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Bell's Beers


vinist

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Bell's is a phenomenal brewery. Glad to have them in the area (btw, I work for a retailer that just got some of their stuff in today- PM if interested.)

A little bird told me that New Belgium is shooting for distribution in this area within a couple of years. Let's hope it works out! Getting reliable, responsible distribution on a nat'l scale isn't easy and can be full of pitfalls.

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Bell's is a phenomenal brewery. Glad to have them in the area (btw, I work for a retailer that just got some of their stuff in today- PM if interested.)

A little bird told me that New Belgium is shooting for distribution in this area within a couple of years. Let's hope it works out! Getting reliable, responsible distribution on a nat'l scale isn't easy and can be full of pitfalls.

I just picked up a bottle of Bells Third Coast Old Ale yesterday at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits. They also had the Cherry Stout in stock.

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Bell's "Oberon" has arrived (early, according to some Michigan-ites) and I had it on draught at Tallula last night (Thanks again, Nathan and Matt!) and it is wonderful!

By the way, Bell's is the very first beer company that I've seen who has a "Batch Look Up" on their website. Enter the batch # from the label and it will tell you when it was bottled :blink: MORE BREWERIES NEED TO ADOPT THIS PROCEDURE!

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By the way, Bell's is the very first beer company that I've seen who has a "Batch Look Up" on their website. Enter the batch # from the label and it will tell you when it was bottled :blink: MORE BREWERIES NEED TO ADOPT THIS PROCEDURE!

Hair of the Dog is one other one that I know does this, although it looks like the vintages haven't been updated since 03. And I know some of the other west coast belgian-style producers have batch numbers (Russian River, maybe Port), but not necessarily maintained on their websites. I imagine it's just an effort level that most of them don't have time to maintain, but I too wish it was more prevalent. It's very useful, especially when you're talking about this high-alcohol "will age very well" types.

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Anybody else drinking Two Hearted Ale? I think it's a Bells product. Had it at the Birreria, and also bought it at the liquor store. It's my favorite right now... Darn right tasty and refreshing - with big time hops!
On tap right now at The Reef. Drank it today- had it many many times before- love it to death. Their Oberon is the best beer they make, IMHO.
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Anybody else drinking Two Hearted Ale? I think it's a Bells product. Had it at the Birreria, and also bought it at the liquor store. It's my favorite right now... Darn right tasty and refreshing - with big time hops!

We currently are serving 2 Hearted (and yes it is one of Larry Bell's beers) on cask as well as on draft. 2 Hearted 2 Ways!!

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Add me to the list of folks who are thankful for the availability and good distribution of the Bell's Brewery products in the D.C. area. I picked up a sixer of their Pale Ale on Sunday and found it to be delicious.
Next try the Oberon- it's unreal.
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I will give it a shot soon -- I've noticed that Bourbon has it in bottles.

Oberon is their best seller and was pretty much on tap everywhere in Chicago before Bell's pulled out of Illinois. It's probably their most "user-friendly" beer, not that that is a bad thing.

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Oberon is their best seller and was pretty much on tap everywhere in Chicago before Bell's pulled out of Illinois. It's probably their most "user-friendly" beer, not that that is a bad thing.
And the Reef just got it on tap recently. Beats the pants off alagash any day.
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Hopslam season is so sad here in Atlanta--it looks like Bell's does not currently distribute to Georgia (no wonder, with all of our ridiculous blue laws). :P

Anyone want to ship me a case? Haha...

Due to the hop shortage, a usually very limited production was made even slighter this year. I've started stocking the basement now...

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Bell's Oberon is also available in the 5 L kegs. Apparently, Bell's now has a dedicated kegging line for year-round 5L mini kegs. Great news, great beer.

We had an Oberon keg at our recent party. Sadly, for the first time ever, we had a small beer crowd. Hub had to kick it himself over the next few days.

One of our (long ago) wedding party members, who's finishing grad school in Ann Arbor, saw the pic and commented his approval. I think now I know what part of his wedding gift will be next summer.

They do well with their mini-kegs, though. Reasonably priced for high-quality product.

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I could have sworn that there was a dedicated Bell's beer thread here, but....

Anyway, some good news: Bell's Two-Hearted Ale is now available in 5.0-liter mini kegs!

I believe that another of their beers is also available in that size, but I'm fixated on Two-Hearted. :rolleyes:

After (ahem) Miller Lite, Two Hearted IPA is my best selling beer. 20 cases a month.

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After (ahem) Miller Lite, Two Hearted IPA is my best selling beer. 20 cases a month.

When I find a beer list with much in the Miller Lite and Bud Lite neighborhood, the (often afterthought) appearance of

the Bell's Two Hearted Ale brightens my day. But the patterns of distribution are puzzling ... Bell's products available in

DC and much of Virginia, (and in Pennsylvania), but not in Maryland?

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When I find a beer list with much in the Miller Lite and Bud Lite neighborhood, the (often afterthought) appearance of

the Bell's Two Hearted Ale brightens my day. But the patterns of distribution are puzzling ... Bell's products available in

DC and much of Virginia, (and in Pennsylvania), but not in Maryland?

Give them time. Maryland isn't as tough a state to do alcohol business in as Virginia or Pennsylvania, but it will get there soon enough.

Can't tell you how these decisions are made as to which markets get products ahead of others, there are so many variables, but this also might be a "slow growth" business model.

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I'm planning on get a keg or two of Bell's beers for an upcoming party. I know that Arrowine sells it occasionally. Anyone know of any other sources (preferably in DC)?

I buy my Bell's at Magruder's on Connecticut in Chevy Chase (DC). Never asked them about kegs though.
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I'm planning on get a keg or two of Bell's beers for an upcoming party. I know that Arrowine sells it occasionally. Anyone know of any other sources (preferably in DC)?

I've seen them at Rodman's (the DC one), Chevy Chase Wine, Cleveland Park Wine and The Wine Specialist (though Timmy is gone now so can't vouch for their current quality of selections).

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I'm planning on get a keg or two of Bell's beers for an upcoming party. I know that Arrowine sells it occasionally. Anyone know of any other sources (preferably in DC)?

Call Wagner's at 1717 Wisconsin Avenue (just below the Safeway)and special-order whatever you need. Should only take them a day or two to get it, assuming that they don't have any in stock.

Wagner's is D.C.'s busiest keg store, and their keg prices are also the best I've seen here.

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Picked up a 6 pack of the Bells Winter White. As someone who is a huge witbier fan, this heartier/nicely spiced version is a refreshing change for the winter months. Actually reminded me a bit of the Troegs Dream Weaver but a bit heavier. I first tried this last year on draft at the Big Hunt but couldn't find it in the area by bottle (sadly, at this point last year, I was unaware of Ace Beverage :( ), however I have seen it all over this year.

Bells continues to amaze me with the quality of their product.

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On tap at The Big Hunt tonight. Vraiment incroyable.

Rodmans has 6 packs (19.99)

Churchkey tweeted that it would be on tap Monday. Probably long gone by now. Maplewood Grill in Vienna is halfway through the half-keg they were allotted after one night. I am sure that others are popping up and going quickly. Virginia distributors for 6 packs will probably not get it out to retail until Thursday or Friday. BTW, I have been in a hop funk for about 6 months, and have been enjoying more stouts and porters, but the HopSlam at Maplewood tonight was sublime.

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Thanks for the heads up on the beer thread. I just got back from Arrowine where I picked up a six pack of Hopslam for $22.99. It was the last one in the cooler, but they probably have some more. I think their coolers only go 3 six packs deep. There was also a healthy collection of Black Ops bottles for $25.99 each.

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This past weekend, Rustico had Bell's Cherry Stout on (I think) cask. It was listed as a Real Ale. The malt intertwined with the tartness of the cherries very pleasantly. I mean intertwined in a metaphoric sense. Not literally. They may have literally intertwined, but I couldn't see because it was in my mouth. Where it belongs.

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This past weekend, Rustico had Bell's Cherry Stout on (I think) cask. It was listed as a Real Ale. The malt intertwined with the tartness of the cherries very pleasantly. I mean intertwined in a metaphoric sense. Not literally. They may have literally intertwined, but I couldn't see because it was in my mouth. Where it belongs.

Churchkey has it, too.

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Hopslam is out!!!

$23.99/6-pack at WF on P St. $23.99!! I know it's WF mark up, but that is a YoY increase of around 35-40% I believe. Although maybe I'm mistaken: was this sold in 4-packs last year? If so, my outrage is diminished slightly.

Sorry, Bell's, not worth it. HopSlam is a great beer, but it's not $10+ greater or more distinguishable than any number of other IIPAs and hop monsters out there. Would have been better marketed as a bomber, but I know that's not how they roll.

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$23.99/6-pack at WF on P St. $23.99!! I know it's WF mark up, but that is a YoY increase of around 35-40% I believe. Although maybe I'm mistaken: was this sold in 4-packs last year? If so, my outrage is diminished slightly.

Sorry, Bell's, not worth it. HopSlam is a great beer, but it's not $10+ greater or more distinguishable than any number of other IIPAs and hop monsters out there. Would have been better marketed as a bomber, but I know that's not how they roll.

No, you're right, it's about a 40% increase, as I seem to remember getting it for about $16 a six-pack last year. Is this the hop shortage kicking in? Or just the increased hype about this beer? I did pick up one six-pack, and I do think this year's HopSlam is the best yet, but at $11.99 a six-pack (which is what I found it for at Whole Foods on P Street tonight), I think the also just released Troegs' Nugget Nectar is a much better buy.

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No, you're right, it's about a 40% increase, as I seem to remember getting it for about $16 a six-pack last year. Is this the hop shortage kicking in? Or just the increased hype about this beer? I did pick up one six-pack, and I do think this year's HopSlam is the best yet, but at $11.99 a six-pack (which is what I found it for at Whole Foods on P Street tonight), I think the also just released Troegs' Nugget Nectar is a much better buy.

I would have accepted the hop shortage excuse if there were increases across the board. Did we see Stone Ruination prices skyrocket? Victory Hop Wallop? Nope. Both of those are of comparable quality. Bell's might be shooting themselves in the foot here, but depending on the production run they'll probably sell out anyway, just might take a little longer (I think HopSlam lasted all of a week in the area last year)

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I had Hopslam (served in a sniffer) on tap at Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon. 8 bucks.

It was delicious, but I would agree with Chris above, I don't know if its THAT much better than Troegs Nuggest Nectar.

While they have it on draft, you can a glass of Hopslam for $4 at the new Bistro La Bonne on U Street during their happy hour (5-7, I think).

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