Kalamazoo Beer Week

Kalamazoo Beer Week returns and there’s a lot of great events happening around town with our beers! 7 Beers, 7 Days At our Eccentric Café, we’re releasing 7 specialty beers over 7 days: Sunday, January 12th:Double Two Hearted Monday, January 13th: Hazy Pale Ale Tuesday, January 14th: Pineapple Guava Sour (Bottles also available to-go in the General Store) Wednesday, January 15th: Kviek Thursday, January 16th: Tropical Fruit Cocktail Milkshake IPA Friday, January 17th:Expedition Stout Vertical Flight '14, '17, '18, '19 Saturday, January 18th:Uberon More details Beer dinner at Park Club The Park Club is hosting its annual Bell’s Beer Dinner on Friday, Jan 17. Check out this menu: Salmon and corn chowder paired with Lager of the Lakes Chilled Gulf Shrimp with red pepper and horseradish remoulade paired with Expedition Stout Endive topped with smoked chicken, Stilton, raspberries with poppyseed vinaigrette Smoked brisket, spiced apple glaze and carmelized onion paired with Two Hearted Pound cake with butterscotch, cream cheese custard and vanilla bean whipped cream paired with Third Coast Old Ale More details Beer and Pasties Enjoy great Michigan beer with one our state’s best food at Old Dog Tavern on Tuesday, Jan 14. More details How do you spell L-I-G-H-T H-E-A-R-T-E-D? SHAKESPEARE’S PUB is hosting a Drunkin' Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Jan 15. In addition to a dictionary full of words, our new Lo-Cal IPA Light Hearted will be on tap! More details Beer dinner at Zazio’s Zazio’s is hosting a Bell’s beer dinner on Thursday, Jan 16. More details

The 9th Annual Kalamazoo Beer Week will be held Jan. 11 – 19 all over Kalamazoo! Below are the events we’ll be hosting, join us! Jan. 12 7th Annual Bell’s Snow Jog Adventure (Leisure) Race & Challenge (sold out) - Kick-off Kalamazoo Beer Week with a choose your own adventure run/jog/walk all over downtown Kalamazoo to benefit Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. The route includes 11 stops with challenges & Bell’s beer at different downtown bar and retail locations. All runners must return to the Eccentric Café by 1:30 p.m., and complete five of the 11 challenges to receive this year’s exclusive Snow Jog swag. Founding Father’s Tap Event, Kalamazoo Beer Exchange (more info) Beat the Brewer, LFG (more info) Jan. 13 Funk-uary, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Sour beers on tap, with some funky food specials. Doors open at 11 a.m. at the Eccentric Café, available while supplies last. (more info) Jan. 14 Pasty Night at Old Dog Tavern - Enjoy pasties and some great Bell's beers (Hopslam, Amber Ale, Larry's Latest Quadruple Belgian, Bear Hug Imperial Stout) at Old Dog Tavern beginning at 6 p.m. (more info) Jan. 15 Flamingo Fruit Fight Release Party, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Specialty release party for the latest packaged release in our Larry’s Latest series. Doors at 11 a.m., available on tap and in the General Store (to-go) while supplies last. (more info) Tap Event, Hangar Bar and Grill Bell’s Beer Tasting, Drake Party Center Bell's and Barbecue, The Union - 3 beers (Hopsoulution, 30th Anniveresary Cherry Stout Reserve and Le Contrebassiste) paired with 3 different BBQ sauces in a rib bone basket, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (more info) Jan. 16 Wear Your Bell’s, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Wear a Bell’s logo and you’ll get $1 off beer. Pretty simple. 11 a.m. start. (more info) Chef’s Table, Zazio’s - 5 course food & beer pairing (Oarmsan, Rye Stout, Mole Stout, Hopsolulution and Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout), $65 (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 269-384-2650 or email Michelle for more info. Annual Mario Kart Tournament, Shakespeare's Pub - Prizes and bragging rights to the winners! 4 Bell's beers on tap including Hopslam. 7-9 p.m. (more info) Open Mic Night, Louie's Trophy House - Two Hearted, Winter White and Hopslam (plus a special Hopslam wing sauce), 8 p.m. Jan. 17 Upper Hand Tap Takeover, Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Enjoy a special lineup featuring our friends from the U.P. starting at 11 a.m. Available on tap while supplies last. Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity to sample these beers below the Mackinac Bridge! (more info) Kalamadoodle & Bell's Brewery at the KIA: Kalamadoodle is returning to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to enjoy a night of craft and creativity. As always, all supplies will be provided. This is a free and family friendly event. (more info) Raw Bar and Stouts, Central City Taphouse - Bear Hug, Harry MaGill's Spiced stout Pomegranate Oarsman, 5 p.m. (more info) Jan. 18 Firkin Fest, meet the brewer, Bell's Eccentric Cafe. Enjoy beer out of a firkin and chat with the brewer who made it! A rare opportunity. (more info)  

Below is a look at Bell’s events hosted at the Eccentric Café and around Kalamazoo for Kalamazoo Beer Week 2017. For more information and for updates, keep an eye here on our website and on our social media. Jan. 14 5th Annual Bell’s Snow Jog Adventure (Leisure) Race & Challenge, multiple locations in downtown Kalamazoo. Starts and ends at the Eccentric Cafe. Food donations and proceeds benefit Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. This event is sold out. Jan. 15 Bell’s Beer Brunch, Eccentric Café, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., all-you-can-eat. Live music from The Whistle Stop Review. Jan. 16 Bell’s Tap Event, Taco Bob’s (downtown Kalamazoo on the Mall), 5 p.m. Bell’s Beer Dinner, Eccentric Café, 6 p.m., limited seats. Call 269-382-2332 to reserve your spot (reservations are required). $50 per person. Must 21 or older.  Bell’s Tasting, Salut, Kalamazoo, 4-6 p.m. Jan. 17 Second Ever Bell’s Great American Spell-Off, Eccentric Café. Registration is $20 and includes your first beer. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; bee starts at 8 p.m. Benefits Comstock Public Library. Email cbuzz@bellsbeer.com to register (limited spots available). Beer and Pasties, Old Dog Tavern, 6 p.m. Jan. 18 Mario Kart Tournament, Shakespeare’s Pub, Kalamazoo, 7 p.m. Jortslam Hopslam Release Party featuring Live Band Karaoke, Eccentric Cafe. Doors open at 7 p.m. No cover. Do you have the jortiest jorts? Winners will be announced during set-break. You can also take your photo with our Hopslam photo cut-out. Bell’s Tasting, Drake Party Center, Kalamazoo, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 19 Bell’s Tasting, Mega-Bev, Kalamazoo, 4-7 p.m. Zazios Chef’s Table, 6:30 p.m. start On the menu ARUGULA: Roasted tomato, goat cheese, olive oil, lemon paired with Lager of the Lakes SCALLOP: Seared, carmelized onion, fried brussel leaves, grana, balsamic paired with Amber Ale. RAMEN: Braised pork, egg, pickled shiitake, radish, scallion, broth paired with Hopslam BRISKET: Smoked, creamy polenta, collards, red onion marmalade paired with Black Note TART: Sour cherry, puff pastry, pistachio, vanilla, custard paired with Le Batteur Barrel Aged Beer Tour, Comstock Brewery, 6 p.m. Limited space. First-come, first-served. SOLD OUT. Sign up for the wait list (please include your name, phone number and email contact info). Jan. 20 Beer Dinner, The Park Club, Kalamazoo, 6 p.m. Tappening, Airway Lanes, Portage, 6 p.m. Jan. 21 Tap Takeover with Saugatuck Brewing Company, Burdick’s, downtown Kalamazoo  

Kalamazoo Beer Week was a blast, from the sold-out crowd at Snow Jog to all of our partners who held events. We hosted more than 16 dinners, beer tastings and other events at the Eccentric Café and across Kalamazoo. Thanks to everyone who came out and participated. Above are photos from all the events, and here is a video highlighting the week:

  Kalamazoo Beer Week is fast approaching. While it’s always a great time to enjoy and celebrate local craft beer, we think it’s also important to give back the the community that has been there for us over the years. For the fourth year, the Bell’s Snow Jog Adventure (Leisure) Race & Challenge will benefit Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. The food bank is the largest in the area and distributes to 23 pantries. In 2015, it filled 157,000 food orders. In a single day, Loaves and Fishes can see 1,000 people utilize their services. This year, we are introducing a new event for beer week: the First Ever Bell’ Great American Spell-off. The lexical competition will benefit the Comstock Township Library. Just down the street from our brewery, the library offers several programs for the community. We hope to see you during some of the KBW events (here’s a full list). Also, check out Loaves and Fishes and the Comstock Library, two organizations that are doing great work to make the Kalamazoo-area a great place to live.

The sixth annual Kalamazoo Beer Week (KBW) is nearly upon us. From Jan. 16 through 23, Kalamazoo will be celebrating its craft beer heritage with a weeklong series of events that support the craft beer experience including special tastings, dinners, and interactive events. Last year, KBW boasted more than 250 events. Details for all of Bell’s beer events are below. Get event updates and more Bell’s news by following us on social media, including Facebook and Twitter. We also have Facebook events for specific Bell’s events. See the latest on KBW with the hashtag #KBW2016. Weeklong Specialty pairing menu at Rustica on the Kalamazoo Mall. Saturday, Jan. 16 Bell’s 4th Annual Kalamazoo Beer Week Snow Jog Adventure (Leisure) Race & Challenge! -- SOLD OUT Downtown Kalamazoo, 12 p.m. Facebook event January 4, 2016: This year's race is now sold out. If you missed out this year, be sure to mark you calendars for next year. This annual 21 & over “race” helps kick-off KBW with a choose your own adventure run/jog/walk all over downtown Kalamazoo to benefit Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes. The 5k-ish route includes 11 stops with challenges & Bell’s beer at different downtown bar and retail locations, all with hopes of randomly winning the grand prize (and being entered to win other great prizes as well). Teams of two can register for $40 (that’s only a cool $20/runner!) plus one non-perishable food item per person. Don’t wait to sign up! This run sells out every year! Once registered, join us at Rugger’s Up & Under (711 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo) on Friday, Jan. 15 from 5-8 p.m. for early packet pick-up and waiver signing. Packet pick-up will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday the 16th (race day) and the run will start promptly at noon. All runners must return to the Eccentric Café by 3:30 p.m. ON THE DOT, complete eight of the 11 challenges to receive this year’s exclusive Snow Jog Swag and all 11 challenges to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Keep in mind, this is a leisure run, there is no benefit to finishing first! Take your time, drink up, be safe, tip your bartenders and obey all traffic laws. Participating locations: Gazelle Sports Old Dog Tavern - new this year The Green Top Louie’s Trophy House Rugger’s Up & Under Harvey’s on the Mall The Union University Roadhouse Shakespeare’s Pub Old Burdick’s Downtown Pedal Bicycle - also new this year Stouts and Snouts Old Burdick’s Downtown, 7 p.m. Six of our stouts with five different prepared pork dishes hosted by Bell’s Head Brewer, Andy Farrell. Featured beers: Kalamazoo Stout, Sweet Potato Stout, 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout, Milchkaffee (a collaboration beer with the Kalamazoo Coffee Co.), Cherry Stout and Special Double Cream Stout. Sunday, Jan. 17 Bell’s Beer Brunch Bell’s Eccentric Café, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. $20/adults, $10/children 10 and under, Free/children 3 and under. This is an all-you-can-stuff-your-face- buffet featuring specialty beer cocktails, table doodles and chicken & waffles. Featuring entertainment from special guests Who Hit John? Availability is first-come, first-served. Bell's Beat the Brewer at Everybody's Favorite “Sport,” Bowling Airway Fun Center, Portage, 5 p.m. Part of our first annual Kalamazoo Beer Week Beat the Bell's Brewer Olympics, we will be hosting contests of skill throughout the week. Come to Airway and challenge a brewer to a game of bowling. Monday, Jan. 18 First Ever Bell’ Great American Spell-off! Bell’s Eccentric Café, 6:30 p.m. registration, bee starts at 8 p.m. $15 registration fee includes your first beer. Proceeds benefit the Comstock Township Library. Misspell a word? You’ll have a shot at redemption by challenging a brewer to the same word! A panel of judges will deliver words from the Merriam Webster’s dictionary for a chance to win first, second or third place. This is a 21 and over event. Who will end up “too drunk to bee?” Tuesday, Jan. 19 An Eccentric Café Beer Dinner Bell’s Eccentric Café, 6 p.m. Facebook event $60 + tax and gratuity. Limited seating available. Five-course beer and food pairing, hosted by Laura Bell. Vegetarian options available, hosted in The Back Room at the Café. Sign up with Carly Buzz at cbuzz@bellsbeer.com or by calling 269-250-8827. This is a 21 and over event. Bell's Beat the Bell's Brewer at pick 'em Pinball or Ping Pong Old Dog Tavern, 7 p.m. Part of the Beat the Bell's Brewer Olympics. Challenge a brewer to one of two games of dexterity: tennis or The Original Video Game. Six different Bell’s beer will be on tap! Bell’s Beer Tasting Drake Party Center, 6-8 p.m. Bell’s Beer 101 Holiday Inn West, 6 p.m. Learn about the foundational styles of Bell’s  from one of our representatives, poolside. Wednesday, Jan. 20: Jortslam Hopslam Release Party Bell’s Eccentric Café, 7 p.m. Facebook event Our official Hopslam Release Party will feature Live Band Karaoke, along with a “Jortiest Jort of Jortslam” competition for the best jean shorts. We’ll have a Hopslam photo cut-out to take pictures with and a free photo booth in the hallway from 7-11 p.m. Winners will be announced during set-break. Official Hopslam release party! A 21 and over event. Beat the Brewer (and Laura Bell) at Mario Kart Shakespeare’s Pub, 7 p.m. Six of our beers will be on tap. Thursday, Jan. 21 Bell’s Beer Tasting Bacchus, 4-6 p.m. Beat the Brewer at the World’s Worst Game (putting green) Louie’s Trophy House, 7 p.m. Four of our Bell’s beers on tap. Friday, Jan. 22 Beat the Brewer at Eating (A.K.A. a Bell’s Beer Dinner hosted by Laura Bell) The Park Club, 6:30 p.m.   A five-course beer dinner. Registration details here Saturday, Jan. 23 Beat the Brewer at Feats of Strength, Fortitude and Agility Old Burdick’s Downtown, 6 p.m. Featuring 10 of our beers on tap.