Our 7th Annual Bell’s Homebrew Competition Kick-off & Expo is coming up on Sept. 10 at Bell’s Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo.
The homebrewer who takes first place from this year's competition will get to brew their recipe at our original brewery to then go on tap at the Café next door.
The first place winner will also attend the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado as our guest. They'll team up with us for the 2017 Pro-Am Competition and attend both the awards ceremony and member’s only session.
We'll cover the cost of airfare to Denver and back (must be within the continental U.S.) and provide lodging for two nights.
“Homebrewing is how we got our start and this competition is one of the ways we honor that heritage. To be able to offer this kind of opportunity to a community that has given us so much is incredible and we are very happy to do it,” said Laura Bell, Vice President of Bell’s Brewery, Inc.
As in previous years, there is no cost to enter the competition and the only requirement is that you use our (Bell’s) wort, which will be available for free at the kick-off - while supplies last.
The Expo will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and feature Blichmann Engineering, Briess Malt, Pilot Malt House, Stir Starters, Whirlpool, Kalamazoo Libation Organization of Brewers (KLOB) and others.
Sign-up times for wort pickup will begin at 11 a.m. Wort will be distributed beginning around 1 p.m., first come, first served. In past years, more than 200 homebrewers have been able to receive wort.
Competition entries (four 12 oz. bottles) are due to the Bell’s General Store by 7 p.m., Sunday, October 30.
Check out What you need to know for our 2016 Homebrew Competition
The 2015 winning recipe, from David Hellen of New Hudson, MI, will be tapped for the first time at 2 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Café. Bale So Hard is a Farmhouse Ale brewed with HBC 438 and Mosaic hops.
Check out the gallery below from last year's Expo and competition judging and from brewing Bale so Hard.
Previous winners
2014: Coffee Mustache, a California Common style beer brewed with coffee from Matt VanNatter.
2013: Proud Mitten, a dry hopped IPA/Pale Ale made with Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops from David Lyman.
2012: Manden Med Leen, a black IPA brewed with Belgian yeast from Nick Rodammer.
2011: A Bit of Heat from Geoff Groff, brewed with paradise seeds, rose hips and habaneros.
2010: Oscar’s Folly, a collaborative IPA from Jarrett Cupp, Bailey Cupp and Paul Gentz.
