Bell’s Brewery publishes 2020 release calendar

Bell’s Brewery publishes 2020 release calendar

Comstock Township-based Bell’s Brewery is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Photo via fb.com

A regional brewery has special releases lined up for 2020.

Bell’s Brewery recently published its 2020 release calendar highlighting the return of old favorites, as well as new year-round and seasonal offerings.

“This is going to be another exciting year for us. In addition to our release calendar, I am also very proud to celebrate our 35th anniversary,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery. “Funvitational (2020) will be a huge part of that milestone, and we’ll have other ways to celebrate throughout the year.”

The beginning of January saw the packaging and release of Hopslam Double IPA in six-packs of 12-ounce cans, on draft and in 5-liter mini-kegs.

The Hopslam mini-keg design is a new feature this year. Cans and mini-kegs are limited and already have arrived on many store shelves in Bells’ retail footprint.

Also on its way to store shelves is Light Hearted Ale, a low-calorie member of the Two Hearted Ale family at 3.7% ABV and only 110 calories.

Light Hearted is now shipping — and in many locations, arriving — in six-packs of 12-ounce cans and on draft. Twelve-packs of 12-ounce cans will ship throughout Michigan in February.

Seasonal beers, Best Brown and Bright White, both will return in 2020. Bright White is available now through March or while supplies last. Oberon, Bell’s summer flagship American Wheat, will return on March 23 with midnight release parties, special tappings and more. In May, Oberon mini-kegs will begin shipping, featuring a brand new design, as well.

Incessant, a Double New England-Style IPA, will be released in four-packs of 16-ounce cans and on draft for a wider release in May. Incessant was previously a Bell’s General Store exclusive.

The General Store Exclusive Series also will continue in 2020 with a variety of new beers and possibly some old favorites returning from Larry Bell’s recipe library. That includes yet another member of the Hearted family, Black Hearted, which will debut in “celebration” of Valentine’s Day.

“Now, this isn’t all we have lined up for 2020. We always like to keep a few things close to the vest. We’ll have plenty more to share in due time,” Bell said.

Bell’s fans also should mark Sept. 12 on their calendars for Bell’s second Funvitational Beer Festival. The event features a variety of breweries from across the globe at Homer Stryker Field in downtown Kalamazoo.

The original Funvitational was held in 2015 in celebration of Bell’s 30th anniversary.

The complete 2020 release calendar is available at bellsbeer.com.