COMSTOCK – Bell’s Octoberfest Beer will only be available on draft for 2012.

Kegs are scheduled to start shipping this week (August 13).

The absence of bottles this year relates to two inflexible, yet very important factors – the fermentation process required to produce this lager style seasonal, but also the construction and transition into our new 200-barrel brewhouse in Comstock, Michigan.

Octoberfest spends a full six weeks maturing in our fermentation vessels compared to just a few weeks for many of our other brands.

This combined with a year-long construction process and a longer than anticipated transition into our new brewhouse, meant that we were unable to devote the necessary fermentation space required to meet the demand for this beer in both six-packs and on draft.

Kegs were chosen so that we could share as much of this beer with as many of our fans as possible.

We apologize and regret any inconvenience this decision may cause our fans.

Here is a look at Bell’s beer events this week in Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota and Washington DC.

Michigan

August 14

Fish Boil: 2012 Ensign National Championship Regatta
Lake Superior Theatre in Marquette will host this dinner and feature Bell’s beer as well. Call 906-227-7625 for more information.

August 15

Mixer on the Mall After Party
Only two more chances to sample buckets of Bell’s beers at The Wine Loft in Kalamazoo. See you at 7 p.m.

Indiana

August 15

Bell's Hopped Up Night
800 Degrees Three Fires will host a special tapping of Hopsoulution, The Oracle and Two Hearted starting at 5 p.m.

August 16

Oracle Tapping
Max's Pizza in Bloomington will tap a keg of this seasonal DIPA at 6 p.m.

August 17

Oracle Tapping
Sample five awesome Bell's beers on draft in addition to Oracle (which will be tapped at 5 p.m.) at Gerst Haus in Evansville before the SWIRCA Suds Wine and Beer Festival on Saturday.

August 18

Suds, Wines, & Spirits Fest: The Ivy Room, Evansville
Admission includes beverage and food samples, a commemorative sampling glass and live entertainment. Call 812-492-7407 for more information.

Florida

August 16

ABC Liquor Tasting
Join us in Lake Mary from 6-8 p.m. for Amber, Oberon and Two Hearted.

August 18

Celebration of Brewing: Morton's Gourmet Market
This event in Sarasota will feature a variety of beers from around the country and the world including Bell's. We will be pouring Amber, Oberon and Two Hearted from 4-7 p.m.

Kentucky

August 16

Burgers and Brews
The Party Source in Bellevue will feature Amber Ale, Lager, Oarsman Ale, Oberon and Two Hearted Ale plus great burgers from 5-8 p.m.

Minnesota

August 18

Monticello Lions Brewfest
We will be pouring Amber, Two Hearted, Kalamazoo Stout, Oberon, Oarsman, and Porter from 3-7 p.m.

Washington DC

August 18

ChurckKey Multi-tap Event
Cap off DC Beer Week with La Batteur, Wedding Ale, Roundhouse, Two Hearted Ale, Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Kalamazoo Stout, Oarsmen Ale and Lager of the Lakes starting at noon.

Looking ahead

Join us for Trivia Night in Indianapolis, a Charity Beer Tasting in Commerce Township (Michigan), the Traverse City Music & Microbrew Festival and more. Take a look at our full calendar here.

A look at our beer events this week in Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Michigan

August 8

Buckets of Bell's: Mixer on the Mall After-Party
Only a few more chances to attend this weekly event at The Wine Loft in Kalamazoo. See you at 7 p.m.

Florida

August 9

Bell’s Tasting
Join us at ABC Liquor on N. Dale Mabry Blvd. in Tampa for samples of Amber, Oberon and Two Hearted from 6-8 p.m.

Wisconsin

August 10

Pre-Great Taste Tap Takeover
Maduro Cigar Bar in Madison will have 18 Bell’s beers on tap, plus a firkin starting at noon – a great way to celebrate this year’s Great Taste of the Midwest whether you are going to the festival or not.

August 11

Great Taste of the Midwest
We will be pouring 18 different beers plus two firkins. For more, check out our Great Taste blog post from last week.

Minnesota

August 11

Twin Cities Beer Festival
Join us in Bloomington for a variety of beers including Amber Ale, Kalamazoo Stout, Oberon, Two Hearted and more from 3-7 p.m.

Looking ahead

Join us for the Ore to Shore After Party in Marquette, a Michigan tap takeover in Mokena, an Oracle tapping in Bloomington and more. Take a look at our full calendar here.