First, he identifies a subject. Then he does a little recon for safety.

And with just the right amount of wind, Kalamazoo's Jim Ratliff sends his cameras into the sky a little at a time. He photographs a perspective that is not easy, especially when you also have to take natural lighting, wind direction, wind speed and the challenge of flying a kite into consideration.

Yes, the aerial views of Bell's production facility in Comstock, Mich. below, were taken from a kite.

Ratliff estimates his highest shot was at least 375 feet above ground. He uses his camera's timer to shoot at 10 second intervals with the help of a Sun Oak 9.5-foot Delta Conyne.

Thank you Jim, for sharing. You can see more Kite Aerial Photography by Jim Ratliff here.

Here is a look at events featuring Bell’s beer this week in Michigan, Virginia, Illinois, Washington DC and Alabama. Friday is also the deadline to enter Bell’s 2^nd Annual Homebrew Competition.

Michigan

Oct. 26

Bell’s Beer Dinner in Plainwell
This five course dinner will also feature an early release of Bell’s seasonal Christmas Ale at Four Roses Cafe. Space is limited and reservations are required. Below is the menu:

• Smoked salmon mousse paired with Bell’s Oarsman Ale.
• Alsacienne sauerkraut soup paired with Third Coast Beer.
• Braised beef with sage polenta paired with Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury … Ale.
• Maple mustard baby back ribs paired with Bell’s Christmas Ale.
• Baked apple with caramel sauce paired with Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale.

Call 269-685-1077 for more information.

Virginia

Oct. 27

Bell’s Halloween Beer Dinner
This one of a kind event will feature darker beers at Patrick Henry Pub in Richmond. If you wear a costume, you can save $5 on admission. Call 804-644-4242 for more information. Be sure to check out the menu (download it here).

Illinois

Oct. 27

Bell’s HopFest
Clark St. Ale House in Chicago has been saving some of our hoppier beers just for this occasion. Sample Oracle, vintage Hopslam, Hopsoulution and more.  Because of limited supplies, make sure to get there early. Call 312-642-9253 for more information.

Washington DC

Oct. 24

Hopsoulution tapping
Be one of the first to sample Bell’s Hopsoulution at Birch & Barley/ChurchKey. Best Brown Ale, Cherry Stout, Expedition Stout, Java Stout, Special Double Cream Stout and Two Hearted Ale will also be featured. Call 202-567-2576 for more information.

Alabama

Oct. 27

Taste of Mobile
This annual event will not only feature more than 40 booths and the opportunity to sample some of the finest cuisine the area has to offer, but also the debut of Bell’s Best Brown Ale in the coastal region. Amber Ale will also be available to sample as well. For more information, go here.

Looking ahead

Coming up next week: The release of Christmas Ale, A beer dinner at Francesca's Amici in Elmhurst, IL; All Stouts Day at the Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, Mich.; Beer Hoptacular, Iceman Cometh Challenge and more.

Here is a look at events featuring Bell’s beer this week in Michigan, Ohio, North Dakota and Virginia.

Michigan

Oct. 20-22

Detroit Beer Week, Detroit Fall Beer Festival
A multi-course beer dinner at the Rattlesnake Club will kick-off a series of Bell’s events leading up to the 3^rd Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market (go here to see what we’ll be pouring). Other events include a special tapping of Raspberry Ale among others and the Four O’s of Bell’s at Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub. For more on Detroit Beer Week, go here.

Ohio

Oct. 18-22

Cleveland Beer Week
There will be no shortage of Bell’s beer on hand for the third annual Cleveland Beer Week. See how things are done at the Eccentric Café when we take over the taps at the Buckeye Beer Engine then follow that with Bell’s Pint Night at Parnell’s Pub, a beer dinner with Larry Bell, three stops on the Red Carpet Ride, a Premiere Beer and Cheese Pairing, a Bell’s tap takeover, a special tapping of Quinannan Falls, a Bell’s Beer Tour and the Brewzilla After Party. For more on Cleveland Beer Week, go here.

North Dakota

Oct. 19

Bell’s Stout Night
Enjoy special tappings of Kalamazoo Stout, Java Stout, Cherry Stout, Double Cream Stout and Expedition Stout with Jason Gillum starting at 6 p.m. at JL Beers-Downtown in Fargo. For more information, go here.

Oct. 21

Bell’s Cask Ale Night
Enjoy a special cask of Best Brown Ale and see how beer was meant to be enjoyed beginning at 4 p.m. at the Ho-Do Lounge in Fargo. For more details, go here.

Oct. 22-23

NoVA BrewFest
This event will feature more than 40 of the world’s best breweries, delicious food and live entertainment over two days. For more information, go here.

Virginia

Oct. 20

Bell’s Beer Dinner
Five courses, five Bell’s beers – enjoy one of the most highly anticipated beer dinners of the year at Magnolia’s at the Mill in Purcellville. For more details, go here.

Looking ahead

Next week you can look forward to a Bell's beer dinner in Plainwell, Michigan, Bell's HopFest and more.