Bell's Homebrew Competition and Expo
Held annually in September, this competition debuted in 2010 and offers the winner a chance to brew their recipe at our downtown Kalamazoo brewery. The winning entry will then go on tap at the Eccentric Cafe. We even provide the wort! Representatives from local homebrew organizations also attend and exhibit, making this a very popular event. For more on the latest competition winners, go here.
BEER RECIPES
The Bell's General Store offers a free recipe of the month. Take a look at current and past offerings below.
• Oatmeal Porter, January 2012
• Mean Galene - Black IPA, February 2012
• Spring Heat American Wheat, March 2012
• When The Weather Is Fine Wheat Ale,
May 2012
• Partial Mash Rye IPA, June 2012
• Best Bell's Babies Brown, July 2012
• The 3rd Rule (Barley Wine), August 2012
• Brunch Milk Stout, September 2012
• Spalt of the Earth Altbier, October 2012
• Biere de Garde, December 2012
• Mid-Winter Pale Ale, February 2013
More ways to connect
Homebrewing
is at our core
Before there was a Bell's Brewery, Inc., Larry Bell, Bell's founder and president, worked part time at Sarkozy's Bakery where he became interested in yeast and fermentation. In 1983 he opened a homebrew supply store on Burdick St. in downtown Kalamazoo (pictured at right) not far from where the Eccentric Cafe and original brewery still operate. The Bell's General Store continues that homebrewing spirit today offering advice, quality ingredients and equipment for all skill levels. We hope that the resources available here will inspire you to find your own style and create something we can all raise a glass to.
Homebrew help & events
Have a question about brewing at home? We may be able to help. Send us your questions.
We also host homebrew demonstrations and other events on a regular basis at the Eccentric Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo.
COMING UP
June 5: Homebrewing and Bottling Demonstration, 6 p.m.
You can also browse the photo gallery below from past events.
Supplies, equipment
Need hops, yeast, malt, sanitizer, books or anything else? Be sure to visit the Bell's General Store online or in person at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in Kalamazoo, conveniently located next to the Eccentric Cafe.
Homebrew blog
As part of our ongoing mission to provide our fans with as many homebrew resources as possible, we've launched a Tumblr blog. The entries are also available via the RSS feed below. Learn about equipment and find recipes, tips, news, links and anything else we can think of to help make you a better homebrewer. Be sure to bookmark this page or the Tumblr version.
