Updates from the busy world of Bell's Brewery Inc.

Bell's Brewery, Inc. is the most experienced brewer in a town rapidly adding local pubs that make their own beer. That experience is showing in a string of announcements from Bell's.

 

The most recent involves art work being unveiled at the Comstock Brewery at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. The work, titled “From Seed to the Senses”, is eleven-and-a-half feet tall by four feet wide and weighs approximately 1,400 pounds. 

 

An 80-year-old American Elm that grew at the home of Bell’s President and Founder Larry Bell in Kalamazoo was used in the creation of the wood sculpture. 

 

“Unfortunately, the tree had to be taken down. But this gives it new life and will inspire many more to come,” says Bell.

 

It was commissioned by Bell and created by Rockford-Illinois based artist Salem Barker. A film crew has also been following Barker throughout the process and interviewed Bell for a documentary that will focus on the artist and his creative process.

 

In other news for the brewery: 
 

• Two Hearted Ale and Oberon Ale will debut in cans beginning in late April, 2014. They will be available to purchase in 16-ounce four-packs in all markets to which the brewery currently distributes. Future can offerings will include Bell’s seasonal lineup: Best Brown Ale, Winter White Ale and Smitten Golden Rye Ale to start. “This new option will allow our fans to take our beer to places where glass is not allowed. It opens up a lot of new opportunities to enjoy Bell’s beer and that’s a win for everyone,” says Laura Bell, Bell’s Vice President. The brewery’s new canning line is part of Bell’s most recent expansion which also includes the addition of twelve 800-barrel fermenters to its Comstock Brewery. The filler will have the capacity to fill 500 cans a minute and is from KHS USA Inc. located just outside of Milwaukee, Wisc.

 

• Beginning in March, 2014, Bell’s beer will be available in north central Pennsylvania. Durdach Brothers Inc. have been chosen to represent the Bell’s brand in Bradford, Cameron, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union and Wyoming counties. Durdach Bros. Inc. is a family-owned distributor based in Paxinos, Penn., founded in 1938.  "I’m very excited with the opportunity to join the Bell’s distributor family here in Pennsylvania," says Rick Durdach, CEO of Durdach Brothers Inc.

 

•  After a successful rollout in western and upstate New York, Bell’s will be arriving in New York City beginning Feb. 10, 2014. Union Beer Distributors, part of the Sheehan Group, will distribute Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Amber, Kalamazoo Stout, Midwestern Pale Ale, Porter and Oarsman Ale and its seasonal lineup within the city and on Long Island. “We are excited to round out the state after an overwhelming response for our beer in western and upstate New York,” says Bell’s Vice President Laura Bell.

 

• Bell’s brought home two prestigious medals from this year’s 11th Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer, which took place in Chicago in mid-November. Le Bretteur, a specialty beer from Bell’s downtown Kalamazoo brewing team, won a gold medal in the Wild/Brett category. The category is designated for beers that are driven by Brettanomyces yeast fermentation but are not sour. The beer was also the judges’ favorite of all gold medal winners across 11 categories and awarded Best of Show.

 

• Beginning Nov. 1, Bell's in Comstock moved to a winter hours schedule for brewery tours. Tours at Bell's brewery in downtown Kalamazoo are unaffected and continue to be offered at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. For brewery tours in Comstock there are two changes: Public visiting hours during the week will be offered from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; guided public tours will be offered only at 12:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, except on holidays. Private group tours are still an option at the Comstock location on other weekends, and this change will actually allow Bell's to expand the available time window for bus groups and other large tours. For those interested in group tours, please contact Bell's Tour Coordinator.