Hop rhizomes have arrived at the Bell’s General Store on March 30. They cost $4.50 each.
Available varieties: Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Nugget, Willamette, Challenger and Canadian Red.
Call 269-382-5712 for more information.
Our rhizome supplier has been experimenting with some different growing techniques and as a result, has produced some very large stock for this year (see photo for an example).
We are expecting delivery on March 30 at the General Store in downtown Kalamazoo.
More information to come as we receive it.
To celebrate lager season, take 10% off all ingredient kits online and at the Bell’s General Store in downtown Kalamazoo:
This past Saturday, the entries (126) for this year’s homebrew competition were judged.
Everyone was impressed with the caliber of this year’s entries, noting lots of hops and experimentation, not to mention quite a few beers made with wild yeast and bacteria.
The winner will be announced this Sunday at 3 p.m. during All Stouts Day at the Eccentric Cafe.
This past Saturday, we gave away 1,030 gallons of wort to 206 homebrewers for our 3rd annual competition. Deadline for entries is Oct. 26.
The winner will be announced on All Stouts Day - Nov. 4 at the Eccentric Cafe.
Check out photos from the Homebrew Expo as well as the wort giveaway here.
Good luck to all and cheers!
Did you know that we offer a homebrewing help line?
You can reach us via the Contact page on the Bell’s website.
Cheers!
Here are some commonly asked questions (and answers) about this year’s Homebrew Competition. For more on the competition itself, go here.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: There is no charge. The 5 gallons of wort are free.
Q: How much wort will be available?
We won’t know exactly how much we will end up with until the wort is made, but last year we were able to give 5 gallons of wort to 205 homebrewers. We hope to be in that ballpark again this year, but things happen during wort transfers that can affect that number. We recommend arriving early to sign up and make sure you get your wort.
Q: I can’t be there until later in the day. Is there any way I can bring my vessel to you early and pick up the wort when I’m able?
Sorry, but we only have so much wort to give away so we are forced to give it to those in attendance on Sept. 8 (sign-up begins at 11 a.m.).
Q: Can I add extract/sugars/steeping grains/water/etc. to the wort?
You can add whatever you like. However, if your homebrew is chosen as the winner, we will have to be able to figure out a way to make your beer on a much larger scale. So please, take good, detailed notes of everything you do to the wort.
Q: I can’t make it to the Expo. Can I send my friend/wife/whoever to pick the wort up for me?
Yes. We aren’t concerned with who takes the wort, so much as we are with who turns bottles in to be judged in October. We do ask that you don’t bring friends or relatives who don’t brew, just so you can have an extra 5+ gallons of wort. We are relying on the goodwill of homebrewers to help each other out and share the wealth. Please help us make sure all who want to compete are able.
Q: What do I need to bring in order to get the wort?
A: Please bring a sanitized vessel capable of holding 5 gallons. A bucket, a carboy (please be extra careful handling glass carboys) or a cornelius keg are the most common. You can leave your vessel in your vehicle until it’s time to pick up your wort (we will start distributing the wort around 1 p.m.). Please sanitize your vessel prior to your pick-up time to help us make sure everyone gets their wort.
Homebrew gadget spotlight: StirStarter
Save time and make better beer.
StirStarter from southwest Michigan homebrewer Dan Jeska will help you “culture higher cell counts of healthy yeast for quicker fermentations, lower risk of infections and better tasting beer. “
The StirStarter includes a stir bar, keeper magnet and instructions. For more information, visit www.stirstarters.com/
This item is available at the Bell’s General Store in Kalamazoo and online.
This new addition to the Bell’s General Store is a stainless steel 2-stage strainer that offers a course filter and a fine filter.
The course filter basket easily removes for easy cleaning and the entire unit is adjustable to fit over nearly any sized bucket.
Cost is $34.
This item is currently only available at the General Store in downtown Kalamazoo.
Call 269-382-5712 for more information.
