Bell's Brewery

Bell's Brewery is an American craft brewery founded in 1985 by Larry Bell. Originally established as the Kalamazoo Brewing Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, it is one of the oldest and largest independent craft breweries in the Midwestern United States. The brewery is renowned for its flagship IPA, Two Hearted Ale, and for its influential role in the growth of the American craft beer movement.

History

The brewery's origins trace back to 1983 when founder Larry Bell began selling homebrewed beer from a soup kettle in a storefront adjacent to his Kalamazoo, Michigan homebrewing supply shop. Incorporated in 1985, the Kalamazoo Brewing Company initially produced beer using a 15-gallon system. A significant early milestone was the 1986 release of Bell's Amber Ale, which helped establish the brewery's regional presence. Expansion necessitated a move to a larger production facility in Comstock, Michigan in 2003, while the original Kalamazoo, Michigan location was transformed into a brewpub and innovation hub known as the Eccentric Café. The brewery has navigated the competitive landscape of the American craft beer movement, maintaining independence while growing into a major regional producer with distribution across much of the United States.

Products

The brewery's portfolio includes a wide range of year-round, seasonal, and specialty beers. Its most celebrated product is Two Hearted Ale, an IPA hopped exclusively with Centennial hops that has consistently ranked among the top beers in annual surveys by *Zymurgy* magazine. Another iconic year-round offering is Bell's Oberon Ale, a American wheat ale released each spring that has become a cultural phenomenon in its home state. The brewery also produces the Bell's Expedition Stout, a robust Russian imperial stout, and a series of limited-release sour beers under the Wild One program. Seasonal releases like Bell's Hopslam Ale, a double IPA, and the Bell's Christmas Ale are highly anticipated by consumers.

Brewery operations

Primary production occurs at a large-scale facility in Comstock, Michigan, which houses extensive brewhouse operations, fermentation tanks, and packaging lines. The original site in Kalamazoo, Michigan functions as the Eccentric Café, a taproom and restaurant that serves as a pilot brewery for experimental batches and a venue for live music. The company operates its own distribution fleet in key markets and sources ingredients with a focus on quality, including a long-term partnership with a family-owned hop farm in the Pacific Northwest. Sustainability initiatives have been integrated into operations, including efforts in energy conservation, water reclamation, and spent grain recycling, often in partnership with local Michigan farms.

Awards and recognition

The brewery and its beers have received numerous accolades from major international competitions. Two Hearted Ale has won multiple gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. Bell's Expedition Stout has also earned medals at the World Beer Cup, solidifying its reputation among stout aficionados. In recognition of his pioneering work, founder Larry Bell was inducted into the Brewers Association's Hall of Fame in 2018. The brewery's consistent quality and innovation have been highlighted in publications like BeerAdvocate and Wine Enthusiast, and it is frequently cited as a foundational influence by other brewers within the American craft beer movement.

Cultural impact

Bell's Brewery has exerted a profound influence on both the regional identity of Michigan and the national craft beer landscape. The annual release of Bell's Oberon Ale is treated as a statewide celebration, marking the arrival of spring with events at bars and restaurants across the Midwestern United States. The Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, Michigan has become a vital community hub, hosting local artists and musicians and fostering a culture around craft beer. The brewery's success helped pave the way for the subsequent explosion of microbreweries in Michigan and beyond, inspiring a generation of brewers. Its commitment to artistic label design, most notably for the Hopslam and Expedition Stout brands, has also contributed to the visual culture of the industry.

Category:American breweries Category:Companies based in Michigan Category:Food and drink companies established in 1985