One of Bell’s Brewery’s first beers has a distinct new look.

Originally Great Lakes Amber Ale, Bell’s Amber Ale was first packaged with three different labels after it debuted in 1985. They featured a series of shorebirds – a seagull, a wood duck and a heron. Each was dated with the season and as the brewery grew, both the wood duck and the seagull were phased out. In 1990, the heron became the official label.

Although the recipe remains largely unchanged since the beginning, Larry Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery, felt a new label was in order and selected a series of paint­ings by Michigan artist Kath­leen Kalinowski to represent Amber Ale going forward.

Four of the five new labels feature Michigan landscapes. The fifth features “Isla Lake,” a pond in Yellowstone National Park on the Continental Divide, which kind of looks like a scene from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, according to Kalinowski. The six-pack carrier features the painting “Lake Michigan Dunes.”

“I am thrilled to have my artwork discovered by Bell's and being showcased on their flagship beer,” Kalinowski said.

This isn’t the first time Bell’s fans have been introduced to Kalinowski’s work. She was also commissioned to create the waterfall painting featured on the label of Quinannan Falls Special Lager Beer, part of the Eccentric Café only 750ML bottle series.

Kalinowski has been working as a professional fine artist for the past twenty years using oils and pastels mostly plein air.

“I paint outside, in all seasons, as much as I can to really observe and fully experience my subjects. One of my favorite subjects is painting water, whether it is Lake Michigan, a pond, or a small stream,” Kalinowski said.

Kalinowski is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and attended Kendall College of Art and Design. She has been featured in various publications and has exhibited throughout Michigan and many other states.

You can see more of Kalinowski’s work at www.KalinowskiFineArt.com.

Here is a look at Bell’s beer events this week in Virginia, Illinois and Washington DC.

Virginia

Nov. 9

Ring the Bell’s
Head over to the Beer Run in Charlottesville for Q-Falls, The Oracle Double IPA, Hell Hath No Fury....Ale, Two Hearted Ale (which will run as the IPA feature all weekend long),  Amber Ale, Best Brown Ale and the only keg of Deb's Red to make it to the commonwealth starting at 6 p.m. Call 434-984-2337 for more information.

Illinois

Nov. 9

Tap Takeover at The Beer Bistro
Join us for a tap takeover in Chicago featuring year round favorites as well as some special beers The Beer Bistro has been holding onto just for this occasion. No cover. Call 312-433-0013 for more information.

Nov. 12-13

Great American Cooking Expo
Enjoy two days of sampling some of the best food, wine and of course, (Bell’s) beer at Arlington Park Racecourse. For more information, go here.

Washington DC

Nov. 10

Tap takeover at Iron Horse Tap Room
Sample several unique Bell's beers on draft as well as seasonal favorites:  Amber Ale, Christmas Ale, Hopsoulution, Porter, Sparkling Ale, Special Double Cream Stout and Winter White Ale. Call 202-347-7665 for more information.

Looking ahead to next week

Black Note in Kentucky, a beer dinner in Michigan, a Michigan tap takeover in Illinois and more. To view all upcoming events, go here.

KALAMAZOO – The wait is over.

The winners of Bell’s 2^nd Annual Homebrew Competition were announced during All Stouts Day at Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo this past Sunday.

Out of 129 entries, first place went to Geoff Groff for his IPA brewed with a touch of smoked malt and spiced with paradise seeds, with rose hips added. A Habanero pepper was also used for “A Bit of Heat.”

Groff will get to brew his beer with brewer Andy Farrell at Bell’s downtown Kalamazoo brewery to go on tap at the Eccentric Café.

Second place went to Jeff Frein for his saison brewed with orange blossom honey and coriander.

Third place went to Pat Tkacz for his “marriage between a stout and an IPA with a chocolate and hop taste.”

Honorable mentions also went to Andrew Hudson (carrot cake ale spiced with vanilla, cinnamon, all-spice, nutmeg, brown sugar  and Bourbon soaked raisins), Clayton MacDonald (ginger strawberry hopped ale), Steven D. Cooper (raspberry zerbert - light blonde ale), Adam Majka and Chris Elston (dry-hopped “BIG” beer brewed with Michigan honey and homegrown hops), Nelson Tansey (dry-hopped ale brewed with some brown sugar) and Ron Brady (IPA brewed with three different hops).

Congratulations to all the winners and a special thank you to all who competed.

CAPTION: Bell's marketing director Laura Bell announces the winner of the 2nd Annual Bell's Homebrew Competition. Geoff Groff will get to brew his beer at Bell's downtown Kalamazoo brewery to go on tap at the Eccentric Cafe.