Smitten

Our printed Beerentines may all be spoken for this year, but you can still send some Bell's love to your special someone, friend, family member, companion, beer drinking buddy, etc.  You can send one of 12 different designs with a message to anyone in the world. Actually, send as many as you'd like. They're free and unlimited. Send some e-love right here.  Have an idea for next year's Beerentines? Let us know. If we pick yours, it will be featured on a brand new card and we'll send you even more love as a thank you.  Cheers! PS - Do you know what compliments a Valentine's card perfectly? Some Bell's beer.

Smitten beerentines will return for a third year later this month.  As in past years, printed cards will be limited. And we will hand write, address and then send one on your behalf for free. We just need to know who to send it to and where. A short message can also be included.  Each Bell's beerentine will also include a little extra swag from us. Digital cards will also return. They can be scheduled to be delivered on Valentine's Day or whenever you  prefer. Keep an eye here and on our social media for more information. They sell out fast!   

UPDATE (1/31/17): All of this year's beerentines have been spoken for. You can still send an e-version now until Feb. 14. After another tremendous response last year, Smitten beerentines are back for a third year. You can choose to send one via snail mail (yes, we will still fill out the card, address the envelope, take care of the postage and mail it for you with a little something extra from us) or you can send an e-version. As in previous years, there is no cost for either. Just choose how you want us to send it (snail mail or the Intertubes), who you want it to go to and which design to use (this year we have six brand new designs along with six returning favorites). We will take care of the rest. Please keep in mind, paper beerentines are limited and the deadline to order one is noon on Feb. 1, or until they are all spoken for (they have sold out quickly in previous years). Please, one per person. We also have to limit recipients’ locations to the U.S. (for those living outside of the U.S., you can still use the e-version). We will get them in the mail for delivery on or around Valentine’s Day. It will be up to you to choose when your e-card is sent (immediately, on Valentine's Day, before, etc.). e-Beerentines are available here.

As winter crawls forward and with spring on the horizon, what better way to celebrate than some Smitten Golden Rye food pairing tips? This beer showcases a citrusy, resinous hop aroma with earthiness from rye malt. There are many levels of flavor to be found in Smitten, making it a great beer to pair with the beginning, middle, and even the end of your meal. Below are some great ideas to get your Smitten food thoughts going! About Smitten Rye malt lends a rustic, earthiness to beer that gives a spicy and sometimes sour aspect of flavor. It pairs well with things like rye or sour dough bread, cheeses, and pickled vegetables. Cascade hops lend citrus aromas and bitterness that can balance out richness and sweetness in dishes as well as emphasize and pair well with spicy items. Foods to pair with Smitten • Good old fashioned charcuterie plate. Gather some cheddar cheese, ham, pickled eggs, homemade pickles, piccalilli and fresh baked bread, especially sour dough or rye. • Sandwiches: Try some smoked turkey or pork, place on some grilled rye toast, and top with sliced Leicester cheese. Vegetarian? Replace the meet with a grilled Portobello mushroom seasoned with sage and garlic. • Barbeque will balance great with Smitten as well with rustic malt flavors and hop bitterness. • Try some Smitten Mustard on any of these things! See recipe below. • For dessert, go for lemon squares to match those citrus aromas or go for a nice cheese and fruit plate. Bell’s Smitten Golden Rye Ale Mustard INGREDIENTS • 36 oounces or 3 bottles of Smitten – allow to sit in an open bowl, overnight, to allow carbonation to escape • 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar • 1 cup virgin olive oil • Juice of one lemon • ½ cup horseradish (Polish for nice and spicy – other types for milder heat) • 1 tsp. paprika • 1 tsp. chili powder • 1 tsp. ground cumin • 1 tsp. ground curry powder • 40 oz. ground mustard powder • 16 oz. light brown sugar • A good pinch or two of salt to taste DIRECTIONS Blend all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Sifting is best to remove any lumps. Be sure to mix all of the dry ingredients well. Blend together in the bowl with Smitten, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice. Gradually add to your dry mixture and blend until smooth. Use a hand whisk or electric beater if handy. Add to a large solid bottomed saucepan and gradually bring to a slow boil, this will allow you to heat without creating a head of foam. Nice and slow is best. Allow to simmer and reduce for 30 to 40 minutes. While simmering, heat pasteurize your glass jars and lids for cleanliness by placing jars into a boiling water bath. This will not only pasteurize your jars, but will help insure that the hot mustard will not break a cold jar. To learn more about canning, you can check out this Ball Canning beginner tutorial. Before adding, check consistency and if too thick, add a little more Smitten. If too thin, keep reducing. It will thicken slightly when cold. Taste and add salt if needed. Recipe will yield around 10 cups, depending on how thick you prefer your mustard. Stored in a refrigerator, your mustard should have a year of shelf life. Combine with a 6-pack of Bell’s Smitten! Enjoy!

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.