Upper Hand Brewery in Escanaba, which Bell opened in 2014 in Escanaba, will also be part of the sale. View Comments Australian-based beer company Lion will purchase pioneering Michigan beer brand Bell's Brewery as owner Larry Bell looks to retire from the 36-year-old company. Larry Bell, the venerable founder of Bell's, also announced his retirement from the company. Hendersonville, NC 28792, The North Carolina Craft Brewing Industry, AI And Food Industry 6 Marvelous Ways AI Has Changed How the Industry Works. Bell's Brewery being bought by Australian company that purchased New 50). Detroit Free Press 0:00 1:02 DETROIT - Bell's Brewery is selling. Larry Bell, a homebrewer, opened his first store in Downtown Kalamazoo in 1983. In October of 2018, it was announced that New Belgium Brewing Company had purchased a minority stake in Bells Brewery. So Bellturned to his Board of Directors, which agreed that selling the company was the best option for the legacy of Bell's and its some 550 employees. "I love this state," Fechheimersaid. Bell's Brewery founder Larry Bell told the company today he's selling the Michigan-based beer makerthe 16th largest in the countryto Australian brewing conglomerate Lion Little World Beverages. Lovers of Bells Brewery are being told they can still expect the same level of community involvement and continued traditions such as Oberon Day and support for Kalamazoo Pride, which have been central to the companys vision and values from the beginning. Looking back onseveral decades in the industry, Bell said he has a lot of pride. The brewery will continue to contribute to the Kalamazoo community through the creation of its beers and contributions. The company also operates a brewery facility in Denver. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Bells Brewery is being purchased by an Australian company that bought New Belgium Brewing in 2019. He announced his retirement at the company'sannual all-employee event and said he plans to stay active in the Kalamazoo community. Though Bell is stepping down, Carrie Yunker, the brewerys vice president who has been with the company for 18 years, will continue to lead daily operations. The brand expanded to Wisconsin and Indiana in 1990. Several of Michigan's top craft beer makers have also been sold or partially sold over the past few years. "That's part of what makes this such a great coming together of two craft beer icons is that there'sa lot of similarities in the businesses and a lot ofmutual respect.". Speaking to Brewbound, Bell said he recently beat a second bout with cancer. Bells Brewery, a division of New Belgium, is being sold to Lion Distribution, a distributor of major brands such as Budweiser and Heineken. Bell's Press Release | New Belgium Brewing Celebrate St Patricks Day In Orange County With A Pint Of Green Beer. Lion also imports and distributes international brands, including Heineken, Guinness, White Claw in Australia and Corona, Budweiser, Stella Artois, Beck's and Pacifico in New Zealand. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. New Belgium Brewing Company began notifying Bell's Brewery wholesalers on Monday of plans to consolidate the portfolio with the Reyes Beer Division in several markets outside of . Ive been CEO of Bells for over 38 years. Larry Bell to Retire, Sell 'Bell's Brewery' to New Belgium Im really fortunate to have this agreement with Lion, whos going to have us join forces with New Belgium. In 2014, the trend began when Founding Brewing Company sold a 30% stake in Mahou San Miguel of Spain. As a result of his cancer diagnosis, he was given some mature adult advice about what he should do with his life. In a joint press release from both Bell's Brewery & New Belgium, they stated that Bell's decision to join New Belgium was based on the company's commitment to the future stewardship of Bell's iconic beer brands, its dedication to the ongoing successful operations of Bell's in Comstock, Mich., and Upper Hand in Escanaba, Michigan, and excitement around the opportunity to grow corporate social . Fixation, Stone, and Wood Brewing, as well as Two Birds, are among Fermentums breweries, with award-winning beers such as the Stone Arrogant Bastard and the Double Bird Pale Ale. Veterans Day:Veterans can get free food at IHOP, Denny's, Wendy's, Applebee's and more. "Our job as owners is to ensure the best future for Bells and I believe this step is an important and critical part of our journey to continue the Bells legacy long into the future," she said. Veterans Day: Veterans can get free food at IHOP, Denny's, Wendy's, Applebee's and more. Since its founding, Bell'sheld the distinction asMichigan's largest brewer by volume of beer until 2018, when it was surpassed by Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. Throughout a year marked by disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese brewing company that purchased New Belgium has benefited from the purchase, which has helped boost beverage sales for the company. "I think I can look back on a career well done, and I feel really confident that my legacy, those beers, the culture that we built will be in good hands with our friends at New Belgium.". Kirin also indicated in its year-end report that Lion was poised to anchor new investments in craft beer and hard seltzer. Bells executive vice president Carrie Yunker, who has been with the company 18 years, will continue to lead day-to-day operations for the Bells brand and John Mallett, Bells VP of operations, will also join the combined leadership team. Bell's Brewery Sold to Lion, Joins Forces with New Belgium The transaction, which Bell's Brewing frames as a partnership with New Belgium, marks a complete exit for Bell, who founded the company in 1985, and daughter Laura Bell, who formerly served as CEO and is the brewery's only other shareholder. It's also had the flexibility to take care of its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Carrie Yunker, Bells executive vice president, will continue to lead day-to-day operations for the companys brand. 8 Cider producers in Somerset you should know about Employee-owned for seven years, New Belgiumsold toLion in 2019. New Belgium produced 975,000 barrels of beer in 2020, according to the Boulder-based Brewers Association, operating from breweries in Fort Collins; Asheville, North Carolina; Denver; and San Francisco. Bell's daughter, Laura Bell, a shareholder and board member of the company, expressed her excitement and support in a media alert about the acquisition. Bell's also includes Upper Hand Brewery in the Upper Peninsula. New Belgium was founded in 1991 byKim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch in Fort Collins, Colo., and expanded to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016, Denver in 2018 and San Francisco in 2020. Bell's Brewery announced Nov. 10, 2021, that the company, founded in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is being sold to Australian beverage company Lion. With a Crains Chicago Subscription you get exclusive access, insights and experiences to help you succeed in business. Lion is the same company that purchased Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Co. in 2019, which Bells will join with after the sale. Bell's Brewery's, which distributes to 43 states and was listed as the seventh largest U.S. craft brewing company earlier this year, has 550 employees who will become New Belgium. Founder Larry Bell will retire. The companys flagship beer is the Kalamazoo Stout, a 7% ABV dry stout. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Bell's Brewery is deeply rooted in homebrewing, our community, and sharing our craft with beer lovers old and new. Larry Bell is retiring as part of the transition, and this new ownership will lead to a new era at the Kalamazoo brewery. This decision ultimately came down to two determining factors, he said. COMSTOCK, Mich. (Nov. 10, 2021) -- Today, Bell's Brewery founder, Larry Bell announced that he has reached an agreement with Lion, an Australian based brewer, for the sale of Bell's. Lion acquired Colorado's New Belgium Brewing in 2019. As a shareholder and board member, I am excited to support the sale of Bells to Lion and to join forces with New Belgium, Laura Bell, Larrys Bells daughter and the companys former CEO, said in a press release. Bell's Brewery to sell, be operated by New Belgium - Chicago Tribune COMSTOCK Bell's Brewery has been sold to Australian brewer Lion, which owns Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing. Two craft beer pioneers are joining forces in a blockbuster deal. The Lion team was really clear that part of the relationship with New Belgium was about building out a larger platform in the U.S., New Belgium CEO Steve Fechheimer told Brewbound. From its inception in 1802, Lion has built a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, community involvement, and sustainability. Lion. The Michigan-based craft brewing company is being sold to Lion, which is New Belgium Brewing's parent company. With Bells, Lion adds one of the first craft breweries, a workforce of 550 and around 500,000 barrels of capacity in the Midwest. Founder Larry Bell told the company today at an all-employee meeting that he was selling the popular Kalamazoo-based brewery the 16th largest in the country to Australian brewing conglomerate Lion Little World Beverages, which also owns Fort Collins, Colo.-based New Belgium Brewing Co. On October 6, Kirin Holdings Ltd. (headquartered in Japan) announced the $368 million (U.S.) acquisition of Australias Fermentum Holdings Ltd., giving the largest craft brewer in the world a presence in three more countries: the United States, Canada, and Furthermore, with Fermentum, the company is now able to enter craft beer markets in each of those three countries, expanding its global footprint. (Photo provided by Bell's Brewery). A beverage company based in Australia, Lion is expanding its international reach. the 16th-largest overall brewer in America by sales volume in 2020. Both New Belgium and Bells Brewery are production powerhouses. Founder Larry Bell told the company today at an all-employee meeting that he was selling the popular Kalamazoo, Mich.-based brewerythe 16th largest in the countryto Australian brewing conglomerate Lion Little World Beverages, which also owns Fort Collins, Colo.-based New Belgium Brewing Co. Related: Bells Brewery, Founders lead the way in Michigans craft beer boom. Staying current is easy with Crain's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Bell's Brewery Acquired by Kirin-Owned Lion Little World Beverages The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He announced his retirement at an employee event this week. Bell's Brewery. And for me that time is now, Bell said. "I've been CEO of the company for 38 years. Fat Tire Amber Ale, their flagship beer, is well-known. Exploring The Different Types Of Fermentation Used To Create Beer, How Many Carbs Are In Busch Ice Beer? Bells Brewery is committed to assisting new homebrewers in continuing this tradition by welcoming them into the community. Itsbeer can be found in all 50 states; it's best known for its Fat Tire amber ale and Voodoo Ranger IPA. Exploring The Factors That Determine Beer Shelf-Life, Navigating Tax Deductions For Beer And Wine Purchases For Nonprofit Organizations, Aged To Perfection: Uncovering The Secrets Of Yuengling Americas Oldest Brewing Tradition, Discover The Unique Flavor Of Sarsaparilla Beer: An Exploration Of Its Taste And History, Know Your Beer: An Overview Of Calories In Different Types Of Beer. This isn't the first time a well-known Michigan craft beermaker has been sold to a larger company. Brian Manzullo writes about . We are a leading beverage company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. First, the folks at New Belgium share our ironclad commitment to the craft of brewing and the community-first way weve built our business, he said. Lion recently purchased Fort Collins, Colorado-based, New Belgium Brewing Co. in 2019. "We went through almost the exact same process and, in a lot of ways, came to the same conclusions as Larry did as Lion is a brewer's brewer that really focused on making great beer and really focused on their communities in Australia, as well," said New Belgium's Fechheimer. Independence Taps owner has decided to retire after selling the bar and building. Ive been doing this for more than 36 years and recently battled some serious health issues. As a result, Michigans largest and oldest independent craft brewer is about to undergo a leadership change. Lion is owned by publicly traded Tokyo-based Kirin Holdings Company Limited, which itself is a part of the larger Mitsubishi Group. Bells was a significant player in the local beer scene, and its closure will leave a significant hole in it. But just because Lion is involved with major corporate brands doesnt mean anything should be expected to change at the local level. As part of the merger, Bells plans to expand on environmental sustainability and workplace inclusivity initiatives. With two breweries in Michigan, Bells produced 466,539 barrels in 2020, making it the sixth largest independently owned manufacturer in 2020, the BA reported.

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