KALAMAZOO – Representatives from KLOB (Kalamazoo Libation Organization of Brewers) will demonstrate the art of homebrewing at Bell’s Eccentric Café to celebrate Big Brew Day on Saturday (May 5).

This annual event organized by the American Homebrewers Association is a celebration of National Homebrew Day, which is May 7.

Every year homebrewers invite family and friends to brewing sites around the world on the first Saturday in May to celebrate this holiday. More than 5,000 homebrewers from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia are expected to participate this year, according to the AHA. 

All grain demonstrations will begin at 10 a.m. while extract demos will begin around noon. This demonstration will be an all day event, so feel free to come and go as you wish. All skill levels are welcome. Bring your questions and enjoy a Bell’s beer while you are there.

For more on Big Brew Day, including a look at this year’s official recipes, go here.

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

Michigan

May 1

Pauly's beer dinner
Flat River Grill will host a five course beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Lowell. The menu:

First course: Amber Ale with tomato terrine, pistachio biscotti, 25 year balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, stuffed cherry tomato garnie

Second course: Winter White with dried fruit and peach salad dressed with roasted radish vinaigrette and Haarsma Apiaries honey

Third course: Two Hearted IPA with salmon gravlax over braised cabbage and herbed truffle vinaigrette

Fourth course: Consecrator Doppelbock with roasted pork belly with pan jus over baby herbed marbled potatoes

Fifth course: Cherry Stout with white chocolate terrine with dried cherry sauce and Jack Daniels ice cream

May 2

Bell's beer dinner
Terry B's in Dexter will host their five course beer dinner starting at 6 p.m. On the menu:

Reception Beers: Amber & Lager Beer

First course: Oberon Ale paired with potato chip crusted mahi mahi, fried green tomatoes, orange thyme mustard and sambuca greens

Second course: Two Hearted IPA paired with spicy corn bisque, pickled peppers, smoked salmon and laughing bird shrimp

Intermezzo: Oarsman Ale sorbet

Third course: Consecrator Doppelbock paired with braised pork belly, caramelized onions, beluga lentils, pistachio and Consecrator Doppelbock puree, natural reduction

Fourth course: Hell Hath No Fury paired with Culver Farms Duck “ham,” golden raisin bread pudding, braised wild ramps, hedgehog mushrooms, plum jus

Fifth course: Bell’s Porter “Rolo” cheesecake, Guernsy Dairy coffee ice cream, saskatoon beery chocolate “shot,” black lava sea salt and smoked cashews.

May 4

Quatro de Mayo
Foran's Grand Trunk Pub in Detroit will feature 7 Bell's beers on tap plus a firkin of Hopslam: Consecrator Doppelbock, Cherry Stout, Oberon, Hell Hath No Fury ... Ale, The Oracle, Oarsman and Two Hearted.

Illinois

May 2

Beer Social: Bottom Lounge, Chicago
Join us for 6 Bell's beers (including Black Note, Oarsman, Oberon, Sparkling Ale and Debs' Red) paired with 4 sausages starting at 7 p.m. After 9 p.m., the party will continue with a summer patio kick-off party featuring Oberon. For more information, go here.

May 6

Super Focused No Bull Sh*t Beer and Spirits Festival
This event is 21 and over and a valid ID is required for entry. Other participating breweries include Dogfish Head, Firestone, Walker, Founders Brewing Co., Great Lakes, New Belgium, New Holland Brewing Co., Three Floyds, Stone and more.

North Carolina

May 2

Bells Night: Dilworth Neighborhood Grill, Charlotte
Amber Ale, Black Note, Consecrator Doppelbock, Expedition Stout, Lager Beer, Oarsman Ale, Oberon, Porter, Two Hearted Ale, Harvest Ale and a Two Hearted Firkin will be on tap starting at 5 p.m.

Georgia

May 5

Bell’s and tacos
Join us at high noon for some very rare Bell's beers and house made tacos from Chef Rian Tittle. More than ten different Bell's beers plus a few rarities will be featured including Harvest Ale and Black Note at Brickstore Pub in Decatur.

Looking ahead

Upcoming events include a beer dinner in Midland, Mich. and a day at the (Bell’s) Circus in Wisconsin. Take a look at our full calendar for more information.

Here’s a look at Bell’s beer events coming up this week in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Pennsylvania

April 24

Pittsburgh Beer Week
Harris Grill and Bell's will celebrate Pittsburgh Beer Week with a variety of Bell's beers on tap including the very rare Black Note Stout! Add the fact that it's also Bacon Night and you have no more excuses. Event starts at 6 p.m. Call 412-362-5273 for more information.

North Dakota

April 24

Bell's night
Enjoy some of the only kegs of Golden Rye, Harvest Ale and Debs’ Red in North Dakota starting at 5 p.m. at The Walrus in Bismarck. Call 701-250-0020 for more information.

Michigan

April 26

Bell's beer dinner
Gun Lake Casino in Wayland will host a four course beer dinner starting at 7 p.m.  Here’s the menu:

Appetizer: Infused chicken wings served with a yogurt carrot and celery slaw paired with Pale Ale

Soup and salad: Sharp cheddar Oarsman Ale soup and a wedge salad with a Chardonnay vinaigrette paired with Oarsman Ale

Entree: Two seared medallions of beer tenderloin with grilled asparagus and an Oberon reduction glaze paired with Oberon Ale

Dessert: Rosemary infused flourless chocolate torte with a raspberry coulis and sweet whipped cream paired with Kalamazoo Stout.

Call 269-792-7609 for more information.

Wisconsin

April 27

Bell's night
Join us for Oberon, Harvest Ale and Black Note at Bodega Brew Pub in La Crosse starting at 7 p.m.  Call 608-782-0677 for more information.

April 28

Between The Bluffs Beer Fest
We'll be pouring Oberon, Two Hearted and a firkin of Hopslam. For tickets and more information, visit www.betweenthebluffsbeerfest.com/

Looking ahead

Join us for a beer dinner in Lowell (Michigan), a beer social in Chicago, Bell’s night in Charlotte (North Carolina) and more. View our complete calendar here.