After a two year absence from Chicagoland, the brands of Bell's Brewery — including favorites such as Oberon Ale, Bell's Amber Ale, Kalamazoo Stout and Bell's Porter — are back.

The recent announcement of distribution agreements with Central Beverage Company, Schamberger Brothers, and Skokie Valley Beverage Company means that Chicagoans can enjoy these renowned craft beers once again, starting on August 1st.

"For many craft beer enthusiasts in this city, these brands were their first introduction to full-flavor,  thoughtful brewing,” remarked Donna Spagnola, president and owner of Central Beverage Company. “We're extremely excited to be a part of bringing them back to Illinois."

“I love Chicago and there's no big city I spend more time in,” added Larry Bell, owner and founder of Bell’s Brewery. “I'm thrilled that our beer will be available again in this market and I'm very pleased to be working with such first-rate distributors. It's a true partnership — they know their markets and they know our beers."

The company hopes to widen its distribution throughout Illinois in the near future.

While they may not have been a presence in Chicago over the past two years, the Bell's Brewery brands have been earning accolades around the country. Most recently, at the 2008 Brewers Association World Beer Cup in San Diego, where 2,864 beers from 644 breweries and 58 countries were judged by an esteemed panel, Bell's Porter captured a gold medal in the Brown Porter category. At the 2008 Brewers Cup in Indiana, Bell's Double Brown, Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock and Bell's Porter all won gold in their respective categories.

"We've always believed that if we stay focused on brewing good beer, good things will happen," noted Bell. "The return of these brands to Chicago — where I was born and raised — proves that."

Bell’s Brewery distributes beer in fifteen states. The company  produces a variety of unfiltered, bottle-conditioned beers, ales, porters and stouts. In 2007, sales volume exceeded 90,000 barrels, anincrease of more than 22% from the previous year. Similar growth is expected this year.

Before David Beckham and Mia Hamm became the uber-stars of soccer, they played on the fields of England and Texas as students and amateur players. Understanding the need to support amateur athletes, Bell's Brewery is a proud sponsor of the newly named Kalamazoo Outrage soccer club. The Kalamazoo Outrage is a part of the United Soccer League (USL) and consists of both a Premier Development League (PDL) and W-League teams. PDL is an Men's Under 23 amateur league for elite players throughout North America and the W-League is the highest level of amateur women's soccer in the US and Canada. "It's an honor to have signed a three year sponsorship with the Kalamazoo Outrage," says Angie Bell, vice president & marketing director of Bell's Brewery. "It's a great pleasure to be a part of this increasingly popular sport." While the Outrage is new to the roster, the USL has been providing opportunities to professional and amateur soccer players since the mid-eighties -- the same time that Bell's sold its first beer. The PDL and W-League have a roster of games throughout the summer and all Outrage home games are played at Mayor's Riverfront Park in Kalamazoo. "I can't wait to see what these teams accomplish their first year," says Bell, "Hard work, tenacity - whether on the field or in the community - you put those two things together and amazing things can happen." For a complete Kalamazoo Outrage schedule, visit www.kalamazoooutrage.com 

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Not only is Bell’s Brewery surging in popularity around the country, it continues to earn serious accolades for the flavor and the quality of its beer.

This time, it’s Bell’s Porter, honored with Gold in the Brown Porter category at the Brewers Association World Beer Cup Gala Awards Ceremony, held in San Diego on April 18th. In 2008, this competition saw 644 breweries from 58 countries vie for honors in 91 categories.  The panel, comprised of 129 people from 21 countries, judged more than 2,864 beers.  

“Like many fans of our beer, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for our Porter,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. “This recognition, on an international stage, confirms that this is a very special beer.”

A Silver in the Brown Porter category went to Cutthroat Porter from the Odell Brewing Company of Fort Collins, CO, while a Bronze went to St. Charles Porter from Blackstone Brewery in Nashville, TN. 

 “We’ve never been a brewery that chases after every medal out there,” remarked Bell. “But winning at the World Beer Cup, where there are so many entries from both 
international breweries and the finest craft brewers in the United States, confirms that we’re doing things right.”

The award adds to the success that Bell’s is currently enjoying in the marketplace. In 2007, sales volume crested 90,000 barrels — an increase of more than 22% from 2006 — and distribution grew to 15 states, including Florida. 

“This World Beer Cup Gold shows that even with our growth, the focus has remained on making beer that is full of character and consistent in quality,” noted Larry Bell. “We’ve long believed that if we do everything well in the brewery, sales will follow.”

To find out more about the 2008 World Beer Cup, visit www.WorldBeerCup.org. 

For more information about Bell’s Brewery and its brands, visit www.bellsbeer.com.