WHAT: Bell’s Brewery is expanding its Dark Night, Darker Beers celebration following the success of its Michigan-focused event in 2017. This year, celebrations will be held across Bell’s distribution footprint.
These events will celebrate the longest night of the year (the Winter Solstice) with multiple Bell’s stouts on tap including two specialties that rarely travel beyond the Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo. The exact lineup will vary from event to event, but below are some of the stouts that will be available:
· Trumpeter’s Stout (4% ABV) – Originally debuting as one of the “10 Stouts of November” in 2001, this beer has seen a couple of recipe tweaks over the years. This latest version takes the same hop and malt profile as the previous and adds a small amount of lactobacillus for a low-alcohol, incredibly drinkable and flavorful session stout.
· Bear Hug Imperial Stout (9.5% ABV) – Brewed with a careful selection of caramel and roasted malts, the end result is a moderate, smooth roasted maltiness that is warming and gentle, but still firm. Bear Hug is an Imperial Stout that showcases hop aroma without being overly bitter.
· Arabicadabra Coffee Milk Stout (5.5% ABV) – A little brewers’ magic transforms locally roasted Arabica beans and a variety of specialty malts into a creamy, intense coffee stout. Arabicadabra is brewed with a cold coffee extract made at the brewery using a combination of fair trade, organic Nicaraguan coffee beans and Sumatra coffee beans. Lactose is also used for creaminess.
· Cherry Stout (7% ABV) – Tinted ruby-black, Cherry Stout gains its signature tartness from 100% Montmorency cherries grown in Michigan's Traverse City region. Rather than doubling up on sweetness, this tart cherry varietal serves as a counterpoint to the warm, dark chocolate notes from the malt bill. Lightly hopped for balance, this beer is one of the cornerstones of Bell’s stout portfolio.
· Expedition Stout (10.5% ABV) – One of the earliest examples of Russian Imperial Stouts in the United States, Expedition Stout offers immensely complex flavors crafted specifically with aging in mind. A huge malt body is matched with a heady blend of chocolate, dark fruit and other aromas.
· 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve (9% ABV) – This version was brewed in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Bell’s Cherry Stout, another specialty beer that was first brewed in 1988 as a nod to a local homebrew club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It has grown to be one of the most anticipated beers we brew at the brewery every year. This version is brewed with whole cherries and oak chips. Coming in at 9.0% ABV, this commemorative batch is a celebration of what Cherry Stout means to the brewery.
· Whiskey Barrel Aged Cherry Stout (9.3% ABV) – Aged for up to 12 months in whiskey barrels, our signature Cherry Stout evolves into something even more flavorful and complex. Notes of oak, vanilla and dark chocolate are intertwined with tart Michigan cherries in a stout that seduces the palate.
· Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout (13.4%) – This beer is a 12 month barrel-aged version of our award-winning Expedition Stout.
· Special Double Cream Stout (6.1%) - Named for its velvety smooth, creamy texture, this incredibly rich stout is brewed with 10 different specialty roasted malts chosen for their notes of rich mocha and espresso. Dark and sweet tones intermingle with a soft, roasty finish.
As part of this celebration, a special Bell’s Dark Night, Darker Beers 2018 Untappd badge will also be available to anyone who checks into a Bell’s stout during the week of Dec. 15. It will be available to unlock until midnight on Dec. 22.
WHO: Bell’s Brewery is Michigan’s oldest and largest independent craft brewery. For decades, stouts have held a special place in its portfolio from the year-round Kalamazoo Stout to Expedition Stout not to mention Black Note and so many more.
WHY: The Winter Solstice, also known as the longest night of the year, is a perfect time to celebrate a style that so many love and appreciate. Brewing a wide variety of stouts is one of the ways Bell’s celebrates its independence. This is a unique opportunity for Bell’s beer fans to sample and enjoy both rare and readily available stouts during a time of year that pairs so perfectly well together with dark and roasty beers.
WHEN: Dec. 16-22, with some events held on Friday, Dec. 21 at 5:23 p.m. to coincide with this year’s Winter Solstice (event start times may vary from location to location).
WHERE: Locations across Bell’s distribution footprint, visit bellsbeer.com for more information and updates as they become available.
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