Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout Coming As a Kalamazoo Exclusive

Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout

Bell’s Brewery is bringing something interesting to its original Kalamazoo location, and this one looks like a pretty tempting addition to the brewery’s lineup of specialty beers. Meet Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout, a new Kalamazoo Exclusive that combines a traditional stout foundation with salt and Belgian candi syrup, delivering an 8% ABV specialty release that will only be available at the original Bell’s brewery.

That’s a little different.

The new Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout is part of the brewery’s Kalamazoo Exclusive Series, a collection designed to give visitors a look at some of the more creative and adventurous brewing projects coming out of the original Kalamazoo operation. The label makes that pretty clear, describing the series as a window into the craft and explaining that each beer builds on the creativity and adventurous spirit of Bell’s roots.

For this release, Bell’s is taking a stout and adding two ingredients that should give the finished beer some interesting possibilities. The new Salted Caramel Stout is brewed with salt and Belgian candi syrup, and while we do not have a complete recipe or official tasting notes yet, those ingredients give us a pretty good starting point for understanding what the brewery is attempting.

The Belgian candi syrup is particularly interesting. Belgian brewing traditions have used specialty sugar syrups in everything from dubbels and strong dark ales to quadrupels, where they can contribute additional fermentable sugar and distinctive flavors. Depending on the syrup and how it is used, those flavors can range from caramel and toffee to darker burnt sugar and raisin-like characteristics. In a stout, that could provide an interesting layer alongside roasted malt, chocolate and coffee impressions.

Then there is the salt.

Salted caramel has become a familiar flavor combination across desserts, confectionery and specialty beverages, and it makes plenty of sense as an inspiration for a specialty stout. The salt can help balance sweetness and potentially emphasize some of the malt character, while the caramel-inspired elements could complement the darker roasted flavors traditionally associated with stout.

A little sweetness. Some salt. Plenty of malt.

At 8% ABV, Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout is not being presented as a lightweight session stout. This is a stronger specialty beer, with enough alcohol to support a substantial malt recipe and the additional ingredients being used here. The 12-ounce bottle format also makes sense for a limited Kalamazoo Exclusive brewery release, especially one that appears to be aimed at visitors interested in trying something they will not find in ordinary retail distribution.

The biggest detail is availability. Bell’s identifies this as a Kalamazoo Exclusive, and the label specifically explains that the beers in this series are only available at the original Kalamazoo brewery. That makes this release a little different from the brewery’s nationally distributed favorites such as Two Hearted IPA, Oberon Ale and Hopslam.

The original Bell’s location has an important place in the company’s history. Although the larger production brewery is now located in nearby Comstock, Michigan, Bell’s continues to maintain its Kalamazoo presence, including the Eccentric Café and small-batch brewing projects. The Kalamazoo Exclusive Series gives the brewery an opportunity to produce beers that are more experimental and limited than the products generally sent through its national distribution network.

I like this concept. There is something appealing about a brewery maintaining a place where visitors can discover beers that are not necessarily intended for the wider market. It gives people another reason to visit the original location, and it allows Bell’s brewers to explore recipes that might not fit into a regular production schedule.

The new label is attractive, too. Bell’s has gone with a cream-colored background, gold and caramel-colored stripes, and a large central SALTED CARAMEL STOUT graphic. The artwork is relatively restrained compared with some of the brewery’s more colorful specialty packages, but it fits the idea of a richer, malt-forward beer.

The label also confirms the beer’s 8.0% ABV, 12-fluid-ounce bottle format and its place in the Kalamazoo Exclusive Series. Bell’s has not yet provided a confirmed release date, pricing or additional availability information, so those details remain something to watch.

For now, Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout gives us a new 8% ABV stout brewed with salt and Belgian candi syrup, packaged in 12-ounce bottles and reserved for the brewery’s original Kalamazoo location.

This is exactly the kind of specialty release that makes a brewery visit more interesting. I am looking forward to seeing how Bell’s brings the salted caramel idea together with its stout brewing experience, and whether this new Kalamazoo Exclusive becomes another memorable small-batch offering.

Stay tuned for release details.

Label Text Bell’s Salted Caramel Stout:

BELL’S®

KALAMAZOO EXCLUSIVE

BELL’s SALTED CARAMEL STOUT

A window into our craft, each beer in the Kalamazoo Exclusive Series builds on the creativity and adventurous spirit of our roots. Celebrate our heritage with a one of a kind beer, only available at our original Kalamazoo brewery. This is Inspired Brewing.

STOUT BREWED WITH SALT AND BELGIAN CANDY SYRUP

Alc. 8.0% by vol.

Best By:

12 FL.OZ (355 mL)

BREWED AND BOTTLED BY BELL’S BREWERY, COMSTOCK, MI.

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

BELLSBEER.COM

More Bell’s Brewery News on MyBeerBuzz

Bell’s Brewery continues to expand its lineup with specialty releases, experimental beers and creative variations on some of its most recognizable brands, and there is plenty of related coverage to explore while we wait for Salted Caramel Stout to arrive. Check out our recent coverage of Bell’s Brewery Adding Non-Alcoholic Dark Brew, Bell’s Brewery Introducing Citrus Hopslam, Bell’s Co-Hearted IPA Collaboration with Allagash Brewing, Bell’s SMaSH Hearted IPA, and Bell’s Oberon Ale 2026 Mini-Keg Packaging. These stories offer a look at Bell’s continuing interest in specialty beer development, new ingredients, traditional brewing styles and limited releases.

About Bell’s Brewery

Bell’s Brewery has one of the more interesting histories in American craft beer, beginning with a small homebrewing operation in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and eventually growing into one of the most recognizable craft brewing names in the United States. Founded by Larry Bell in 1985, the company started with a simple goal: make flavorful beer that offered something different from the mass-produced American lagers dominating the market at the time.

The story actually begins a couple of years earlier. Larry Bell arrived in Kalamazoo to attend Kalamazoo College and developed an interest in homebrewing during the early 1980s. He opened a homebrew supply shop in downtown Kalamazoo in 1983, giving local brewing enthusiasts access to ingredients and equipment while he continued experimenting with his own recipes.

Customers began asking to sample his beer, and that interest eventually turned into a commercial brewing operation. Bell began brewing beer in a 15-gallon soup kettle, an incredibly modest beginning for a company that would eventually produce millions of gallons of craft beer. The first commercial beer from Kalamazoo Brewing Company was sold on September 19, 1985.

One of the first important beers was Great Lakes Amber Ale, now simply known as Amber Ale. It developed a following among local drinkers and helped establish the brewery’s reputation. Porter followed in 1987, while 1988 brought several important additions, including Kalamazoo Stout, Best Brown Ale, Cherry Stout and Special Double Cream Stout.

That early attention to traditional beer styles helped define Bell’s. Rather than trying to imitate the lighter domestic lagers that dominated American beer sales, the brewery concentrated on ales with more character, fuller malt profiles and distinctive ingredients. Stouts, porters, wheat beers and specialty ales became important parts of its identity.

As production increased, the original brewing equipment quickly became inadequate. Bell’s expanded its brewing capacity and began distributing beyond Kalamazoo, first throughout Michigan and eventually into neighboring states. The brewery continued operating from its original Kalamazoo location while investing in additional equipment and production space.

The development of Oberon Ale was another major milestone. First brewed in 1992 as SolSun, the beer eventually became one of the most recognizable American wheat ales in the country. Oberon developed a particularly strong following throughout Michigan, where its annual spring arrival became a seasonal tradition for craft beer drinkers.

Then came Two Hearted Ale. First brewed in its modern form in 1997, Two Hearted eventually became Bell’s flagship IPA and one of the most respected American craft beers. Its Centennial hop character, balanced malt foundation and dependable brewing quality helped establish it as a national favorite. It became a year-round release in 2003 and eventually surpassed Oberon as Bell’s best-selling beer.

Hopslam Ale added another important chapter in 2004. The Double IPA became known for its powerful hop character and honey addition, attracting considerable attention each year when the seasonal release returned. Over time, Hopslam became one of the brewery’s most recognizable specialty beers.

Bell’s also developed a strong reputation for darker specialty releases. Expedition Stout, first brewed in 1989, became one of the brewery’s longest-running and most recognizable imperial stouts. Black Note Stout, first brewed in 2007, further demonstrated the company’s interest in complex dark beers, while barrel-aged specialty releases gave Bell’s another way to explore rich malt character and extended maturation.

The company’s expansion eventually required a much larger production operation. In 2001, Bell’s purchased land in Comstock Township, approximately seven miles east of its original Kalamazoo brewery. Brewing began at the new facility in 2002, and the Comstock brewery officially opened in 2003. The operation has expanded considerably since then and now serves as the primary production center for Bell’s nationally distributed beers.

But Kalamazoo never disappeared from the story. The original brewery location remains an important part of the company’s identity, with the Eccentric Café, visitor experiences and small-batch brewing projects helping maintain the connection to the community where everything started.

That connection is particularly relevant to the new Salted Caramel Stout. The Kalamazoo Exclusive Series gives Bell’s a way to produce specialty beers that are available only at the original brewery, creating an opportunity for experimentation that goes beyond the company’s regular national portfolio.

Bell’s has also become known for its Inspired Brewing philosophy, which connects brewing creativity with community involvement, environmental responsibility and a commitment to producing quality beer. The company has invested in wastewater treatment, resource conservation and programs designed to reduce the environmental impact of its brewing operations.

In 2021, Bell’s joined forces with New Belgium Brewing after Lion acquired the Michigan brewery. The combination brought together two established American craft brewing companies with significant histories, recognizable beer brands and strong regional identities. Bell’s continues to maintain its Michigan brewing operations and its connection to Kalamazoo and Comstock.

Today, Bell’s produces a broad collection of beers that includes Two Hearted IPA, Oberon Ale, Hopslam, Amber Ale, Porter, Expedition Stout, Light Hearted Ale and a growing collection of specialty and experimental releases. Its portfolio covers traditional American craft beer styles while continuing to explore newer brewing ideas, limited editions and seasonal variations.

For longtime Bell’s fans, the Salted Caramel Stout is another reminder that the brewery has never been limited to its flagship beers. The company continues to use its original Kalamazoo location as a place to experiment, develop specialty recipes and celebrate the brewing traditions that helped establish its reputation.

From a 15-gallon soup kettle to a nationally recognized craft brewery, Bell’s has come a long way without losing its connection to the place where it began. The Kalamazoo Exclusive Series is one way that history continues to show up in new beer releases.

For more information about Bell’s Brewery, its beers, Kalamazoo location, Eccentric Café and current releases, visit the official Bell’s Brewery website.

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