Early Spring Weather Stops Bell’s Cherry Stout 2012 Production

COMSTOCK – Since it was first released in 1988, Bell’s Cherry Stout has always been brewed with 100-percent Montmorency cherry juice made from cherries grown in northern Michigan’s Traverse City region.

We are extremely proud of this deep connection to our home state.

This seasonal beer is released annually in October along with other stouts in our portfolio – Java Stout, Expedition Stout, Special Double Cream Stout and others. Unfortunately, that tradition will have to be put on hold this year.

Warm temperatures followed by multiple frosts earlier this year severely affected Michigan’s tart cherry crop to such an extent that unfortunately, there will be no new batches of Cherry Stout in 2012.

A small number of Cherry Stout kegs from 2011 will be released on a limited basis however.

While we do hope that a bountiful harvest will allow us to bring this beer back to our fall stout line-up next year, more importantly, we are hopeful that it will allow Michigan’s fruit growers to recover as well.
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