Bell’s Beer introduces cans for boaters

By Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki

July 3, 2014 at 1:54 pm

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale in cans.

The irony of it. Bell’s Beer, whose brewery is based in Kalamazoo, MI, is the name sponsor of the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race. And Bell’s Two Hearted Ale was recently named best India Pale Ale (IPA) in the world by RateBeer.com. Yet, sailors haven’t been drinking Bell’s Beer on their boats.

Now they can.

Bell’s was only available in bottles. And bottles aren’t easily carted aboard sailboats that tilt with every turn.

Living in Michigan, there’s a lot of outdoor activities that people enjoy doing that bottles weren’t appropriate for.

But starting in May, Bell’s began producing two of their beers in cans, Two Hearted Ale and Oberon, their summer seasonal American wheat ale, said Laura Bell, Vice-president of Bell’s and daughter of founder Larry Bell.

Bell’s Oberon Ale in Cans

“Living in Michigan, there’s a lot of outdoor activities that people enjoy doing that bottles weren’t appropriate for,” Laura Bell said. “We’re a pretty active state.”

The Two Hearted Ale will be available in cans year round. Bell’s also plans to produce their seasonal brews in cans.

Oberon is Bell’s summer brew and will be available until Labor Day. Best Brown, a brown ale, will be available in cans from Labor Day through the end of October; Winter White, a wheat ale, will be canned from November through January; and Smitten, a golden rye pale ale, will be canned from February through March.

“I’m excited. It’s definitely a nice addition to our lineup,” Laura Bell said.