Bell’s Brewery Adding Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew

Bell’s Brewery is moving into an increasingly important segment of the beer industry with a new non-alcoholic dark brew coming from its Comstock, Michigan brewing operation. The new beer is expected to deliver the darker, malt-forward character traditionally associated with dark beer while keeping alcohol at less than 0.5% ABV.

For beer drinkers looking for a non-alcoholic option that offers more flavor and color than the typical light lager-style NA beer, Bell’s new dark brew could be an especially interesting addition. The brewery has built its reputation around flavorful, distinctive beers, and this new release suggests Bell’s is exploring how that brewing philosophy can translate into the rapidly growing non-alcoholic beer category.

The new Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew is expected to be packaged in a 12-ounce can and will contain less than 0.5% ABV, 75 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce serving. Bell’s has not yet announced the official release date, distribution plans or additional brewing details.

Bell’s Brewery Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew

Today I have an exciting new addition to the non-alcoholic beer world, and it is coming from Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan. This is Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew, and the early details point toward a dark, bold and steady malt beverage designed for drinkers who want a darker beer experience without the alcohol content of a traditional craft beer.

According to the information currently available, Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew will come in at less than 0.5% ABV. The beer will contain 75 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce serving, making the nutritional profile an important part of the new release.

The 12-ounce can shown for the beer gives us our first look at the packaging, but Bell’s has not yet revealed all of the details surrounding the recipe. That leaves plenty of room for speculation about the malt profile, roast character, sweetness, bitterness and overall flavor of this new Bell’s dark beer.

A New Direction for Bell’s Brewery

The arrival of a Bell’s non-alcoholic beer is notable because the brewery has historically been associated with full-flavored craft ales and lagers, including Two Hearted IPA, Oberon Ale, Hopslam and Expedition Stout. Bell’s has also developed lower-ABV offerings, showing that the brewery has already explored ways to provide drinkers with different levels of intensity. Bell’s itself currently says it does not make non-alcoholic beverages, although its Eccentric Café offers non-alcoholic beers and other non-alcoholic beverages.

That makes this potential Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew particularly interesting. A dark beer can provide substantial malt flavor, roasted notes and body without necessarily relying on a high alcohol percentage.

Bell’s has a long history of experimentation. The brewery began in Kalamazoo in 1985 with founder Larry Bell and a 15-gallon soup kettle before growing into a major American craft brewery. Its Comstock brewery became the company’s primary brewing facility after construction was completed in the early 2000s.

The brewery’s history with darker beers is extensive. Bell’s first brewed Kalamazoo Stout in 1988, followed by Expedition Stout in 1989. Bell’s describes Expedition as the longest-brewed Imperial Stout in the United States.

That background makes the development of a Bell’s non-alcoholic dark beer especially intriguing. While this new beer should not be confused with Bell’s traditional stouts, the brewery’s experience with dark, malt-driven beer could provide an interesting foundation.

For now, the Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew remains one to watch. The beer is expected to arrive in a 12-ounce can with less than 0.5% ABV, 75 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Release timing, availability and additional recipe information have yet to be announced.

Stay tuned to MyBeerBuzz for release information, additional packaging details, and tasting notes as they become available.

Related Bell’s Brewery news from mybeerbuzz.com:
Bell’s Brewery fans can also explore more Bell’s coverage on MyBeerBuzz, including our recent look at Bell’s Brewery Adding SMaSH Hearted IPA, Bell’s Brewery Introducing Citrus Hopslam, Bell’s Brewery Working On Flyover Light Lager, and Bell’s Brewery Adding 40th Anniversary Expedition Stout. Together, these stories show the range of new beers, returning favorites, specialty releases and brewing experimentation coming from Bell’s Brewery.

Label Text

“A nod to the gentle giants that roam the Michigan Northwoods, this Dark Brew is bold, dark, and authentically Michigan. Looks tough. Drinks easy.”

Average Analysis Per 12 FL. Oz. Can

Fat: 0g

Calories: 75

Carbohydrates: 17g

Protein: 1g

LESS THAN 0.5% ABV

About Bell’s Brewery:

Bell’s Brewery is one of Michigan’s most influential craft breweries and one of the pioneering names in American craft beer. Founded by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Bell’s began with humble roots in homebrewing and a 15-gallon soup kettle before developing into a nationally recognized brewery. Bell’s brewed its first commercial beer in 1985, establishing the foundation for a brewery that would help shape the modern Michigan craft beer movement.

Today, Bell’s primary brewing operation is located in Comstock, Michigan, just east of Kalamazoo. The Comstock brewery became the centerpiece of Bell’s production as the brewery expanded, while the original Kalamazoo location continued its role as an important part of the company’s history and brewing culture. Bell’s currently produces more than 20 beers for distribution, along with small-batch beers associated with its Eccentric Café.

Bell’s is best known for some of the most recognizable beers in American craft brewing. Two Hearted Ale, Oberon Ale, Hopslam Ale and Expedition Stout have each played an important role in the brewery’s history and helped establish Bell’s reputation for distinctive, flavorful beers.

Two Hearted became a year-round offering in 2003 and eventually surpassed Oberon as Bell’s best-selling beer. Oberon, meanwhile, became one of the brewery’s signature seasonal releases and an annual celebration of warmer weather. Expedition Stout represents Bell’s long-running tradition of brewing powerful, complex dark beers and was first brewed in 1989.

Bell’s brewing philosophy has also continued to evolve. The company describes its approach as Inspired Brewing, emphasizing creativity, responsible resource use, community involvement and brewing innovation. Bell’s has invested heavily in its brewing facilities, quality systems and production capabilities while continuing to develop new beers and specialty releases.

That combination of tradition and experimentation makes Bell’s an interesting brewery to watch as the American beer market continues to change. Recent releases and projects have included new IPA variations, lighter lagers, specialty stouts and innovative seasonal beers.

Bell’s has also continued expanding its national presence. The brewery says its beers are now distributed across the United States, while its Comstock operation remains the production center for its broad portfolio.

The potential arrival of Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew represents another intriguing step. Non-alcoholic beer has become an increasingly important part of the beverage landscape, and Bell’s entry into a dark, malt-forward NA beer could give drinkers another option beyond the many non-alcoholic pale ales and lagers already available.

With its decades of experience brewing stouts, porters, ales and lagers, Bell’s has plenty of brewing history to draw upon. The new Bell’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew could therefore become an especially interesting release for fans looking for a flavorful dark beer experience with less than 0.5% ABV.

For Bell’s fans and non-alcoholic beer drinkers alike, this is a release worth watching as additional information becomes available.

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