauce. Check out our other Best Brown inspired recipes  

To celebrate the fall season, our chefs have created some Best Brown inspired dishes. Enjoy!  Brined Pork Chop with Apple Kohlrabi Slaw Ingredients for Brine: 1 gallon of water 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar 1 cup salt ½ cup sugar 2 sprigs rosemary 6 sprigs thyme 6 cloves of garlic, smashed 4-6 pork chops Procedure: In a pot large enough to hold a gallon of water add all of the ingredients, except the pork, and bring to a simmer.  Stir the brine to make sure the salt and sugar dissolve. Let the brine cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until chilled. Add pork to bring and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (no more than 6). Before cooking, pull pork out of brine, pat it dry with a towel, and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Cook pork with your desired method, our chefs recommend grilling (about 4-6 minutes per side). Apple Kohlrabi Slaw Ingredients: 2 Granny Smith Apples 2 Kohlrabi stemmed and peeled 1 tbs sugar ½ tbs salt Juice of 2 lemons 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil Procedure: Using a box grater, food processor, or mandolin, shred the apples and kohlrabi. Mix the apples and kohlrabi with the salt, sugar, lemon juice, and olive oil.  Let the mixture marinade until the apples and kohlrabi start releasing liquid. Refrigerate until ready to use. This dish can be enjoyed in many forms.  For the fall season, and with a Best Brown, mashed potatoes and browned butter with capers go along with it well. It can also be tasty and and a lighter over some herbed rice and the liquid extracted from the slaw. Check out our other Best Brown inspired recipes  

Best Brown Ale returned to Bell's Eccentric Café and General Store in September . To celebrate, our chefs pulled together some of their favorite recipes, both made with or to pair with Best Brown Ale.  They'll be hosting a number of these dishes as specials at the Café throughout September. Stop by to try them or grab some Best Brown Ale from our General Store to make them at home. Here's the first of our Best Brown Ale recipes for the season. Kale Salad with Roasted Fennel and Best Brown AlE Macerated Cherries Ingredients: 1 lb of cherries, stemmed, pitted 1 bottle of Best Brown Ale  ¼ cup of sugar 2 bunches of kale, stemmed, roughly chopped or a prepackaged kale salad mix 2 bulbs of fennel 2 oz of crumbled bleu cheese Procedure: Mix sugar and Best Brown together in a pan, heat until the sugar is dissolved. Pour beer over the stemmed and pitted cherries, let it cool to room temperature, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Cut the stalks and root off of the fennel bulb and cut the bulb into fork sized pieces. Mix the fennel with 1 tbs of canola oil and 2 tsp of salt. Roast the fennel in the oven at 400 F until the edges are nice and browned (about 10 minutes) Assemble the salad; mix your kale, cherries, and fennel together; top with bleu cheese and your favorite vinaigrette. CHECK OUT OUR OTHER BEST BROWN INSPIRED RECIPES  

Aluminum cans hold many benefits for beer drinkers, from their ability to go places that glass can’t to keeping out oxygen and light. Looking for a way to upcycle your Bell’s cans and celebrate the fall? Then this Upcycled Can Autumn Wreath is for you! We used an empty twelve pack of 12 oz. Two Hearted cans, two four-packs of Best Brown cans along with an EK tools leaf die cut punch to put together this fun, beer-centric? take on a seasonal wreath! Supplies Two Hearted & Best Brown Cans – rinsed and dried Scissors Can opener Fork Hot glue gun and glue sticks Flat floral and craft ring Large leaf paper punch (we used EK Tools Maple Leaf Large Punch) Ribbon Directions Rinse out your cans with warm, soapy water.  Carefully, remove top of can using a can opener.  After the top has been removed, use scissors to cut [vertically along the government warning?] down the government warning.  Remove the curved top of the can.  Next, remove the bottom. Use scissors to make clean cuts on all four edges of can to make a rectangle shape. Use caution while cutting the aluminum. Using the leaf paper punch, punch out leaves from your Best Brown and Two Hearted aluminum rectangles. Be careful with sharp edges. After you have punched out your leaves, you can use the edge of a fork to emboss leaf veins before you affix to your craft ring. This will also help the leaves curve in the right direction for your wreath. Tie a ribbon at the top of your craft ring to hang the finished wreath. After tying ribbon, use excess ribbon to create a loop to hang your wreath.  Begin applying leaves to craft ring using a hot glue gun. Apply the leaves in random orientation and layer to build out the shape and add depth.  After your leaves are applied, go through and fan out the edges of the leaves to create a textured look. Hang the wreath, crack open a Best Brown Ale and enjoy!

Fall is here and so is Best Brown. To celebrate, we’ve put together our Fall Bucket List (see below) highlighting some of the things we love about this time of year. We are also working with Untappd to offer a special Best Brown Badge – to unlock it you just need to check-in to one Best Brown between now and Oct. 21. You can also use the list below to enter our Best Brown Photo Challenge. Check-in to Best Brown on Untappd, upload a photo and be entered to win a Best Brown prize. Go above and beyond (hint: add in a can/glass/bottle of Best Brown) and we might up our prize game as well (see examples to the right). For more details, go here. Enjoy the season and cheers! Best Brown Bucket List Enjoy a Best Brown (and be sure to check-in via Untappd). Head to your local orchard, pick some apples. Gather some friends around a bonfire. Tailgate Go on a color tour. Pair your beer with some doughnuts. Make some S’mores … the more eccentric, the better. Watch a scary movie paired with or accompanied by Best Brown. Carve a pumpkin (bonus points for incorporating Bell’s into your design). Jump into a pile of leaves (repeat as necessary). Flaunt those flannels. Feast on Halloween candy like you’re a kid again. Take in the Harvest Moon. Bob for apples. Enjoy the last warmth of summer. Hop on a hayride. Conquer a haunted house. Take a hike (literally). Make some leaf art. Turn those apples you picked into caramel apples. Navigate a corn maze. Bake some pie using Best Brown. Attend a Bell’s beer dinner, special tapping or tasting. Roast pumpkin seeds Catch a football game, heck go out and throw around a football during half time too Get cozy (blanket optional). Make some beer infused chili. Make a scarecrow. Go on a fall camping trip. Throw a puffy vest party, and rock ‘em with pride! Buy a crazy gourd and try to cook with it. Make your own hot apple cider recipe. Rake leaves. If you rent, help someone else. Make the most of the extra hour you get when Daylight Savings Time ends.