Those are Michigan hops on the right.
How can I tell? It’s a trick. I shot the picture in 1995 when we were on our way to visit Kalamazoo Brewing, as it was known then, and talk with founder Larry Bell for a story Daria was writing for Brew magazine. We stopped at a roadside farm stand, chatted with the woman selling produce from her farm and she mentioned she was also grew hops for Bell.
Not enough for even a decent size batch of beer, but that wasn’t the point. A few years later Bell bought some six-row barley — you know, the stuff America’s largest breweries use — grown on Michigan’s “Thumb” to brew a batch of Homegrown Ale.
So a recent transaction seems perfectly consistent. “I’m becoming a farmer,” he told the Kalamazoo Gazette after signing a $400,000 sales agreement with a farmer near Mount Pleasant who will grow two-row barley for Bell’s Brewery, as its known these days.
A subsidiary of Bell’s Brewery Inc., called Bell’s Brewery Farms LLC, purchased an 80-acre farm in Shephard. Bell said that land is being prepared to grow soy beans as part of a regular crop rotation. That land should produce barley by next year. Turnwald has already used 40 acres of another nearby property to grow barley for Bell’s.
That barley will most likely be used for a new specialty brew, Bell said.
“Our preliminary plan right now … is to introduce a new brand in November and it’s not for sure at this time, but it would be a Christmas ale made with Michigan barley and, partial, Michigan-grown hops,” said Bell.
Isn’t it winemakers who are supposed to be farmers?
Thin edge of the wedge I’d say, Stan. I’ve heard a whisper of a 20 acre hop plot that one brewer is putting in and another group investing in the equipment to process. Nothing quote worthy yet but it seems obvious that control of supply is a great way to set yourself apart in the coming years.
What will happen if price points get defined by those with vertical integration and those without?
Love the story Stan. Local. Terroir. Pride. The future of brewing?
How do the hops like Michigan?
BTW- how’s the beer?
I must agree the only way to ensure “raw materials” is to grow them your self. That and “grass-roots” type home gardens. Or perhaps we should all grow “Victory (hops) Gardens”, for the greater good.
Piggybacking Todd’s BTW: this is the first year for my hop garden – they are very pretty but I understand it will be a few years before I actually get to taste them.
Also heard Larry is entering the Wine business (say it aint so!!) in Northern Michigan.. Somewhere near Northport..What’s going on in Northport? It’s now becoming a spot to buy and develop libations!
Hi , I recently found a braclet with many charms and award minitures on it . they are engraved with the name Larry Bell . Also has dates of 1938 and some trinkets on it So who or where is Larry Bell , is it you.?