COMSTOCK, Mich. – A new year is in full-swing and Bell’s Brewery has a number of incredible releases planned for 2019.
First up is Hopslam. Cans, kegs and mini-kegs started shipping on Jan. 2. Events and special tappings continue as fresh Hopslam make its way to its final destinations after leaving the brewery.
Following Hopslam was the release of Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight, a new tart Fruit Ale brewed with passionfruit and lime zest. Bottles, cans and kegs have started shipping and begun appearing on store shelves and on tap. Flamingo Fruit Fight is the latest packaged release in the Larry’s Latest series, beers that highlight and continue the innovation that Larry Bell started in 1985 and continues at Bell’s to this day.
In February, Bell’s Official Hazy IPA will start heading out as Bell’s newest year-round offering. Cans, bottles and kegs will head to all of its markets followed closely by the return of summer and Oberon Ale! This year’s Oberon Release Day is set for March 25. Oberon mini-kegs featuring a brand new design for 2019 will follow later this summer.
“This is just a preview of coming attractions, though not all of them are ready to share just yet. We still have a few more surprises to come,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery said. “A few years ago we debuted The Planets Series, beers inspired by the work of Gustav Holst. This year, we’re going to introduce a new series inspired by the arts, but this time a little closer to home.”
“Our Leaves of Grass series will kick off later this year, we’ll have more to share on that soon,” he added.
2019 will also see the return of Sparkleberry and, after a two year hiatus, Smitten will also return in bottles and on draft.
Debuting in bottles for the first time will be the highly sought after Double Two Hearted, everything Bell’s fans love about our classic Two Hearted Ale, but in a Double IPA. It will ship in July.
Also coming in 2019 will be new packaging options, some new looks for Bell’s classics and an impressive lineup of Bell’s General Store exclusives, including 750 mL bottles that are a direct result of recent investments in Bell’s innovation pipeline. Consecrator Doppelbock and Quinannan Falls will both be bottled on Bell’s Specialty Line for release at the General Store as well.
Hopsoulution, a Double IPA that was added to Bell’s year-round lineup for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin last year will continue to be available in those states with the addition of Minnesota in April. It will remain a specialty release for the rest of Bell’s distribution footprint.
Other returning favorites include Third Coast Old Ale, Expedition Stout, Octoberfest, Arabicadabra Coffee Milk Stout and much more.
For the latest news and updates, stay in touch with Bell’s Brewery on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Untappd, by subscribing to its email newsletter and by visiting bellsbeer.com.
2019 Releases at a Glance
Specialty releases will be limited and availability will vary from area to area.
January
- HopslamDouble IPA (10 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs, 5L mini-kegs and draft
- Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight (5 percent ABV) – 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs, 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft
February
- Official Hazy IPA (6.4 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (Michigan only), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft
March
- Oberon Ale (5.8 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (NEW), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft
April
- Hopsoulution Double IPA* (8 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft
May
- Smitten Ale (6 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs and draft
- Pooltime Ale (5 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and draft
- 5L Oberon mini-kegs
- First release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA).
June
- Sparkleberry Ale (9 percent ABV) – 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft)
July
- Double Two Hearted (11 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 4-packs and draft
- Second release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA).
August
- Special Double Cream Stout (6.1 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs
September
- Best Brown Ale (5.8 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs (NEW) and 12-packs, 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft
- Octoberfest Beer (5.5 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs plus draft
- Expedition Stout (10.5 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft
- Third Coast Old Ale (10.2 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft
- Third release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA).
- Returning Double IPA (TBA)
October
- Arabicadabra Coffee Milk Stout (5.5 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft
November
- Winter White Ale (5 percent ABV) – 12 oz. cans packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs (NEW), 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, 16 oz. cans packaged in 4-packs and draft
- Christmas Ale (7.4 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and 12-packs, draft
- Cherry Stout (7 percent ABV) – 12 oz. bottles packaged in 6-packs and draft
- Fourth release in our new Leaves of Grass series (TBA).
*Hopsoulution is a year-round release for a handful of Bell’s states and a specialty release for the majority of Bell’s distribution area.
About Bell’s Brewery Inc.
Bell’s Brewery, Inc. began in 1985 with a quest for better beer and a 15 gallon soup kettle. Since then, we’ve grown into a regional craft brewery that employs more than 550 people over a 40 state area, in addition to Puerto Rico and Washington DC. The dedication to brewing flavorful, unfiltered, quality craft beers that started in 1985 is still with us today. We currently brew over 20 beers for distribution as well as many other small batch beers that are served at our pub in Kalamazoo, the Eccentric Cafe. Our ongoing goal is to brew thoughtfully, creatively and artistically. 100% family-owned and independent, we strive to bring an authentic and pleasant experience to all of our customers through our unique ales and lagers. For more information, please visit bellsbeer.com.