Kalama-Who?
Something rotten is currently going on in Chicago. Our precious Bell’s beers are leaving Illinois, with an uncertain future return date. Here is a short write-up in the Chicagoist that details some of the trouble.
In honor of the great beers produced just east of Kalamazoo, Michigan, I have crafted up a Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Holland area map (basically a beer map of southwestern Michigan). Hopefully in the near future, I will have time to visit some of the fine Western Michigan breweries, and hopefully I will then have a chance to stock up on some Bell’s beer.
From studying the map, it appears that a great circular tour could be arranged, hitting New Holland, Founders and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, with possibly a side track to Dark Horse or The Livery. All in all it sounds like the potential for a great beer related trip that could easily be accomplished over a long weekend.
It really will be a sad day in Illinois when I can no longer buy Bell’s Two Hearted or any of their awesome stouts (not to mention the seasonals or their “projects”!). I hope that they are able to resolve this issue sometime soon. If no solution to the issue can be found, I hope that Bell’s is able to spread their business to new states. Either way, we will continue to support them as long as they continue to do what they do best; make great beer!
October 27th, 2006 at 1:01 am
Bell’s left the market. oh no. whatever shall we do. i cannot respect bell’s decision to foolishy leave the chicago market. a man can be proud but he cannot let his pride inevitably hurt his workers paychecks.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:38 am
Please inform us of all of the other insider information you are privy to, Mr. “Bell’s? did you mean Sam Adams?”. Good email address too!
I really don’t see how he could be trying to hurt his worker’s paychecks when he is actively shopping around for new markets. Maybe his actions might be hurting the paychecks of those working for Chicago Beverage Systems, but if they are hurting his own employee’s paychecks, then wouldn’t his actions also be hurting his own cut of that pay?
Please correct me where I am wrong on this subject.