KALAMAZOO – On Saturday (Sept. 8), we will celebrate our 27^th anniversary.  Below is what we have planned at the Eccentric Cafe. Please note, tours of our original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo will not be offered that day. We will return to our normal tour hours on Sunday, however.

3^rd Annual Bell’s Homebrew Expo and Competition Kick-off

Homebrewers can sign up for wort pick-up times beginning at 11 a.m. Wort will be distributed beginning at 1 p.m. Please arrive early to ensure your spot as supplies will be limited. Homebrewers should also plan on bringing a sanitized vessel as well. For more information on the competition itself, including rules, take a look at our original blog post.

We also put together a Q&A post on our Homebrewing Blog.

Vendors for this year’s Expo include White Labs, Blichmann Engineering, Brew Hauler, Coldbreak Brewing, Third Coast Products, Stir Starters, American Homebrewers Association, Kalamazoo Libation Organization of Brewers (KLOB) and Fetzer Farms.

6^th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

How many can you eat in 10 minutes? Competition starts at 4 p.m. It's free to enter and includes a t-shirt. Call 269-250-8485 or email jason@bellsbeer.com to add your name to the list.

Beer specials, entertainment

Anyone wearing Bell’s apparel will receive $1 off their pint until 9 p.m.

The Go Rounds will close out this year's Beer Garden season at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $8.

Questions? Send us an email.

Below is a look at Bell’s beer events this week in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Washington DC.

Michigan

Sept. 5

Tap Explosion
Upfront & Company in Marquette will feature Amber Ale, Two Hearted, Octoberfest and Wedding Ale starting at 5 p.m. Black Note will also be tapped at 7 p.m.

Tap Takeover
Foran's Grand Trunk Pub in Detroit will feature six different beers starting at 5 p.m. There will also be a special tapping of The Oracle as well.

Sept. 7

Bell's Tap Event
Whole Foods Cranbrook in Ann Arbor will tap Hopsoulution, Octoberfest and other Bell’s favorites at 5 p.m. Special cheese pairings will also be available.

Sept. 8

Bell's anniversary
Join us as we celebrate our 27^th anniversary this weekend at the Eccentric Café. For more details, go here.

5th Annual Art on Tap (beer tasting)
Join us at Flint Institute of Art for multiple Michigan beers, delicious food and live entertainment. We will be pouring Two Hearted, Porter, Amber, oarsman and Pale Ale. Go here for more information.

Pennsylvania

Sept. 5

Bell's Beer Dinner
Bigelow Grille in Pittsburgh will present a four course dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 412-281-5013 for more information.

Sept. 7

Oracle Tapping
Our west coast style DIPA will be tapped at Blue Dust in Homestead at 7 p.m. Octoberfest and Oberon will also make an appearance.

Sept. 8

Steel City Big Pour
Stop by the Bell’s tent at Construction Junction in Pittsburgh for Oberon, Two Hearted, Wedding Ale and the very rare Black Note from 12-3 p.m. and again from 5-8 p.m. (Please note, this event is sold out.)

Illinois

Sept. 5

Farm Dinner
Join us at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe for a special dinner. Call 847-835-5440 for more information.

Sept. 8

Screw City Brewfest
We’ll be pouring Two Hearted, Amber, Oberon, Octoberfest and Porter in downtown Rockford from 1-6 p.m.

Chuck's Fest
Sample Amber, Oberon, Two Hearted, Kalamazoo Stout and Octoberfest at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Indiana

Sept. 6

Oracle Tapping
The Beer Sellar in Indianapolis will tap The Oracle at 5 p.m. Two Hearted, Amber, Oberon and other Bell’s favorites will be available as well.

Sept. 7

Get Your “O” Face On Party
The Pub in Granger will celebrate with Oberon, Oracle and Octoberfest at 5 p.m.

Sept. 8

Zoo Brew
The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend will host this fourth annual event from 7-10 p.m. Proceeds will benefit wildlife conservation, new naturalistic exhibits and education programs. Ticket includes a commemorative sampling mug and unlimited beer sampling.

Minnesota

Sept. 9

Rock For Democracy
Bell’s is the official beer sponsor for this event in Minneapolis. We will be pouring Two Hearted, Oberon, Oarsman, Lager of The Lakes and Amber Ale at Bryant Lake Bowl. *Note: The date for this event was previoously Sept. 8.

Wisconsin

Sept. 8

Tap Takeover
8th Street Ale House in Sheboygan will hand over control of their taps to us starting at 6 p.m. Call 920-208-7540 for more information.

Washington DC

Sept. 9

Kick-off Celebration
Stop by the Capitol Lounge for the start of the Detroit Lions' season! We will be tapping the delicious Hopsoulution double IPA and giving away great Bell's swag. The party starts at 11:30 a.m.

Looking ahead

We have multiple Oracle tappings coming up in Minnesota, beer dinners and more. Check out our full calendar here.

Below is a look at our events this week in Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan and Kentucky.

Indiana

August 27

Oracle Tapping #1
Club Soda in Fort Wayne will be pouring Oberon and Two Hearted in addition to The Oracle.

August 29

Oracle Tapping #2
Dicky’s Wild Hare in Fort Wayne will tap their keg at 6 p.m.

August 30

Oracle Tapping #3
Chatham Tap in Indianapolis will tap The Oracle along with Octoberfest, Oberon and Two Hearted Ale starting at 7 p.m.

August 31

Oracle Tapping #4
Bleacher’s Sports Bar & Grill in Mishawaka will feature Bell’s Porter and Two Hearted along with The Oracle at 6 p.m.

September 1

Lake of Four Seasons Brewfest
Stop by our table at this year’s charity event near Buddy & Pal’s in Winfield that will feature Oberon, Amber, Porter and Two Hearted.

North Carolina

August 29

Bell's at Duckworth's
We’ll be in Charlotte with rare beers like Black Note, The Oracle, Le Batteur, Wedding Ale and Roundhouse IRA along with Amber, Pale Ale and Lager starting at 6:30 p.m. Come on out and say hello.

August 31

Bell's Tasting
Enjoy the last few days of summer with us and the great folks at Sam's Quik Shop in Durham for a tasting of Amber Ale, Black Note, Le Batteur Ale, Oberon, The Oracle DIPA and Roundhouse IRA starting at 6:30 p.m.

Michigan

August 29

Roundhouse Tapping
Conor O'Neil's in Ann Arbor will welcome students back to campus with this special IRA along with some other Bell’s favorites starting at 6:30 p.m.

Bucket of Bell’s
One more chance to celebrate summer with us at The Wine Loft in Kalamazoo (apologies for last week’s typo). See you at 7 p.m.

August 30

Football, Baseball, and Bell's - Oh, MY!
Doc's Sports Retreat in Livonia will pair some Detroit football and baseball with Bell’s beer. Get there early for a chance to win prizes.

Kentucky

August 31

Lexington Fest of Ales
We'll be pouring Amber, Oberon, Two Hearted and Wedding Ale from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in downtown Lexington. Go here for more information.

Looking ahead

Join us at Upfront & Company in Marquette, the Rock for Democracy in Minneapolis, Bigelow Grill in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. Take a look at our full calendar here.