Here is a look at Bell’s beer events this week in Virginia, Illinois and Washington DC.

Virginia

Nov. 9

Ring the Bell’s
Head over to the Beer Run in Charlottesville for Q-Falls, The Oracle Double IPA, Hell Hath No Fury....Ale, Two Hearted Ale (which will run as the IPA feature all weekend long),  Amber Ale, Best Brown Ale and the only keg of Deb's Red to make it to the commonwealth starting at 6 p.m. Call 434-984-2337 for more information.

Illinois

Nov. 9

Tap Takeover at The Beer Bistro
Join us for a tap takeover in Chicago featuring year round favorites as well as some special beers The Beer Bistro has been holding onto just for this occasion. No cover. Call 312-433-0013 for more information.

Nov. 12-13

Great American Cooking Expo
Enjoy two days of sampling some of the best food, wine and of course, (Bell’s) beer at Arlington Park Racecourse. For more information, go here.

Washington DC

Nov. 10

Tap takeover at Iron Horse Tap Room
Sample several unique Bell's beers on draft as well as seasonal favorites:  Amber Ale, Christmas Ale, Hopsoulution, Porter, Sparkling Ale, Special Double Cream Stout and Winter White Ale. Call 202-347-7665 for more information.

Looking ahead to next week

Black Note in Kentucky, a beer dinner in Michigan, a Michigan tap takeover in Illinois and more. To view all upcoming events, go here.

KALAMAZOO – The wait is over.

The winners of Bell’s 2^nd Annual Homebrew Competition were announced during All Stouts Day at Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo this past Sunday.

Out of 129 entries, first place went to Geoff Groff for his IPA brewed with a touch of smoked malt and spiced with paradise seeds, with rose hips added. A Habanero pepper was also used for “A Bit of Heat.”

Groff will get to brew his beer with brewer Andy Farrell at Bell’s downtown Kalamazoo brewery to go on tap at the Eccentric Café.

Second place went to Jeff Frein for his saison brewed with orange blossom honey and coriander.

Third place went to Pat Tkacz for his “marriage between a stout and an IPA with a chocolate and hop taste.”

Honorable mentions also went to Andrew Hudson (carrot cake ale spiced with vanilla, cinnamon, all-spice, nutmeg, brown sugar  and Bourbon soaked raisins), Clayton MacDonald (ginger strawberry hopped ale), Steven D. Cooper (raspberry zerbert - light blonde ale), Adam Majka and Chris Elston (dry-hopped “BIG” beer brewed with Michigan honey and homegrown hops), Nelson Tansey (dry-hopped ale brewed with some brown sugar) and Ron Brady (IPA brewed with three different hops).

Congratulations to all the winners and a special thank you to all who competed.

CAPTION: Bell's marketing director Laura Bell announces the winner of the 2nd Annual Bell's Homebrew Competition. Geoff Groff will get to brew his beer at Bell's downtown Kalamazoo brewery to go on tap at the Eccentric Cafe.

KALAMAZOO - On Sunday (Nov. 6), the taps at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe will be turned over to the stouts.

Bell’s third annual All Stouts Day will begin at noon with 14 different stouts on tap including Black Note Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, The Dagger Extra Stout Ale and Sweet Potato Stout (the full list is below).

Those who stop by on Sunday can also order from a special menu that will feature many items made with help from a brand new smoker. Smoked meats and tofu, stout and cheddar soup, jambalaya and many others will be on the menu (the full list is also below).

Later in the afternoon, the winner of our 2^nd Annual Homebrew Competition will be announced. The homebrewer who takes first place will get to brew their recipe on our brew system in downtown Kalamazoo to go on tap at the Café.

Stop by on Saturday for Learn to Homebrew Day and you’ve got yourself a weekend (not to mention who’s performing in the back room).

Here is the full list of beers and special menu items that will be available Sunday.

The stouts

• The Dagger Extra Stout Ale

• Kalamazoo Stout

• Special Double Cream Stout

• Java Stout

• Cherry Stout

• Expedition Stout

• Oatmeal Stout

• Rye Stout   

• Black Note Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout

• Milk Stout  

• Smoked Stout    

• Harry Magill’s Spiced Stout  

• Sweet Potato Stout

• Trumpeter’s Stout

The food

• Shrimp cocktail

• Smoked whitefish spread

• Beef stew

• Chicken and sausage jambalaya

• Stout and cheddar soup

• Pulled pork sandwich with Cherry Stout reduction BBQ sauce and cole slaw

• Smoked chicken sandwich with bacon and leek relish

• Beef brisket with grilled sweet onions

• Smoked tofu with Cherry Stout reduction BBQ sauce and cole slaw

• Balsamic tempeh wrap with cucumber sauce

• Spicy catfish sandwich

• ½ smoked chicken with corn bread and baked beans

• ½ slab baby-back ribs with corn bread and baked beans