Kalamazoo Brew pubs quench thirst for hops

With summer just a few weeks away Kalamazoo’s local breweries are getting ready to release their summer brews to the public. These popular breweries have a wide variety of micro-brews, which offer flavors to satisfy everyone.

The party to celebrate the first release of Oberon Ale, the signature ale for Bell’s Brewery, is a rite of spring for many Kalamazoo residents. Owner Larry Bell is one of the pioneers of the microbrewery movement in the United States and sold his first beer in 1985. 

Bell’s has grown significantly since its beginning, originally producing annually 135 barrels of beer; production now exceeds more than 90,000 barrel a year. Bell’s distributes its beer across a 15-state area, and in 1993 became the first Michigan brew pub to serve beer by the glass to the public. 

Bell’s currently brews 19 specialty beers. Oberon, popular in the summer, is a light, sweet, wheat beer named for a character in Shakespeare’s “A Mid-summer Night’s Dream.” The beer is served with an orange slice to really bring out its citrusy taste. Bell’s Eccentric Café offers pub-style service for beer tasting, simple food, local bands indoors and a beer garden perfect for sitting outdoors to listen to live music and catch up with friends.

“I like to go to Bell’s to grab a beer, sit outside, and hang out with my friends,” said Sarah McFee, a senior majoring in organizational communications. “Winter White is my favorite Bell’s beer, but in the summer I prefer Oberon.”

Another brewery in downtown Kalamazoo is Olde Peninsula Pub, which is located in a historic building built in 1874. This brew pub offers a full menu of food and fresh brews.

Dan Kiplinger, head brew master, has some special brews in store for beer-lovers this summer season. Available only in-house, the batch No. 400 is currently being served and is the third installment of OP’s “Whole-lotta-hopps” series. Kiplinger describes the beer as intense, but well balanced, featuring two and a half times the hops in the regular IPA.

Just a short walk or ride from campus is Bilbo’s Pizza and Brewery on Stadium Drive. Bilbo’s offers homemade deep dish and thin crust pizza, along with six different homemade brews and up to 18 other beers on tap.

Dopplebock, a dark beer with a strong malty flavor, becomes available in spring.. Duff beer is also back for the summer, which features a subtle hint of chocolate.

Many WMU students take time off from their busy schedules to enjoy summer evenings eating and drinking at these brew pubs. With the variety of brews these pubs have to offer, visiting a Kalamazoo brew pub is a delicious way to enjoy summer nights, with a favorite brew in hand.