If you’re looking for a beercation this fall season, the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan is a worthy destination. With XXX breweries and best known for Bell’s Brewery, the aforementioned brewery will once again host its annual Eccentric Day for its 32nd year.
The 2023 edition of Eccentric Day will take place on Saturday, December 1st at the brewery’s Eccentric Café that’s located in downtown Kalamazoo. The all-day celebration will showcase five new collaboration beers featuring local and regional breweries, live music, a costume contest, and plenty of food and drinks.
Originating as the coworker holiday party over three decades ago, Eccentric Day has evolved into what is now a highly anticipated event in Southwest Michigan each year. Past Eccentric Days have featured breweries from across the U.S., even a couple from Oregon that includes Ecliptic Brewing and Gigantic Brewing.
“At its core, Eccentric Day has always been about celebrating with each other, with our community, and enjoying all that makes the craft beer community truly extraordinary,” said Carrie Yunker, Executive Vice President of Bell’s Brewery. “As we discussed plans for this year’s event, collectively, we recognized an opportunity to bring Eccentric Day back to its’ roots while at the same time bringing a renewed sense of energy to the celebration and all that it’s meant to be.”
Featuring a long history of annual Eccentric Ale releases, specialty brews are a hallmark of the event. “Guest brewers have always been an integral part of Eccentric Day, but with five collaborating breweries this year, we’re doubling down and ensuring that the beer is the star of the show,” said Bell’s Brewmaster, Andy Farrell.
This is quite evident as Farrell and his team have reached out to its brewery friends. Collaborating breweries include heavyweights such as 3 Floyds Brewing, Upper Hand Brewery, Brewery Vivant alongside Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits, One Well Brewing, and Wax Wings Brewing Co, Eccentric Day will mark the release of five beers on draft, with two available in package.
Eccentric Day Collaboration Beers:
- 3 Floyds Brewing’s Ale – 7.0%, available on draft and in 6-pk 12oz bottles at Bell’s General Store
- Brewery Vivant & Broad Leaf’s Pineapple Kiwi Saison– 5% ABV, available on draft
- One Well Brewing’s Blueberry Thai Basil Porter– 6.66% ABV, available on draft
- Wax Wings Brewing Co.’s New England Double IPA– 10% ABV, available on draft
- Upper Hand Brewery’s Barrel Aged Sour– 12.7% ABV, available on draft and in 750ml bottles at Bell’s General Store
“Inviting these incredibly talented brewers in to collaborate on recipes, share a brew day together, and ultimately create something that our communities love is one of the greatest parts of Eccentric Day every year,” said Farrell. “Being able to do that with these partners from our regional brewing community this year is incredibly exciting for us all.”
In addition to partnering with the guest breweries on collaboration beers, Bell’s is furthering support within the community by donating $15,000 towards community-based nonprofit organizations. The donation will be a combination of supporting nonprofit organizations of the guest breweries’ choice, as well as a $5000 donation to Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo to provide winter apparel for children in need.
“Eccentric Day has grown each year as a direct result of support from our local community,” said Carrie Yunker. “It’s always been important to us to give back to the community, so expanding that support to organizations of our collaborating breweries’ choosing only made sense. We’re looking forward to working together to select organizations doing impactful and important work in our communities.”
Eccentric Day attendees must be 21 or older and must have a valid ID to enter. Admission is free. Attendees are invited to come in costume, as Bell’s will be hosting a costume contest on site, offering prizes such as a behind the scenes tour of Bell’s Comstock facility, alongside a beer paired dinner by Bell’s Executive Chef Kristofer McDonough. The event will also feature live entertainment by returning act Andrew Rathbun Jazz Band, Run 4 Cover, and Kalamazoo DJ.
For more information on Eccentric Day and Bell’s Brewery, visit bellsbeer.com and follow the brewery on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.