They promise the beer won't change. Your favorites -- Oberon, Two Hearted, Third Coast or any of the others -- will still be Michigan-made and the company that makes them, Michigan-focused.
Larry Bell in a video posted on the company website Wednesday
But Bell's Brewery, the Kalamazoo craft brewer that took a local treasure and shared it with (most of) the nation, won't be owned by Bells anymore.
In big Michigan business news, The Detroit News reports:
Australian-based beer company Lion will purchase pioneering Michigan beer brand Bell's Brewery as owner Larry Bell looks to retire from the 36-year-old company. The sale puts Bell's in alignment with Colorado's New Belgium Brewery, which was acquired by Lion in 2019.
..."I think what people can expect is more of the same," Bell told The Detroit News. "More great beer, more of the values that we cherish in our culture here at Bell's and bigger and better things. We're still going to be making great beer in Comstock, Kalamazoo and Escanaba, our breweries here in Michigan."
Larry Bell is in his 60s, had a bout with cancer in the last year, and has said he is ready to retire. He and his daughter, Laura Bell, own all of the company's stock. No purchase price was disclosed.
In a statement on the company's website, Bell promised:
As I make this announcement, I want to make two things very clear: First, Bell’s home is – and will remain – in Kalamazoo County. While I fully expect this alignment with New Belgium will result in countless new fans around the country and beyond, we are still a Michigan-based operation brewing (world-class) Michigan beer. Second, our values, our DNA and our dedication to this community will not change. If anything, our belief in positively impacting the world will only be strengthened through our work with New Belgium.
I know the brewery is in good hands. Bell’s and New Belgium are very similar in a lot of ways. We share the same values and commitments to our people, to our communities, and to the quality of our beer. As hard as it is for me to let go, I know I have found in Lion and New Belgium true partners – and beer lovers – who value the Bell’s brand, employees, culture and places we call home.
Bell's beers are distributed to 43 states.
