A look at Bell’s beer events in Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina and Kentucky this week.

Michigan

Nov. 4

Beer Tasting at Drake Party Store
Join us in Kalamazoo for a Bell’s beer tasting and six-pack discounts from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Nov. 5

Beer and cheese pairing
Taste selected cheeses paired with Bell’s beer at Harding’s on Centre Street in Portage from noon to 2 p.m.

Sunset on the Season Party – Iceman Cometh Challenge
Enjoy multiple Bell’s beers on draft after the race including Two Hearted, Winter White, Christmas Ale, Hell Hath No Fury … Ale, Q-Falls, Sparkling Ale and more at the Loading Dock in Traverse City. Bell's Brewery is the proud sponsor of the 2011 Iceman Cometh Challenge. For more information, go here.

Learn to Homebrew Day
Join the Bell's crew and KLOB and learn how to make your own beer. Demonstrations begin at 10 a.m. For more information, go here.

Nov. 6

All Stouts Day
Sample 14 different stouts on tap at Bell’s Eccentric Café starting at noon. Various smoked foods will be featured and the winner of the 2^nd Annual Bell’s Homebrew Competition will also be announced. In the photo above, are the 129 entries received this year.

Illinois

Nov. 3

Bell’s Beer Dinner
Francesca’s Amici in Elmhurst will host a five-course dinner featuring our beer at 7 p.m. Take a look at the menu here. Call 630-279-7970 for more information.

Nov. 5

Beer Hoptacular, Chicago
For one flat fee, sample more than a 100 different beers and vote for your favorite. This year, there are two sessions. For more information, go here.

South Carolina

Nov. 5

Bluffton International & Craft Beer Fest
At 2 p.m. we’ll be pouring Best Brown, Amber, Kalamazoo Stout and Oarsman Ale at The Promenade. For more details on the festival, go here.

Kentucky

Nov. 1

Hopsoulution tapping
A special kep of our DIPA will be tapped at 5 p.m. along with Best Brown and Two Hearted Ale at Cock and Bull English Pub in Covnigton.

Looking ahead

A Bell’s beer tasting as part of Richmond Beer Week in Virginia, a tap takeover at The Beer Bistro in Chicago and more.

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.