Bell's beer brands return to Chicago
August 01, 2008
After a two year absence from Chicagoland, the brands of Bell's Brewery — including favorites such as Oberon Ale, Bell's Amber Ale, Kalamazoo Stout and Bell's Porter — are back.
The recent announcement of distribution agreements with Central Beverage Company, Schamberger Brothers, and Skokie Valley Beverage Company means that Chicagoans can enjoy these renowned craft beers once again, starting on August 1st.
"For many craft beer enthusiasts in this city, these brands were their first introduction to full-flavor, thoughtful brewing,” remarked Donna Spagnola, president and owner of Central Beverage Company. “We're extremely excited to be a part of bringing them back to Illinois."
“I love Chicago and there's no big city I spend more time in,” added Larry Bell, owner and founder of Bell’s Brewery. “I'm thrilled that our beer will be available again in this market and I'm very pleased to be working with such first-rate distributors. It's a true partnership — they know their markets and they know our beers."
The company hopes to widen its distribution throughout Illinois in the near future.
While they may not have been a presence in Chicago over the past two years, the Bell's Brewery brands have been earning accolades around the country. Most recently, at the 2008 Brewers Association World Beer Cup in San Diego, where 2,864 beers from 644 breweries and 58 countries were judged by an esteemed panel, Bell's Porter captured a gold medal in the Brown Porter category. At the 2008 Brewers Cup in Indiana, Bell's Double Brown, Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock and Bell's Porter all won gold in their respective categories.
"We've always believed that if we stay focused on brewing good beer, good things will happen," noted Bell. "The return of these brands to Chicago — where I was born and raised — proves that."
Bell’s Brewery distributes beer in fifteen states. The company produces a variety of unfiltered, bottle-conditioned beers, ales, porters and stouts. In 2007, sales volume exceeded 90,000 barrels, anincrease of more than 22% from the previous year. Similar growth is expected this year.
