When Larry Bell started brewing back in 1985, he was using a 15-gallon soup pot. Motivated by the Belgian tradition of making lighter beers for farmers to drink in their field, Bell set out to make a refreshing summer beer. They will have live music, food, games and, of course, Oberon. It's "still the same delicious Oberon," said Josh Smith, Bell's communication manager. But, just like with every year as we and life around us emerge from the dark winter months alive and excited for the warmer times ahead, Oberon has survived and endured, becoming more than a brand, but a symbol for spring and the coming summer. Bells lawyer suggested that instead of spending millions of dollars fighting a much bigger and older brewery for naming rights, he simply change the moniker. "This may be a long-standing Bell's tradition, but it also showcases an incredible amount of hard work," said Carrie K. Yunker, Bell's executive vice president. Grace is the Managing Editor for Hop Culture and Untappd. I call Oberon the national beer of Michigan, says Bell, who actually talked to the governor of Michigan about naming the release day of Oberon a national holiday. She and I discussed how our bitterness threshold has developed as we've enjoyed hoppier and hoppier beers. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. Oberon already has its place in Bells and Michigan craft beer fans hearts, but Bell says there are still potential innovations coming down the line. Solsun took inspiration from the word saison, using Belgian malt and German hops, but added American yeast to craft a completely unique, cloudy wheat beer. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March 21 as Oberon Day in Michigan, signing an official proclamation. Sitting in the bar after a baseball game is one of Bells favorite places to enjoy an Oberon. Streaming on ClickOnDetroit and Local 4+ from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays. Oberon marks the first sign of spring for us Michiganders, we made it through another winter and spring is here now, says Amy Richards, the Key Partnerships and Promotions Manager at Bells, who actually started working as a beer-tender at Bells Eccentric Caf in 2001, Oberon means sunny days with friends, beach days, floats down the river, grilling out in the backyard, playing bags on a summer day, music in the beer garden, festivals, and just about every activity you could do in the summer months with a cold beer.. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and offerings from, Museum exhibit to explore natures influence on fashion, Midland couple to open Taste of Cairo in downtown Grand Rapids. Its incredibly exciting to now acknowledge this day as the official start to those brighter days ahead.. When I think of summerI go over to Wrigley Field in Chicago, says Bell. To learn more about Oberon Day, visit BellsBeer.com and to find the nearest place to buy Oberon, visit the brewery's beer finder. And, during the summer months in Michigan, Oberon holds the top spot as the brewerys number one selling beer. Going even further, Wake Up! To see this state come alive after a long, dreary winter, it's truly inspiring and uplifting to see. When Oberon came out [in the spring] people saw it as a celebration of having survived winter and summer coming, says Bell.

Oberon Day became an ode to the beers release and a celebration of spring. She also organizes and produces the largest weeklong women in craft beer festival in the country, Beers With(out) Beards and the first-ever festival celebrating the colorful, vibrant voices in the queer community in craft beer, Queer Beer. This still holds true today. His long walks helped him get his mind off his health issues and get outside for some exercise. There have been some very fun moments, but one epic day stands out, and not just to me. At 4 p.m., Mango Habanero will be tapped. Thankfully, the same old Oberon will be pouring bright and golden again on March 21. CT releases names of marijuana businesses given initial approval, $2 million Powerball ticket sold in Connecticut remains unclaimed, Swimming banned at these CT locations Tuesday due to water quality, Why Simsburys Gavin Griffiths chose Rutgers over UConn mens basketball, others: Tough decision, Geno Auriemma says Sue Bird earned her fame: You knew there was something unique about her, Jill Biden cools off with cone from New Haven creamery Arethusa during CT visit, Leader of brazen ring accused of 180 burglaries in CT and beyond gets 7 years in jail, Mall developer accuses architect in $11 million suit, Deadly exchange of gunfire is the fourth CT shootout in week, Lamont is nations most popular Democratic governor, poll finds. When he filed the papers a big brewery called Cervecera Cuauhtmoc Moctezuma, which brewed a flagship beer called El Sol (the sun), caught wind of Solsun. Bell's Brewing has announced that Monday, March 21 is officially Bell's Oberon Day. For now almost 29 years when spring rolls around, the revered brewery in Kalamazoo and Comstock, MI shakes the snow from its boots, stows aways its shovels, stores its winter jackets, and prepares for Oberon Day, the official release day of Bells Oberon, an American Wheat Beer synonymous with sunshine in a glass. He bought a piece of art carved by the artist Tracey Allenberg from a fallen piece of redwood. An avid collector of carvings and masks, Bell had been inspired by a sculpture he found in the Muir Woods National Monument while visiting California in 1990 to give a speech at The American Homebrewers Associations National Homebrewers Conference. formId: "c176d6e2-4102-4d0f-b4b1-b143f882ee24" Whether a revolutionary style of its time, the centerpiece of an unofficial holiday, a sign of spring, or a beacon of hope for the future, Oberon is perhaps best described by Bell with three simple words: Sunny summer afternoon.. It was sobering, says Bell, who took a look at things and thought hed better start getting out and hiking. The trails 1150 miles are perfect for hiking and adventuring. I had my legs under me and Bells was starting to become profitable, so I felt like I could stretch a bit more, says Bell. "I can't remember what it was, but something had all the hospital staff and first responders in a rough spot for some reason and a ton of them poured in right at 7 and we kicked a keg by 7:30.," he continued. In 2020, Bell had, what he calls, a cancer event. Bells Brewery is honored by Gov Gretchen Whitmers proclamation making today Oberon Day in the State of Michigan. Gov. Spring is in the air, and Bell's Oberon available for your glass again. People are encouraged to use the Bells beer finder to find where Oberon is currently on shelves or on tap. Im not going to get any younger, laughs Bell.

Nothing beats being crowned King or Queen of Oberon at midnight after you sang your heart out to a room full of strangers, but maybe you arent anywhere near Kalamazoo, or Michigan for that matter, and you still got to tune in and hang out with us, says Richards, who notes that over 1,000 people joined them online. }); Rachel Watson was a Grand Rapids Business Journal/Grand Rapids Magazine staff reporter who most recently covered food and beverage, agriculture, economic development, manufacturing, small business and startups, banking and finance, human resources, and DEI. And, lo and behold the experiment paid off and the cloudy wheat beer caught on. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). Technically, the first day of spring was Sunday, but the real first day of spring is today -- its Oberon Day! "I have a lot of Oberon Day memories, but one of my favorites was in 2015," Klug said. Then about 20 minutes later a distributor truck pulled out and a man came in carrying two kegs with those Bell's black and yellow lines on them. While everyone has their own favorite place or way to drink Oberon, whether out on the trail, building a bonfire at the beach, or sitting back at a baseball game, this beer unequivocally has come to represent the changing of the seasons. It means it's time to get outdoors more and visit with friends.". In a video posted a couple of years ago, Larry Bell, the founder and president of Bell's, talks about writing the original recipe for Oberon. April, May, June weather forecast starts with Michigan in a weather bullseye, Gov. Bells Brewery as a whole has become synonymous with local craft beer in Michigan. One theory I've had, and one that was confirmed by Laura Bell, former president of Bell's Brewery and Larry Bell's daughter, a few years ago is that our palates have changed over the years. The thing about Oberon is that while the recipe hasn't changed, the brewery it's made at sure has. This may be a long-standing Bells tradition, but it also showcases an incredible amount of hard work, said Carrie K. Yunker, Bells Executive Vice President. There will be midnight tappings of Oberon kegs on Sunday, but the real kick off of the Oberon season takes place at Bell's pub, the Eccentric Caf in downtown Kalamazoo on Monday. We could not do this without all of our employees who make this celebration a reality every year. ", "I was so disappointed: No Oberon on Oberon Day," Klug asked rhetorically. In fact Larry Bell, President and founder of Bells Brewery, originally named the beer Solsun to reflect his desire to create the perfect summer beer, pulling on inspiration from Belgian saisons. For the last five years, she's been a journalist at some big media company, eating and drinking her way across the state. At the time Bell wasnt sure that this type of style would catch on. I give an extra shout-out to Oberon, because without its incredible popularity, my beloved Bell's Two Hearted IPA wouldn't be the brewery's number one seller now, and I wouldn't be able to find it on tap at the majority of bars across Michigan. An Oberon comes in at 25 International Bittering Units, while a beer like Two Hearted has 60. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and offerings from Grand Rapids Magazine! Its popularity never seems to wain each summer, even though there are a few craft beer aficionados who now turn up their nose to this orange-hued beauty, making claims that it doesn't taste the same as it used to. In addition to a unique virtual celebration this year, the brewery also announced a new partnership with the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). Let them have it. That was the moment things jumped the shark, says Bell. He's been with WDIV since 2013. RELATED: Bells Brewery looks toward future under local leadership and New Belgium partnership.

Plus, its the perfect baseball beer. Gretchen Whitmer proclaims March 21 officially Oberon Day in Michigan, The top pizza city in the entire country is in Michigan says new ranking. Its a sentiment that many people around Michigan share. We got there and I ordered an Oberon but the bartender said their key hadn't arrived yet. There are dozens and dozens of events around the state, from pub-crawls through downtown Kalamazoo, to midnight tappings and specials all over. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. What used to taste fairly bold, now can seem almost tame, but still delicious. But they still found a way to revere the tradition, welcoming people to enjoy freshly tapped Oberon at the Eccentric Caf Beer Garden with limited capacity while following strict social distancing and safety practices. Currently, both Bells Two Hearted, a year-round American-style IPA, and Oberon make up 80 percent of Bells annual production. The Oberon 5L mini kegs will begin shipping in June with a new design. Midnight release parties have ushered in the season, with the following Monday being a celebration of everything we love about summers in Michigan. In the mid-2000s, Bells made beron, a whiskey barrel-aged version of Oberon, so Bell half-jokes that, Five years from now we might be talking about the non-alcoholic version called Soberon.. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. and they will be serving Oberon and many of the popular variants all day. During a year that saw most people confined to their apartments as the COVID-19 global pandemic forced city shutdowns across the country, having an outlet to get outside proved essential.

beer enthusiasts flock to Bells Eccentric Caf, Bells Brewery looks toward future under local leadership and New Belgium partnership. Grace holds her Masters degree in the Food Studies program at NYU. "The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel making it a classic summer beer. Bars across West Michigan will be celebrating the arrival of Bell's Oberon all week. She graduated from Aquinas College and promptly headed into the kitchen, where she was a working chef for over 20 years. Get West Michigan Travel News, Events and Specials delivered to your inbox. It will light up your Oberon..

I had the artist take the face of the carving and insert it into the sun, says Bell. We look forward to celebrating (the now officially proclaimed) Oberon Day for many years to come! Yunker added. Sign-up for our email newsletter & receive a free copy of our West Michigan Travel Guide! I would often grab one or two [Oberons] after work and head out to catch up with my friends. Actually, he lives just a four-block walk from the Cubs home stadium. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Outdoor games will dot the lawn outside. With that goal for Oberon to celebrate the first few days of spring and welcome the upcoming summer, Bell carried the theme across the name and the logo. But it was also Oberons reputation as the spring and summer beer that fueled its rise to stardom. Bell wanted Oberon to be different. This is the 30th seasonal tapping of the popular seasonal wheat ale, which will begin appearing at bars and stores across the state and country this week. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Creating a special design for its five-liter Oberon mini-keg, Bell teamed up with NCTA to help support and promote Americas longest scenic trail the largest section of which passes through Michigan and the heart of Kalamazoo. The annual opening rite of a Michigan spring is finally back after a two-year hiatus, and craft beer lovers across the state are ready to celebrate. Related: Gov. So while the recipe hasn't changed, our perception of it has. As the weather is finally getting warmer, one of Michigan's most popular craft beers is making its yearly debut. We are incredibly grateful to our fans for helping us continue this longstanding tradition both here at home in Michigan, and far beyond our great state. Additionally, the brewery hosted a virtual event called Wake Up! The name Oberon comes from the king character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." On tap, you'll find limited quantities of special Oberon varieties. I thought Americans would say its cloudy and something is wrong, says Bell. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Despite being only a seasonal beer for Bells, Oberons popularity has grown exponentially year after year. with Oberon opened up the doors for people across the country to tune in. Brewed with just water, malt, hops and yeast, Oberon has a citrusy flavor and aroma. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Made with only our ingredients, and without the use of any spices or fruit, Oberon is the color and scent of a sunny afternoon.". On the 30th anniversary of Bells Brewerys Oberon Ale, Gov. Although there hasnt been an official designation, Bells aficionados now look forward to the unofficial holiday every year for its midnight tappings, vibrant parties, and signal to start emerging from hibernation. This year, Bell has pledged that hell walk 250 miles of the trail and donate a portion of the proceeds from the NCTA designed Oberon mini keg to the eponymous organization. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Excellence in Education Award Nominations. Which certainly helped Oberon grow. While certainly not a normal year for an Oberon release by any means, the brand continues to burn bright and Bell is optimistic that next year everyone will be back out together in full force. It just became this juggernaut that took on a life of its ownespecially in Michigan where we have long arduous winters. Sign up for our WMTA Travel Newsletter. As we drank our beers, the talk of the mixer was that the Oberon keg hadn't arrived yet. Its incredibly exciting to now acknowledge this day as the official start to those brighter days ahead. "Santa can keep his presents, but don't take this away from me! Even Gov. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. This 21 and over event will feature a DJ in the parking lot from 11-2 p.m., yacht rockers the Docksiders will play in the beer garden from 2-4, and from 5-11 another DJ will spin tunes. with Oberon, which included a coast-to-coast virtual toast, and interviews with an all-star line-up of guests including Bell himself. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Marie. I wanted to do something inspired by Belgian brews but dialed in for Americans [because] there wasnt much in the way of anyone doing anything Belgian-wise, that was pretty exotic, says Bell, who notes he designed Oberon at 5.8% ABV to be lighter than what Belgians traditionally brew, but still pretty firm. And we may just have one other surprise to share on Monday, so stay tuned.. Find upcoming Oberon releases around Michigan here. Some bars even have midnight release parties every year for the Oberon Ale. "For years, we never served an orange here at the bar with it," he said. Have a news tip? More details about this and other brewery news and events around Michigan at mibrewtrail.com/events. I was nervous how I would celebrate. Sign up for our newsletter to get the best craft beer writing on the web delivered straight to your inbox. Hotchkiss, who was previously with the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, brings over Read More .

An avid baseball fan, Bell loves to not only enjoy an Oberon or two in Northern Michigan in the summer, but also at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL. Logan's is a popular third-shift bar for workers from many of the nearby hospitals, meaning that they show up early, and ready to go. For years, employees and fans alike have said Oberon Day is their unofficial start to spring to get in a summer state of mind. The 5-Minute Guide to Hazy IPA Food Pairing, 15 Things You Didnt Know About the Great American Beer Festival. While many kegs were tapped at midnight, there are still several Oberon Day parties and releases throughout the week in Michigan. portalId: "5641483", And, if youre looking for more ways to celebrate in the future this year the brewery will be hosting another event called Bright Nights also featuring Oberon and celebrating the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year this Sunday, June 20th. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Flowers budding, sun shining, snow melting, baseball bats cracking. agrees to move rate hike hearing, same format, Half of eligible homes claimed CTs $250 per child tax rebate, Bethel police welcome K-9 Penelope, their first bloodhound, Danburys fast track to NYC plan gets $2M grant to move forward. Thursday thunderstorms cause isolated damage across West Michigan, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fine Friday; Saturday Night Storms, Restaurants not worried about Irish on Ionia cancellation, Social districts are officially here to stay in Grand Rapids, Whitecaps reveal 'Fan Food' winner for 2022 season. On the menu, a special Oberon flavored brat with sauerkraut, mojo pork tacos, a chickpea parm meatball with orange sauce, ginger rice noodle salad, and mango habanero salsa and chips. We are incredibly grateful to our fans for helping us continue this longstanding tradition both here at home in Michigan and far beyond our great state. Did the approachable, easy-drinking Oberon become the "gateway" to craft beer for many? Were just going to continue to give all the love we can to that brand.and hope that we can make the next generation of beer drinkers happy and show them the enjoyment that comes along with that beer, says Bell. Whitmers proclamation today is a significant milestone for our team and our brewery, and we are thrilled to begin celebrating Oberons 30th anniversary with this exciting news, said Carrie Yunker, Bells Brewery executive vice president.

Bell's makes a variety of beers year round, but it's the Oberon Ale that gets summer started for beer fans. Liked this article? Bell's began brewing Oberon Ale in the early 1990's. This year, Johnson recommends a stop at Crunchy's Bar in Lansing, where they crown a new King and Queen Oberon every year. Under a new name, but with the same sunny vibes, the beer continued to shine brighter each and every spring. Oberon is the beer that put Bell's on the map, and arguably kicked off the craft beer craze here in Michigan. And, Bells Brewery Oberon flowing. "No need to mess with a great thing.". Was it the first craft beer? Now, Bell's has a massive production facility in Comstock, with the capability to brew well over 500,000 barrels a year. Seeing the state come together each year to celebrate the promise that Oberon season brings is truly inspiring, Yunker said. ", "It's that first hint of warm sunshine especially for us up here in da Yoop," said Pete Donofrio, a Bell's fan from Sault Ste. Click Here to Enter a Giveaway from Tours Around Michigan! Beyond just the turning of the seasons, the release of Oberon every March also coincides with the beginning of Major Leagues Baseball. Raise a glass to new beginnings, while enjoying an old friend from the crew at Bell's Brewery. In the late afternoon, the sun hits the windows on the building across the way and shines into the bar.