COMSTOCK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo on Sunday, April 24, will honor the diversity of it’s staff with the release of Sparkle and SMash, a new beer designed and brewed by Bell’s staff as part of the Unite Celebration 2022.
The beer boasts an alcohol by volume rating of 8% with strong, fruit and spice tasting notes, and will be available for purchase in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles at Bell’s General Store in downtown Kalamazoo and on tap at Eccentric Cafe.
Officials say the new specialty brew celebrates the significant, and often overlooked contributions of women in the beer industry and beyond, and is brewed with ingredients from two women-owned Michigan businesses: hops from Mr. Wizzard’s Hops Farm in Monroe, along with malt from Empire Malting Company.
Brewed as part of the International Women’s Collaboration Brew “Unite” banner, the hope is that others will learn, feel empowered, and in turn, help uplift even more voices in craft beer and beyond.
“This beer and others like it, are part of our commitment to connect what we do best: brew amazing, delicious beer with something that our industry needs to continue to strive to do,” said Carrie K. Yunker, Bell’s Executive Vice President.. “We need to ask whose voices and ideas are being represented in our business then seek out and amplify underrepresented perspectives to both the brewing industry and our wider communities.”
“Women’s contributions to craft beer are vast and go back to the beginning of brewing, but their stories are often missing from the narrative, said Courtney Simmons, Equity and Inclusion Director. “Our participation with Unite started as a collaboration beer and has become much more: an opportunity to create community, learn, and amplify stories from the myriad of important contributions women make every day to craft beer.”
The official release event to take place on Sunday, April 24th from 12 to 4 p.m. at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe and General Store at 355 East Kalamazoo Avenue. The celebration is open to the public with food and entertainment.
