Best Brown

Fall is soon approaching and it means it’s time for Best Brown Ale, our fall seasonal. 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. The owl painting we have today on the front of 12 oz. bottles and 16 oz. cans was 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. “There's nothing quite like that autumn light,” Elliott said in 2013. “This is that moment when all the deer, turkeys, coyotes, squirrels and chipmunks have paused (maybe to listen) — and the silence is broken by the soft sound of a distant owl echoing through the hardwoods.” Look for Best Brown in 12 oz. bottles and 16 oz. cans and on draught. Locate it near you using our Beer Finder. #AutumnsBestColor

Looking for a new way to bring Bell's beer into your kitchen? The recipe below features our fall seasonal, Best Brown, gorgonzola cheese and hanger steak. Tofu can easily be substituted for a vegetarian version. Enjoy. Gorgonzola Steak Wrap Makes 4 to 5 wraps INGREDIENTS   Steak Marinade 1 cup Best Brown 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup tamari 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 2 shallots-minced 1 tbsp brown mustard 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme-minced 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary-minced 1/2 tbsp roasted garlic-minced 1 tsp black pepper Red pepper flakes 4 (6 oz) hanger steaks Gorgonzola Sauce 2 cups heavy cream 4 oz Gorgonzola cheese-crumbled 1 tsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 dash hot sauce 1 dash black pepper The Wrap 2 cups arugula Thin sliced red onion 1 jar roasted red peppers, sliced INSTRUCTIONS   Steak Marinade 1. Combine all ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl, mix well 2. Put the steaks in an airtight container 3. Pour the marinade over the steaks 4. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours Gorgonzola Sauce 1. Reduce the heavy cream by half over medium to high heat In small stock pot 2. Whisk in the cheese 3. Remove from heat when cheese is melted 4. Whisk in remaining ingredients The Wrap 1. Remove steaks from marinade and lightly pat dry with a paper towel 2. Grill 3-5 minutes on each side 3. Remove and let rest for several minutes 4. Slice steaks across the grain 5. Place arugula in the middle of a 12 inch tortilla 6. Top with steak slices, Gorgonzola sauce, red onion and roasted peppers 7. Wrap tortilla around fillings and serve.

Following the successful launch of Two Hearted and Oberon Ale in 16 oz. 4-packs, we are proud to announce and share the look of the rest of our seasonal lineup in cans. Best Brown Ale, Winter White and Smitten Golden Rye Ale will be available in cans for the first time later this year and early next year. All three seasonal beers will continue to be available on draft and in both 6-pack and 12-pack bottles. “We love being able to offer these brands in both cans and glass to suit the various lifestyles of our customers and fans,” said Laura Bell, Bell’s Vice President. Best Brown Ale will be Bell’s third can offering and will be available along with bottles and on draft beginning around Labor Day. All three seasonal beers will be available in the same 16 oz. 4-packs. Cans of Winter White will be released in November and Smitten will return in February.