Annual Bell's Homebrew Competition Begins 9/13 & Winner Will Also Head to GABF

To celebrate how this annual competition has grown and as a nod to our homebrewing roots, we have added something new.

While the homebrewer who takes first place will still get to brew their recipe at our original brewery to then go on tap at the Café, they will also team up with us for the 2015 Pro-Am Competition at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.

The winner will attend the GABF, the awards ceremony and the members only session as our guest.

Bell’s will cover the cost of airfare to Denver and back (must be within the continental U.S.) and provide lodging for two nights as well.

As in previous years, there is no cost to enter the competition and the only requirement is that you use our wort, which we provide for free.

Previous winners are:

· Oscar’s Folly, a collaborative IPA from Jarrett Cupp, Bailey Cupp and Paul Gentz.

· A Bit of Heat from Geoff Groff that was brewed with paradise seeds, rose hips and habaneros.

· Manden Med Leen, a black IPA brewed with Belgian yeast, from Nick Rodammer.

· And most recently, Proud Mitten, a dry hopped IPA/Pale Ale made with Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops from David Lyman of Kalamazoo.

Multiple homebrew vendors will be present at the Expo to talk about their companies and products as well starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free.

This event is part of Bell’s week-long 29th Anniversary Celebration which also includes our annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in addition toperformances by Leftover Salmon, Cash’d Out (a Johnny Cash tribute band), Monophonics and more. A celebration and benefit for the Great Lakes is also planned for Sept. 14.

Competition entries (4 bottles) are due to the Bell’s General Store by Saturday, October 25.

Winners will be announced on All Stouts Day, Nov. 2, also at the Cafe. Complete entry details can be found at bellsbeer.com.