You may have noticed that the online version of the Bell’s General Store has been undergoing some major renovations over the last few weeks.

Not only has the store been given a face-lift, but the entire site has been redesigned from the bottom up.

"It’s now more secure. Processing orders is faster and overall, it’s a more pleasant and modern shopping experience,” said Drew Bell, General Store Online Manager.

The website debuted in 2001 and hasn't had a major update like this in at least four years.

Drew and Adam Stubbs of Advantage Communication Enterprises, a Kalamazoo based web development company, have been planning and developing this latest overhaul for the last year-and-a-half.

“This is an ongoing process. We will continue to make improvements over the next few months and beyond to make sure our customers have the best possible experience. We want to make sure it’s hassle free, that customers get a good price, they are happy with their purchases and they get them on time,” said Drew.

Some of the new features include:

• Faster image and page loading

• Improved site search and navigation: The search tool will offer suggestions with images to help you quickly find what you are looking for.

• Sharable wish lists: Add as much as you like and share with your friends and families. Use them for holidays, birthdays and more.

• Additional account management tools and easier tracking: Manage multiple shipping and billing addresses, view your order status and track it from home as well.

• New Bell’s saver shipping and free shipping on select items: Choose the most economical and preferred shipping method while saving money.

• Up to date information pages: Stay current on return and exchange policies – quick and easy.

The Bell’s online store will also start accepting additional payment methods including Master Card, VISA and Discover soon. Gift cards that will be redeemable online, in person at both the General Store, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo, or at the adjoining Eccentric Café will also be available in the next few months as well.

Explore the redesigned website here.

ENGLAND – Bell’s Brewery sent one of its own more than 3,000 miles away from home to help create a new beer.

This beer will help those who frequent about 850 establishments across Britain get to know both Bell’s and American brewing a little better.

Bell’s Production Supervisor John Mallett arrived in the UK early last week to help brew about 300 barrels of Kalamazoo Black Silk, an oatmeal porter at Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent.

“I want it to drink silky smooth and be a very traditional cask conditioned beer with an American twist. It will be very flavorable, but very low in alcohol,” he said by phone after his arrival.

J.D. Wetherspoon, the largest pub chain in England, will serve this new creation during what they are calling the world’s biggest Real Ale & Cider Festival.

Wetherspoon invites international brewers to selected UK breweries, which gives them a chance to try something different, but it also has benefits for the visiting brewer as well.

In England, most people have already heard about Kalamazoo. It has resonance, but no one really has any idea where it is, Mallett said.

“It’s a great opportunity to brew in a different environment. It enhances the Bell’s brand; it gets our name out there and even promotes beer tourism,“ he said.

Marston uses a recirculatng fermentation or union system (pictured above) that features a row of casks connected to a common trough with a series of pipes. As the beer ferments and carbon dioxide is produced, the barrels foam over. A swan neck pipe with a 180 degree turn pours liquid into the trough above. The yeast settles out to be used again and the beer flows back into the casks.

The brewery even has an active union cooper constantly rebuilding the system using some pretty old school tools (photo at right).

While it won’t be available here in the U.S., brewing Kalamazoo Black Silk will still have some additional benefits for beer fans back home.

Mallett said he is very interested in working with some unusual ingredients at Bell’s downtown Kalamazoo brewery that he had never come across before including golden naked oats and malts from a Dutch malting company in Northern England.

Here is a look at Bell’s beer events this week in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

Michigan

An evening with the Henhouse Prowlers

When: Sept. 8, 9:30 p.m.

Where: Bell’s Eccentric Café, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo

Details: Winners of the 2010 Northwest String Summit Band Competition. Bluegrass, acoustic and indie music

Cost: $5

More info: henhouseprowlers.com

Bell’s tap takeover

When: Sept. 9, starting at 4 p.m.

Where: Upfront & Company, 102 E. Main St., Marquette

Details: Try rare and specialty drafts.

More info: Call 906-228-5200 or visit upfrontandcompany.com

Bell’s beer tasting

When: Sept. 9, from 2-4 p.m.

Where: The Den, 2917 Howard St., Kalamazoo

Details: Pouring Two Hearted Ale, Porter, Oarsman Ale and Octoberfest Beer.

More info: Call 269-381-5857 or go online to discountden.com

An evening with The David Mayfield Parade

When: Sept. 9, 9:30 p.m.

Where: Bell’s Eccentric Café, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo

Details: Americana, folk, rock, roots music

Cost: $6

More info: thedavidmayfieldparade.com

3^rd Annual U.P. Beer Festival

When: Sept. 10, from 1-6 p.m.

Where: Mattson Lower Harbor Park, next to Lake Superior in Marquette

Details: 30 Michigan craft brewers. Rain or shine event. Bell’s will be pouring Oberon, Two Hearted IPA, Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Octoberfest, Oarsman, Quinannan Falls Special Lager, Black Note Stout, Batch 10,000 and Kalamazoo Stout

Cost: $30 in advance or $35 at the gate.

More info: Visit mbgmash.org or michiganbrewersguild.org.

Bell’s Beer Garden Closer/Homebrew Expo & Competition/Brewery tours/Hot Dog Eating Contest/Meet and Greet

When: Sept. 10 starting at 11 a.m.

Where: Bell’s Eccentric Café, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo

Cost: Tours, hot dog eating contest and homebrew expo are all free. Tickets for the Beer Garden Closer with Kyle Hollingsworth Band and The MacPodz are $15.

More info: For complete details, go here.

Illinois

Chicago Botanic Garden Farm Dinner

When: Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.

Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe

Details: Celebrate the connection between farmland and locally grown food with Bell’s beer.

Cost: $200 per person

More info: Call 847-835-5440 or go online to chicagobotanic.org

Octoberfest tasting and party

When: Sept. 8, from 5-8 p.m.

Where: Gene's Sausage Shop, 4750 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

Details: Kick off the German American Heritage Festival Weekend with Octoberfest on the rooftop (weather permitting).

More info: Call 773-728-7243 or go online to genessausageshop.com

Indiana

Oracle tapping

When: Sept. 9, starting at 4 p.m.

Where: Constant Spring, 219 S. Main St., Goshen

Details: Oberon, Octoberfest and Two Hearted Ale will also be on tap. Bottles of Oarsman, Pale Ale, Amber Ale and Two Hearted will be featured as well. Live music.

Cost: No cover charge.

More info: Call 574-533-3302 or go online to aconstantspring.com

Zoo Brew III

When: Sept. 10, from 7-10 p.m.

Where: Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave., South Bend

Details: Tickets are sold out. Proceeds will benefit wildlife conservation, new naturalistic exhibits for the animals and education programs.

More info: Visit potawatomizoo.org.

Pennsylvania

Bell's tap takeover

When: Sept. 9, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Harris Grill, 5747 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh

Details: 10 Bell’s beers on tap, including Expedition Stout and Batch 10,000

For more info: Call 412-362-5273 or visit them online at harrisgrill.com.

Looking ahead to next week

Minute to Win it Party at Shakespeare’s Pub in Kalamazoo, A Celebration of Food, Beer and Music at Central City Tap House, Edgewater Lounge 10 Year Anniversary Party and more.