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Bell’s Brewery to Celebrate Historic Event With 5 Great Lakes Breweries

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COMSTOCK, Michigan— Bell’s Brewery announces the return of their 32nd annual Eccentric Day on December 1st, featuring all new elements to this fan-favorite “Bell’s Holiday.” Hosted at the brewery’s Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo, the all-day celebration will showcase five new collaboration beers featuring local and regional breweries, live music, a costume contest, and an abundance of food & drinks.

Originating as the coworker holiday party over three decades ago, Eccentric Day has evolved into what is now a highly anticipated event in Southwest Michigan each year. “At its core, Eccentric Day has always been about celebrating with each other, with our community, and enjoying all that makes the craft beer community truly extraordinary,” said Carrie Yunker, Executive Vice President of Bell’s. “As we discussed plans for this year’s event, collectively, we recognized an opportunity to bring Eccentric Day back to its’ roots while at the same time bringing a renewed sense of energy to the celebration and all that it’s meant to be.”

Featuring a long history of annual Eccentric Ale releases, specialty brews are a hallmark of the event. “Guest brewers have always been an integral part of Eccentric Day, but with five collaborating breweries this year, we’re doubling down and ensuring that the beer is the star of the show,” said Bell’s Brewmaster, Andy Farrell. In partnership with3 Floyds Brewing, Upper Hand Brewery, Brewery Vivant alongside Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits, One Well Brewing, and Wax Wings Brewing Co, Eccentric Day will mark the release of five beers on draft, with two available in package.

The five collaboration beers that will be available are:

  • 3 Floyds Brewing’s Ale – 7.0%, available on draft and in 6-pk 12oz bottles at Bell’s General Store
  • Brewery Vivant & Broad Leaf’s Pineapple Kiwi Saison – 5% ABV, available on draft
  • One Well Brewing’s Blueberry Thai Basil Porter – 6.66% ABV, available on draft
  • Wax Wings Brewing Co.’s New England Double IPA – 10% ABV, available on draft
  • Upper Hand Brewery’s Barrel Aged Sour – 12.7% ABV, available on draft and in 750ml bottles at Bell’s General Store

“Inviting these incredibly talented brewers in to collaborate on recipes, share a brew day together, and ultimately create something that our communities love is one of the greatest parts of Eccentric Day every year. Being able to do that with these partners from our regional brewing community this year is incredibly exciting for us all,” said Farrell.

In addition to partnering with the guest breweries on collaboration beers, Bell’s is furthering support within the community by donating $15,000 towards community-based nonprofit organizations. The donation will be a combination of supporting nonprofit organizations of the guest breweries’ choice, as well as a $5000 donation to Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo to provide winter apparel for children in need. “Eccentric Day has grown each year as a direct result of support from our local community. It’s always been important to us to give back to the community, so expanding that support to organizations of our collaborating breweries’ choosing only made sense,” said Carrie Yunker. “We’re looking forward to working together to select organizations doing impactful and important work in our communities.”

Eccentric Day attendees must be 21 or older and must have a valid ID to enter. Admission is free. Attendees are invited to come in costume, as Bell’s will be hosting a costume contest on site, offering prizes such as a behind the scenes tour of Bell’s Comstock facility, alongside a beer paired dinner by Bell’s Executive Chef Kristofer McDonough. The event will also feature live entertainment by returning act Andrew Rathbun Jazz Band, Run 4 Cover, and Kalamazoo DJ.

About Bell’s Brewery

Bell’s Brewery began in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with Larry Bell, a quest for better beer and a 15-gallon soup kettle. Since then, Bell’s has grown into one of the largest craft breweries in America, thanks to its iconic brands such as Two Hearted IPA, Oberon Ale and Hopslam Ale. Bell’s believes that business – and beer – can be powerful tools to renew our trust not only in each other, but the world around us. Bell’s ‘Inspired Brewing’ philosophy represents our collective responsibility to create meaningful change by resourcing responsibly as stewards of our environment, by re-igniting and celebrating our distinct senses of creativity, and by re-energizing the common belief we can come together to make good on the promise of a more prosperous future for all.

Bell’s distributes its best-in-class beer nationwide, in addition to Puerto Rico. It currently brews more than 20 beers for distribution out of its Comstock, Michigan brewery as well as many small-batch beers that are served at the Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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Eastern Market Brewing Co. Launches Its Newest Venture, Elephant & Co.

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DETROIT, Michigan— Eastern Market Brewing Co., one of Michigan’s fastest-growing breweries, is introducing a new concept at 456 Charlotte St, Detroit: “Elephant & Co.” This location will include dozens of self-serve taps featuring the brewery’s wide-ranging beer offerings alongside artisanal Detroit-style pizza.

The Charlotte Street location will be open throughout the day with coffee roasted on-site as part of a Dooped Donut cafe, the company’s vegan donut venture. Dooped Donuts opened its first location at 1555 Broadway, across from Comerica Park, and also distributes its small batch, handcrafted vegan donuts to local cafes.

“Six years ago today, we poured our very first beer at Eastern Market After Dark. We’ve come a long way, and this location will be a representation of everything we’ve learned. The name ‘Elephant & Co.’ is an ode to where it all started, with our elephant logo in Eastern Market, while ‘& Co.’ represents our many other brands. Charlotte Street will be a showcase for our beer, as well as our offerings beyond beer,” reflected Dayne Bartscht, Managing Partner of Eastern Market Brewing Co.

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is known as a trailblazer in the local craft beer market. They are the only brewery in Michigan self-distributing at scale, meaning they not only brew their beer but also deliver it directly to retailers throughout the state. Within its first few years, the brewery reached Michigan’s self-distribution cap, so in 2020, it spearheaded efforts to change the law, successfully increasing the limit. Then in 2021, Eastern Market Brewing Co., while brewing at capacity, acquired the former Roak Brewing Co. site in Royal Oak to act as its primary production facility. Last year, the Royal Oak location became Michigan’s first fully self-service taproom.

Elephant & Co. will maintain this entrepreneurial spirit, with a novel concept yet to be seen in Michigan: pizza delivery which includes beer, straight from the source. Eastern Market Brewing Co. first tested this concept during the pandemic at their sister location, Ferndale Project, and has considered re-launching it ever since. Leveraging its self-distribution infrastructure, the business is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the opportunity with in-house logistics software and a fleet of vehicles.

The new location will open in 2024, as soon as their state and federal brewing permits are approved. Similar to their other ventures, Eastern Market Brewing Co. plans to activate the space while they wait. This will include an event on Friday, October 27 in partnership with their new landlords, Midtown Inc. and Invest Detroit, where all proceeds will be donated to community-based charities within Detroit.

Retail designer, JGA, is overseeing the branding of the space with an emphasis on restoring the look-and-feel from the 1950s when it was a radio parts manufacturer. The interior will pay homage to other tenants of the building, including the Cass Corridor Food Co-op, whose mission and principles were found in old photographs and resonated with the values on which Eastern Market Brewing Co. was founded.

While Charlotte Street is the flagship location for Elephant & Co., the broader vision is to open additional venues throughout the state creating a hub-and-spoke network enabling Eastern Market Brewing Co. to continue its growth trajectory. Plans are in the works to rebrand their Royal Oak location, Lincoln Tap, as an “Elephant & Co.” and start testing concepts there including Detroit-style pizza and barrel-aged beers.

“Midtown Inc. and Invest Detroit’s commitment to the revitalization of Detroit is impressive and we are fortunate for the opportunity to partner with them. Our team is made up of awesome humans who are deeply passionate about the products they craft, the experiences they curate, and the communities they reside in,” said Pauline Knighton-Prueter, VP of Sales & Marketing. “We look forward to delivering meaningful connections and contributing positively to Midtown’s vibrant community.”

About Eastern Market Brewing Company

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is a community-focused brewery and taproom in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market, a historic district celebrated for its brewing history. Fusing tradition with experimentation, the craft brewery is known for Elephant Juice, their flagship IPA. The taproom is located at 2515 Riopelle Street in Detroit, MI.

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Saugatuck Brewing Company Taps Anheuser-Busch and Wholesaler Veteran to Lead Brewery

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SAUGATUCK, Michigan – Saugatuck Brewing Company (SBC) is pleased to announce John Miller as its new President and CEO and Brad Mixan as new CFO.

As President and CEO, Miller is taking the helm of a company that is focused on growth. SBC acquired Kalamazoo-based Gonzo’s Biggdogg Brewing in 2019 and followed up with the purchase of Grand Rapids-based Creston Brewery in 2021. After the difficult decision to close its Westnedge location in 2022, the brewery fulfilled its plan this year by reopening that brewpub in the former home of Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo. SBC also recently launched two new product lines with the Lake Street Lager and Rainbow Rodeo IPA.

Miller said, “SBC’s focus has always been on the people that work here, the beer we make and the brew pubs we operate,” and he is excited about the opportunity to put his stamp on the vibrant beer market that is West Michigan.

“Being in the beer business as long as I have, you learn quickly that there are a handful of markets in the country that are uniquely passionate about beer, and West Michigan is at the top of that list,” Miller said. “So, this is an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of this. At SBC we believe it is time to invest. I know our best days are ahead, and we are doing what we need to make things happen.”

Miller has amassed 33 years of experience in the beverage industry since his college days. He most recently served as general manager/operating partner at Double Eagle Distributing, where he was recruited to oversee the purchase, integration and operations of an existing beer and non-alcoholic South Florida beverage distributor.

He also spent more than 22 years with Anheuser-Busch, holding various sales and marketing leadership positions mostly in the Midwest and south east regions of the country. All the while, he interacted directly with many of the best wholesalers in the industry. A “lifelong beer guy,” Miller has seen every facet of the beverage industry, from supplier to wholesaler to retail, and believes he can relate to people in the industry, because he has done their jobs before.

In his free time, he loves to fly fish, which coincides nicely with SBC’s recent release of Rainbow Rodeo IPA, snow ski, and is a “die-hard New York Yankees fan.” As a father of two sons, John, along with his wife Beth, enjoy traveling, spending time on the tennis courts and playing an occasional round of golf.

Miller succeeds Ric Gillette, who has been president and CEO of SBC since 2009.

SBC also welcomed aboard Brad Mixan as the brewery’s new CFO. A CPA with more than 20 years of experience, Mixan most recently served as corporate controller for Nexben Inc., where he oversaw more than $17 million in monthly client funding cash flows and assisted the firm’s financial planning and analysis team with $20 million annual budget management and reporting.

“We’re really looking to leverage technology to position the brewery for future growth and success,” said Mixan. “I think it’s going to help us make better decisions. It’s going to allow us to more effectively manage and operate our brewpubs and brewhouse.”

Mixan has lived in Saugatuck for almost seven years with his wife and their two daughters and has been a fan of SBC for many years.

“I’ve been homebrewing for more than 30 years now and in the financial world for almost 25 years, so being able to combine those two passions has been so rewarding,” he said.

Outside of work, he enjoys homebrewing, exploring nature with the family, cheering on the Spartans and enjoying his new favorite, Rainbow Rodeo IPA, at SBC’s Douglas brewpub.

About Saugatuck Brewing Company:

Saugatuck Brewing Company (SBC) first opened its doors on June 23, 2005 as a small, intimate, start-up brewery in Douglas, Michigan. In 2008, SBC moved the entire operation to the 25,000 square foot facility that serves as the headquarters, brewery, warehouse, and Pub and Brew House. In 2019, SBC opened the second taproom in Kalamazoo, Michigan and in 2021 SBC acquired Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In June 2022, SBC made the decision to close the Kalamazoo Westnedge location in order to invest in a new location in downtown Kalamazoo that opened April 10, 2023. SBC is distributed in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Kansas and Colorado and five foreign countries.

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Mothfire Brewing Slated To Open in Ann Arbor

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ANN ARBOR, Michigan – This spring, a new brewery and taproom will ‘hatch’ on Ellsworth Road in Ann Arbor. Mothfire Brewing Co. will be moving into their new home after three years refining their craft beer operation on Industrial Highway. This 6,000 square foot space at 713 W. Ellsworth Road will help the brand continue to spread its wings with state-of-the-art brewing equipment and space to host craft beer enthusiasts, artists, musicians and foodies. Mothfire is partnering with Ann Arbor Chefs Bobby Rosenberger and Kyle Young and their new venture, Carrozza Pizza, a new wood-fired school bus, focused on fresh, unique, ingredients and eclectic pairings with Mothfire beer.

Mothfire Brewing Co. will feature a design-forward taproom which opens up to a large 75+ person patio opening later this summer. The patio space will offer multiple fire pits, live music and immersive rotating art installations.

The brewery operations are helmed by head brewer Alexis Jorgensen, a California native, who has been part of the Michigan brewing scene for several years. Founders Noah Kaplan and David Becker have spent the last 1,000 days bringing the Mothfire Brewing Co. brand to life.

“Mothfire’s vision is all about sparking a cultural bonfire to gather the community around art, music and beer. This new space provides us creative freedom to fully extend our wings and share our beer more widely both locally and across the state of Michigan. We couldn’t be more excited for this metamorphosis.” says Noah Kaplan who also owns Leon Speakers adjacent to the brewery.

The brewery’s design is being brought to life by Synecdoche creative studio, also based out of Ann Arbor. Guests can expect a bright and welcoming artful space with large windows and clean sightlines into the handcrafted Koenig brewhouse.

Mothfire’s beer philosophy focuses on collaboration, creativity, quality craftsmanship and local ingredients. All base malts and select hops are sourced from Michigan farms to create beers that are brighter and nuanced. Although IPAs are a core focus, Mothfire also specializes in craft Pilsners, stouts and fruited sours. The taproom will feature sixteen taps, including local kombucha and craft hard seltzer cocktails for those with gluten sensitivities. Patrons can also purchase cans to go, including special taproom only releases and branded merchandise. There will also be a limited quantity of memberships into the Mothfire Eclipse, launching in May, which provides exclusive access into brewery operations, limited releases and discounts.

The taproom is slated to open early June and will be open six days a week. Mothfire is now hiring for a Taproom Manager and ‘beer-tenders.’ Resumes can be sent to mothfirebrewingco@gmail.com.

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