Several of us here at Bell’s started off as homebrewers, and many of the people who help bring Bell’s beer to you still are.

Larry Bell began homebrewing while working at Sarkozy Bakery in Kalamazoo. To cut down on drives to Detroit or Chicago to buy ingredients and gear, he opened a home-brew supply shop right here in our hometown of Kalamazoo. That eventually became the Kalamazoo Brewing Company, and then later, Bell’s Brewery.

Homebrewing is still a big part of who we are. Our General Store has a wide range of supplies and ingredients both online and at our store at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, MI.

And every year we host homebrewing competitions for the public and our employees. The winners get to brew their beer on our original downtown Kalamazoo brewery and have it go on tap at the Eccentric Café.

If you ever have any questions about home brewing or something related to a specific batch, we’re here to help. Call our General Store at 269-382-5712 or e-mail us here.

If you’re looking to harvest our yeast for your home-brew, we have some tips here.

There are also several clone recipes for some of our favorite beers. Check out our store for pre-made kits.

Here are some recipes and tips:

• Expedition Stout (American Homebrewers Association)
• Smitten
• Two Hearted Ale
• Oberon
• Hopslam
• Amber Ale