Bells Brewery

We get a fair amount of Bell's offerings, including plenty of Hopslam, but never saw a bottle of Expedition. What gives?

 

Are you aware that Oberon is a summer seasonal?

Cheers!

 

It's actually sold year-round in AZ, FL and Puerto Rico.

 

Are you aware he did include "non-rare" seasonals as money makers in his post?

 

But a summer seasonal in the majority of Bells US market. I posted this because it seems to me that is is difficult for "Oberon allows Bell's to keep the lights on" when it is only sold (for the vast majority of the US market) only for a few months.

Cheers!

 

Yes, I just don't see how a beer sold for a few months of the year is a money maker.

Cheers!

 

Personally, Bell's is one of my go to breweries. Two Hearted is fantastic and I happen to think that Oberon is an amazingly refreshing beer for the warmer months. Same goes for Oarsman, which is a perfect representation of the Berliner Weiss style IMO. In fact, the only Bell's beer that I haven't "loved" recently was the Kalamazoo Stout and like another poster said above, that's probably more because I'm not a huge fan of licorice. That's fine, I found another way to enjoy my six pack of the stuff...pour it over a glass of SN Torpedo for one hell of a black and tan. Cheers brother.

 

Oberon is sold from late March to the end of September around here. It is also sold year round in part of AL, in addition to the other states mentioned.

It accounts for about 50% of Bells yearly production. Used to be more. There is a reason that the door handles to the new brewery are made out of Oberon taps.
http://bellsbeer.com/files/cache/341837359d6ef471bb27a78f30ddd86c.jpg

 

I owe you an apology. Below is some information about Oberon sales. Even though Oberon is only available for part of the year (in most of the Bell’s US markets) it seems to be a hot seller. Below are stats for 2006 (I think). Does anybody have the stats for 2012? I would not have guessed that a part-time beer would account for more than 50% of Bell’s sales.

Cheers!

Jill McLane Baker / GazetteNewly filled kegs of Oberon sit on a pallet at Bell's Brewery in Galesburg Tuesday March 13, 2007.
540 and 4,000: Approximate number of Oberon kegs and cases that are bottled on an average day before Monday's release of the beer, according to Bell's packaging manager Mike Fuerst.
17: The number of Oberon kegs sold on opening day at Bell's Eccentric Cafe four years ago, the highest ever, according to owner Larry Bell.

7 a.m.: The earliest on Monday you can legally buy Oberon from a retailer, according to Brian Snell, manager at Drake Party Center. He said it's unlikely most retailers will have it in stock by then, so call first.

65 percent: Percentage of Bell's sales in Michigan that were Oberon.

53 percent: Percentage of Bell's sales overall that were Oberon.

5.8 percent: Alcohol by volume in a bottle of Oberon.

 

Jeff, as you can see I found some old statistics for Oberon sales. Do you know the figure for Oberon sales (as a percentage) for 2012?

Jack

 

No, they have ramped up production of other beers with the new brewery, so more Two Hearted is being made, along with other beers. Oberon release day is still big around here.

 

curse you!!!! We need more beers like this. Regularly brewed and well priced Berliner Weiss in six packs. I love this beer and want more available, I wish there was something like this in my area (Festina Peach is a little too sweet for me).

I enjoy two hearted, expedition, black note, and their brown, plus others. I like Hopslam, but not as a DIPA, every time I have had it, it lacks the aroma and hop flavor of other top DIPAs

 

IMO, Oberon was the only Bell's beer that I truly enjoyed. It represents the style well. Two Hearted is an average IPA, but I've never had Hopslam and I'd love to try it.

 

Could hook you up with expedition stout I know where I can still get 6 packs.

 

Thanks, I've still got a few in the cellar, and I think I can also get them @ France44.com. Cheers!

 

Ok feel free to BM if your ever looking for any brews from out my way. Always happy to swap some shelf beers with other BAs.

 

This article doesn't really go into total Oberon sales but gives you an idea of how big the release is.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/03/oberon_day_brings_big_sales.html

 

Not so long ago, Bells sold more Oberon than any other brewery in Michigan brewed. Don't know if that is still true.

 

I will agree that their Pale Ale was a big let down, but.....

Amber Ale
Black Note
Best Brown
Expedition Stout
Hopslam
Java Stout
Kalamazoo Stout
Porter
Special Double Cream Stout
Third Coast Old Ale
Two Hearted

Are all very good to world-class in my book.