Distribution

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce a new distributor partnership in Southern California. Classic Beverage of Southern California will assume distribution of Bell’s beer after the sale of Craft Beer Guild Distributing of Los Angeles, a Sheehan Family Company. “We are excited to partner with Classic Beverages in their ambitious plans for Southern California. As a family-owned, fiercely independent craft brewer, we are inspired by CJ’s (Sanchez) passion for his family business and his vision for the future of Classic Beverage of Southern California,” Matt Moberly, Bell’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said. Our customers should see no impact on beer availability. Classic offers a considerably greater coverage in the LA market, we should eventually reach even more customers, he added. Bell’s remains business partners with other Sheehan Family Company distributorships within the Midwest and along the East Coast. Bell’s began distributing to Southern California in 2014. About Classic Beverage of Southern California: Classic was founded in 1986 by the late Joe Sanchez III. Joe and the Sanchez Family were recommended to Miller Brewing to distribute their brands throughout eastern Los Angeles County because of their strong ties to the community and industrious nature. Joe was able to build a robust business in eastern LA County via superior customer service, and through building great relationships with suppliers & at retail. Over 30 years later, the industrious and customer service focused spirit of Joe Sanchez is carried on through his son, President of Classic, CJ Sanchez. Via strategic acquisitions, what was once a business operating in roughly half of Los Angeles County, is a business that will expand across 9 counties in 2021. In addition to growth from a coverage standpoint, Classic has expanded their portfolio to include a non-alcohol division, spirits division, and has built upon their craft beer division. It is Classic’s ambition and expectation to be the preferred craft beer purveyor in Southern California, creating an independent route to market for independent craft brewers, and they will realize that ambition through their most recent strategic acquisition of Sheehan’s Craft Beer Guild. Key partnerships with suppliers like Bells, with their best in class offerings, bring credibility to this ambition.

We are proud to announce new distributor partnerships in the great state of Indiana! As of this week, fifteen new partners have taken on distribution of Bell’s beer in southern Indiana. “All share our dedication to quality and we look forward to continuing the excellence that our customers expect,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. Those new distributor partners are: Zink Distributing Co., Mid-America Beverage, North Vernon Beverage Co., Bartholomew County Beverage, Greenfield Beverage, L.C. Nadorff & Son, Inc., Orange County Beverage Co., Working Distributors Inc., Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co. Inc., Craig Distributing Co. Inc., Terrance A. Smith Distributing, Best Beers Inc., Jay County Beverage, Little Beverage Co. Inc. and Boone Beverage Inc. “Indiana is a very important state for us. These new partners are family-run and well connected to their communities. We are all very excited to work with new our new extended family,” said Matt Moberly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bell’s. These new partners are all part of the AB (Anheuser-Busch) network of distributors in the state. Distribution of Bell’s beer will continue uninterrupted with Indiana Beverage in northern Indiana. Changes in beer availability should be minimal, but are not expected.

Bell’s beer will once again flow in the great state of Virginia! Brewery favorites like the very popular and best-selling Two Hearted Ale (recently named the Best Beer in America for the fourth year in a row), Bell’s Hazy IPA, Official, and many others will be available in Virginia later this month. All parties involved are happy to resolve this matter amicably and welcome Bell’s back to Virginia. “We are absolutely thrilled to be back and we are really looking forward to working with our new partner in Richmond. To everyone who has kept in touch and waited patiently for our return, I say thank you and cheers,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. Also debuting (officially) for the first time in Virginia, will be Bell’s Lo-Cal IPA, Light Hearted Ale. Brewed with Centennial and Galaxy hops, Light Hearted clocks in at a 3.7% Alc.-by-Vol. with only 110 calories per 12. oz serving. Bell’s beer will be distributed in the Richmond area by Specialty Beverage of Virginia, a Sheehan Family Company. This new distributor partner will serve the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince George, Southhampton, Surry and Sussex. Specialty Beverage will also cover the independent cities of Colonial Heights Emporia, Franklin, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond. Elsewhere in the state, Bell’s will continue its distributor partnerships with Blue Ridge Beverage, Copa Wine Corporation, Hoffman Beverage Company, Hop and Wine Beverage, M. Price Distribution and Wendell Distributing. About Specialty Beverage of Virginia Originally founded in 1991, Specialty Beverage of Virginia started as a small craft and import distributing business. Over the next two decades, and as the craft beer segment accelerated, Specialty was acquired by the Sheehan Family Companies. Specialty Beverage distributes a portfolio of craft beer, imports, ciders, wines, cocktail mixers and sodas. Specialty has also implemented an eco-friendly waste management and recycling program to be more environmentally responsible.  

January is here and that means it's Hopslam season! Our classic Double IPA will be available at the Eccentric Café and General Store in Kalamazoo beginning Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. More info on our Hopslam Day event, which will include the tapping of Hop Grandslam, a double dry hopped version of Hopslam.  As each batch is ready and packaged, it makes its way out in waves to help ensure it’s getting to all of you as fresh as possible. It will make its way everywhere we distribute beer throughout January in 12 oz cans and on draft. Remember this beer is limited, so grab it while you can. Our best advice to find Hopslam near you is to reach out to your local retailer, bar and/or restaurant after it has started shipping. They will have the most up-to-date information about their specific deliveries and/or availability. Please also keep in mind that it may take some time before that info is available. Be patient and keep an eye on retailer’s social media channels for additional details. Searching Untappd for nearby check-ins is also a good resource. Want to show your love of Hopslam with more than just the beer in your hand? We have a bunch of new Hopslam gear on our online store. Check back here next week or keep an eye on our social media for a special Hopslam announcement. Mini kegs Mini kegs are filled and shipping! Our 5L cans will be shipping to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If you search our Beer Finder, also keep in mind that the results show which beers have been delivered by our distributors, but do not reflect real-time inventory (what's on shelves) or which formats are available (can, keg, bottle, etc.). We always suggest using these results to call ahead and see if these locations may be carrying or expect to carry our mini kegs. Remember to drink your mini kegs fresh and within 24 to 48 hours of opening. Here's a video on how to open your mini keg. OTHER HELPFUL LINKS Our Beer Finder (Please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries.) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events What’s Hopslam anyways? Hopslam gear from our General Store Download a Hopslam wallpaper for your phone. Recipe: Spicy Pork Chops with Hopslam Peach Chutney       What is Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3214","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"}}]] Can I cellar Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3215","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"}}]] Why is Hopslam in cans? [[{"fid":"3217","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]] Why brew Hopslam once a year? [[{"fid":"3218","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce the upcoming release of its Leaves of Grass series; seven brand new Bell’s beers released about every two months inspired by Walt Whitman’s literary classic. The series will kick-off in late May 2019 with a German-inspired American IPA and conclude in May 2020. Each specialty beer will be limited and available on draft and in 12 oz. bottles, packaged in 6-packs.  Bell’s Leaves of Grass series is a celebration of Walt Whitman’s literary classic and one of Larry Bell’s favorites, “Leaves of Grass.” First published in 1855, Whitman’s book of poetry is a hallmark of American literature.  “Over the years, we’ve drawn inspiration from a variety of different sources from music to literature to the Great Lakes,” said Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery. “This series is just the latest example of how the arts have inspired us to create new and innovative recipes.” Each new beer will be named after and inspired by one of Whitman’s poems, while each recipe will compliment the seasonality of when each beer is released.  The release timing of the first beer does also coincide with Whitman’s 200th birthday.  Bell’s Planets Series, which debuted in 2014 and also featured seven brand new beers, celebrated another one of Larry Bell’s many passions, music. Inspired by Gustav Holst’s "The Planets,” the release included fan favorites such as Mars, a Double IPA that has since been re-released after The Planets concluded. Leaves of Grass picks up and continues the success of that series. Additional details will be shared at bellsbeer.com and on Bell’s social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) as they become available.  Leaves of Grass Series at a glance May 2019: Song of Myself  - German-Inspired American IPA (6.5% ABV) July 2019: The Prairie-Grass Dividing - Gose-Style Ale Brewed with Plum, Salt & Coriander (4.5% ABV) September 2019: Oh Captain! My Captain! - TBA  November 2019: To a Locomotive in Winter - TBA  January 2020: Song of the Open Road - TBA  March 2020: Salut Au Monde! - TBA  May 2020: Spontaneous Me - TBA 

We are proud to announce new distributor partnerships in the great states of Wyoming and Nevada! Six distributors will help bring Bell’s entire portfolio, as seasonally available, to Wyoming in April. Five distributors will help bring Bell’s entire portfolio, as seasonally available, to Nevada in June. These new distributors share our commitment to quality. In Wyoming, we will be working with Cheyenne Beverage, Inc., Fremont Distributing, Osprey Beverages, LLC, Tanager Beverages LLC, Western Distributing Co. and Western Wyoming Beverages, Inc. In Nevada, we will be working with Blach Distributing Co., Capital Beverages Inc., Morrey Distributing Company, Nevada Beverage Company and Valley Distributors Inc. “Wyoming has some incredible hot spots for craft beer similar to what we see here in our home state. Nevada has some incredible opportunities as well. Both states will help us fill out our western footprint,” said Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery. We added eight states to its distribution network in 2018: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and Colorado. Wyoming will bring the Bell’s distribution footprint to 40 total states; Nevada will bring the count to 41. We also distributes to Puerto Rico and Washington DC. Launch celebrations are being planned. Additional information will be announced as details are finalized. For more information and for updates, keep an eye here on the Bell’s website or join us on social media.  WYOMING About Cheyenne Beverage, Inc. Cheyenne/Laramie Beverage is a 4th generation family business that covers Southeast Wyoming with MIllerCoors, Constellation and a number of local and national craft brands. This company sold its first case of Coors beer in 1949 and once distributed the Coca-Cola brands dating back as far as the 1920s. This longstanding family business prides itself on having strong brands, excellent retail execution and a reputation of being highly involved in the communities they service. About Fremont Distributing Fremont Distributing was established in 1978 by Keith Asbell and the Asbell family still owns and operates the business today. A small distributor located in Riverton, Wyoming, Fremont employs 10 people and prides itself on quality products and great service. About Osprey Beverages, LLC Osprey Beverages is family-owned and operated in Jackson Hole, Wyoming since 1963. Osprey Beverages is a distributor of Anheuser-Busch and Constellation brands. Osprey also distributes the finest imported brands, craft beers, local micro craft beers and non-alcohol products. Osprey serves three counties including: Teton, Lincoln and Sublette, including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton National Park. Our mission is to provide exceptional customer service, while delivering only the highest quality products and experiences to our customers. Osprey Beverage is committed to supporting its community, by contributing and partnering with many non-profit organizations benefiting the arts, education, and conservation. Osprey Beverage is a proud co-challenger sponsor of the Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities. Osprey is also focused on preventing underage drinking, drinking and driving, and promotes responsible drinking among adults. About Tanager Beverages LLC On the East Boundary of Yellowstone National Park lies the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming. This is the land Tanager Beverages proudly distributes the finest beers in the industry to the residents of Northwest Wyoming. Tanager Beverages is small distributor that prides itself on selling the highest quality products and maintaining a standard of excellence in our service so that we will exceed our customers’ expectations. It is our vision to be viewed by our customers and peers as the sales and service leaders in the beer category. Tanager Beverages was founded in 1997 and is owned and operated by Joe Kondelis. Currently the Tanager Beverages portfolio includes over 40 suppliers and over 300 brands from across the US and Europe. As the dynamics of the beer industry has changed so has the way Tanager Beverages approaches the market. It is essential for us to continue to evolve to meet the complexities of the industry. We are very team and family oriented and our employees from day one must exhibit a passion for excellence in their field. This culture has made us a market leader in both sales and service. Tanager Beverages proudly supports many community programs and initiatives and has always been a very community driven company. The health of our market is very important to us and our business strategies and approach to market reflects that. About Western Distributing Co. Western Distributingis a family owned & operated business located in Casper WY. Founded in 1950, and purchased by the Klungness family in 1987. Western is highly committed to customer service, quality, & creating unique opportunities for our employees, customers & suppliers. Western is excited to partner with Bell's Brewery, an amazing company that shares our passion for quality, family, and of course beer. About Western Wyoming Beverages, Inc.: Western Wyoming Beverages is a family owned and operated company operating in Southwest Wyoming. Western Wyoming Beverages distributes beverage products from over 50 local and national suppliers. The company has been locally owned and operated for over 49 years during which time it has built a reputation for its reliable service, friendly team, and giving back to the community. NEVADA About Blach Distributing Co. Blach Distributing is a full-line beverage wholesale distributor serving retail outlets in Northern Nevada since 1974. Our 300+ retail customers include Bars, C-Stores, Supermarkets, Mass Merchandisers and Casinos. Our service area covers over 59,000 square miles with over 100,000 residing in Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, Nye (Partial) and Washoe (Partial) Counties. This territory extends from the Utah to California borders running along Idaho and Oregon to the north. Blach Distributing Company represents many beverage Suppliers and their products. Product lines include beer, wine, liquor and soda. Our primary focus is in the Beer Category with many Craft, Import, and Domestic Beers to choose from. About Capital Beverages Inc. Capital Beverages is a 3rd generation family owned beer/wine and spirits distributor proudly serving the Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Minden/Gardnerville, Virginia City areas among others since 1937. About Morrey Distributing Company Joe and Esther Morrey started Morrey Distributing Company in 1954 in humble beginnings in Reno, NV distributing Hamm's Beer. Just a few years later, we bought the Anheuser-Busch franchise, expanding and relocating our business to Terminal Way in Reno and having to expand even more, we built another warehouse next door. With increasing sales and A-B increasing their different lines and picking up new brands; a larger warehouse was needed, so onto another move in Reno. One more move and here we are today at newest location in Sparks, NV with property available to expand. After Joe's passing, his son John took the reins and his Dad's philosophy of giving back to the community. Morrey Distributing is now associated with most community events; golf tournaments for charities, University of Nevada, Reno (all sports events), MDA and a favorite sponsorship being exclusive with the Sparks Nugget "Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off". Morrey Distributing Company has been doing business for over 60 years. The quality of the service to the customers, the care the shop gives the vehicles and the warehouses excellence in guarding and caring for the prized possession ... Beer ... has earned Morrey Distributing the coveted Ambassadors of Excellence Gold Award given out by Anheuser­Busch in 2012 and a Silver Award in 2013. Morrey Distributing Company covers all of Reno/Sparks, Nevada and venturing into Storey County. Population: 321,291. Serving the area with 12 delivery trucks, 16 sales and merchandising vans and 10 event vehicles. About Nevada Beverage Company Nevada Beverage is a Family Owned and Operated, Independent Beverage Wholesaler in Las Vegas. Founded in 1948 by Pat Clark Sr. Nevada Beverage has built a portfolio of world-class products including domestic and craft beers as well as an extensive non-alcoholic selection. As a leading wholesaler in Las Vegas we pride ourselves on quality from our brands to our people and we continue to strive for excellence. About Valley Distributors Inc. Valley Distributors is a family owned and operated business located in Fallon, Nevada. Valley has been distributing beer in central Nevada since 1974, covering Churchill, Mineral, northern Lyon, southern Washoe, and northern Nye counties. Valley carries a complete selection of craft, domestic and imported beers creating a portfolio to service every customer’s needs. Valley is highly selective in which brands they carry making sure demand, quality, and freshness are the highest priority. Valley prides itself on being the only local distributor to central Nevada, providing superior customer service to the area we cover.

It's official! Two of our favorite ingredients come together in the brew house; pungent American hops and delicious wheat malt. Bell's Official Hazy IPA is double dry-hopped (a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo and El Dorado hops) resulting in complex peach, stone fruit and tropical notes with a dry finish and balanced bitterness. We’ve been brewing hazy or unfiltered beers for more than 30 years. Official combines two of the styles when are known for best, IPAs and wheat beers, and offers something completely new. Official is a refined beer for those who love hops AND for those who prefer wheat beers. Not to be confused with New England IPAs, Official is our Hazy IPA. In addition to draft, it is now available to purchase in cans (12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs; 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs) and bottles (12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs. Twelve-packs of 12 oz. cans are available in Michigan only. Ready to make it Official? Use our Beer Finder to locate our new year-round nearby.  [[{"fid":"8504","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. "},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. ","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. "}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. ","title":"Bell's Official Hazy IPA is available in a variety of options. ","height":800,"width":1200,"style":"height: 400px; width: 600px; float: right; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]About the beer ABV: 6.4% ABV Availability: Year-round Get the gear: Visit our General Store.  Food pairings Savory: Pizza, garlic bread, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, pickled fruits, grilled vegetables Sweet: White chocolate The Eccentric Way: Fennel, orange, and arugula salad with bleu cheese; miso and citrus pork belly; a ginger mango cake with a cream cheese frosting

January is here and that means it's Hopslam season! In order to get you this beer as fresh as possible, we will be shipping to different areas (multiple batches) over the next few weeks. This year, that also includes Hopslam mini-kegs (those may ship at different times than what is indicated below)! Hopslam will be available at the Eccentric Cafe and Bell's General Store beginning on Jan. 2. The exact time it will be available will depend on packaging and shipping that day, so please call ahead before making a trip and keep an eye on our social media for when it's on tap and on sale. The Cafe is hosting a Jortslam Hopslam Release Party on Jan. 3. Hopslam cans will start shipping on Jan. 3  to counties in lower Michigan: Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne. Below, you will find shipping information about the rest of our distribution footprint. The dates below are when beer will start shipping to each state, not actual delivery dates. Please keep in mind that there could be delays and that the beer may still have to travel to our distributors' warehouses first then travel to stores, bars and restaurants.  Our best advice is to reach out to your local retailer, bar and/or restaurant after it has started shipping. They will have the most up-to-date information about their specific deliveries and/or availability. Please also keep in mind that it may take some time before that info is available. Be patient and keep an eye on social media for additional details. Untappd is also a good resource. Speaking of Untappd, we have worked with our friends over there to offer a special 2019 Hopslam release badge. It will be available starting Jan. 2 until Feb. 9. One (1) check-in and it's yours.  shipping info (cont.) Week of Jan. 7: Remaining counties in Michigan (including the U.P.), Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee (Roanne, Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Anderson, Union, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Coche, Sevier, Blount, Loudon, Shelby, Cheatham, Davidson, Wilson, Trousdale, Williamson, Rutherford, Maury, Bledsoe, Rhea, Seqatchie and Hamilton counties), Vermont and Wisconsin Week of Jan. 14: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee (remaining counties), Texas, Virginia (Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Gloucester, Grayson, Greene, Halifax, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe, and York counties; the cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Covington, Danville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Martinsville, Newport News, Norfolk, Norton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg, Winchester), West Virginia. Other helpful LINKS Our Beer Finder (Please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries.) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events Hopslam gear from our General Store Download a Hopslam wallpaper for your phone. What is Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3214","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"}}]] Can I cellar Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3215","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"}}]] Why is Hopslam in cans? [[{"fid":"3217","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]] Why brew Hopslam once a year? [[{"fid":"3218","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]

Two brand new Bell’s beers have been announced for 2019, but we have more in store for our craft beer fans this fall. Hopsoulution, one of our Double IPAs, is joining our year-round lineup in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Hopsoulution was previously a limited, specialty release for our entire distribution area. Twelve-ounce bottles, packaged in 6-packs, along with kegs of Hopsoulution will start shipping in September. It will remain a specialty release for the remaining 35 states in our distribution footprint (plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico), returning in the spring of 2019.   “Our fans have been asking for a Double IPA to be a part of our year-round portfolio. We’re going to start with the Great Lakes region and re-evaluate other markets in the future,” Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery said. Remarkably drinkable for a beer with an 8% ABV, Hopsoulution is brewed with several hop varieties for massive aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and pine. A mild caramel malt character and dry finish provide balance. Also debuting this fall will be two brand new, but limited, specialty releases! Side Yard Ale (6.8% ABV), a fresh-hopped New England style IPA, will be available exclusively for purchase at the Bell’s General Store and on tap at Bell’s Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo. Packaged in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, the beer will be brewed with Chinook hops freshly harvested from our Hop Yard located right next to our Comstock Brewery.  Each can will feature one of three labels, each showing a different image of the Hop Yard including one from last year’s harvest. It will be released in early October. Tessie’s Golden Ale (5% ABV) will also be a Bell’s General Store and Cafe exclusive. The bottle label features Larry Bell’s Yellow Labrador, Tessie, wearing an Oberon dog collar. It will also leave the brewery in late October. Both beers will be brewed using our brand new pilot brew system. Tessie’s Ale will be bottled using our new specialty bottling line. Both are part of a brand new innovation pipeline – a 12.8-barrel pilot brew system and specialty packaging line designed to fill 12 oz. and 750 mL bottles. This Pilot Brewery is located where our original Comstock Bottling Hall was located, the same space where all Bell’s bottled beers were packaged from 2003 until 2016. Bell’s newer and primary Bottling Hall is capable of filling 750 bottles-per-minute.

We are proud to announce the next can and bottle release in our Larry’s Latest series – Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight (5% ABV). A Tart Fruit Ale brewed with passionfruit, lime zest and wheat malt, Flamingo Fruit Fight is tart with tropical and citrus aromas and flavors. It follows the 2018 debut of Larry’s Latest Sour Ale, a dry-hopped Kettle Sour Ale. The name Larry’s Latest is a nod to the spirit of innovation and experimentation that Larry started in 1985 and continues within the brewery to this day.  “This is a fun beer with a fun name. When it’s released, it’ll be nice little staycation of sorts, a break from the wintery blues January can bring,” Larry Bell, President and Founder of Bell’s Brewery said. Flamingo Fruit Fight will be available in 16 oz. cans, packaged in 4-packs, 12 oz. bottles, packaged in 12-packs and 6-packs and on draught beginning in January 2019. A specialty release, it will be available to order across Bell’s distribution footprint, but will be limited.  Lime zest and passionfruit work together with the latter driving a beautiful acidity that will be appeal to those who enjoy tart beers, but not overwhelm and drive away those who do not. Not all of Larry’s Latest beers are released in packaging aside from draught. Many also do not travel beyond our pub, the Eccentric Café. Additional details will be shared here at bellsbeer.com and on our social media as it becomes available.