A most excellent drinking spot, and a destination if you’re in the area, of course. New beer for me was the Sweet Potato Stout, along with a nice aged keg of Batch 7000 (on tap Dec 22). You know you’re coming here so why even read my review? Instead just look at my photographs from my visit to get a sense of what this place is like: http://flickr.com/photos/michaeljames/2152430911/

Large place, tons of interesting beers on, with a 6 beer sampler for 12 bucks (yum, Hopslam!). Food was OK. Live music was a big plus. Efficient staff. Worth a look.

Again a Michigan brewpub located in a very ugly, semi-industrial neighborhood where laods of traffic pass by (I wonder where they can be headed). Nevertheless, entering inside, you forget about the traffic, the brick and stylish arts make it appealing enough, though the very high ceilings removed any sens of coziness. I was surprised, but I would not want to spend a whole evening here... and I love Bells. The menu was certainly interesting enough. They even changed a keg while I was there, putting Double Oberon on, a nice bonus. Also could score some bourbon cherry stout at the adjacent shop (I’ve not seen it elsewhere). The prices are okays, but perhaps not as cheap as I’d anticipated (5$ pint, 4$ glass). I’d not necessarily stop by again unless I knew they had expedition or a particularly impressive seasonal on. I’d call ahead to know what’s on.

(Visited 02/2012): Bell’s Eccentric Café is located on the East side of downtown Kalamazoo, coincidentally on East Kalamazoo Ave. There is a private lot to the side of the building, and more parking at the store. The interior has two individual sides. The left side is the brewpub and features a bar along the right and a walk-up window for placing food orders. A chalkboard behind the bar lists the available beers. The other side is where they showcase music. Lots of wood and breweriana adorn the brewpub side and that is where we spent our evening. There are around 20 Bells beers on draught at the Café, including several one-offs and rarities. On my visit these included 2 of the Experimental Series, Mead, Dagger Stout, Wild One, Raspberry Wild One and Golden Rye. The store had some goodies as well, like Black Note and Harvest Ale. There is no table service at the brewpub, but the bartenders were friendly if harried. Food at Bells consists primarily of sandwiches and finger food. My sandwich was not bad. Overall this spot should be on every beer lover’s must-visit list.

An ordinary town, although some eccentric names of stores. A retail store with many of the regular classics. The bar itself is fine as long as you get here before 4 pm, when people must line up to get beer. A great patio, but you carry beer, in big plastic cups over. A good selection of beers on tap, although I was not crazy about the carbonation, which was Enoz salty. Some of the classics, I think, are better in the bottle. Pretty friendly though. Bartendress went through some training. I would like more details about the beers in the literature available to us. I was expecting more.

This place is gorgeous. It’s in a large building which resembles a church on the inside with cathedral ceilings and stained glass. There is a cozy upstairs and an outside garden area as well. The selection is terrific. The expected Bells beers are available along with at least 6 rare offerings. I ate some soft pretzels with one of the best mustards and some kind of parmesan dip. Very delicious snack. The music was hip and suited the atmosphere perfectly. A general store is also here with beer to go and tons of cool swag and homebrew supplies. I loved my visit here, I consider it a must stop.

Stopped by on a Monday afternoon. I like the ambience. Big, tall, industrial feeling with an odd assortment of decorations... keeping with the theme I guess. Any place with a picture of President Kennedy on the wall is OK by me. 10 beers or so on tap. I had the mead, the only one I hadn’t had, which was decent. I didn’t try the food. Service was ample, and they did give me a smaller sample than advertised, which was nice as it was 10%. Prices seemed decent. Construction is going on in the back, as the tap room expands. Merchandise and homebrew shop in the front. The people were nice there too, if not too helpful, and prices were OK. Overall a nice stop.

Stopped here many times on my way to or from fishing in Michigan. Easy to find with parking in the back. Bar in the midde against wall with food ordering directly next to bar. Beer garden in the back with picnic tables. Great beer selection with many beers being tested. Package store in the parking lot for to-go six packs. Good bar food. Good regular stopping location for Michigan.

An original place. Not very large is square meters but with very high cellings. Bricks and wood this place feels authentic old pub. Food menu is very limited. I had a California Ruben and it was good but really the menu there is more snacks than full meals. If you require a full meal and craftbeer go to the Olde Peninsula brewpub less than five minutes walk away. Eclectic crowd of all ages. Some your people playing chess, some old folks talking about the good old days, and so on… Surprisingly appropriate western/country music with a banjo sound that felt just right with the place, Also some more standard soft rock. When I was there they had about 12 beers on tap. Of the 12 only two were not bottled. Many of the regulars were there (Hopslam, Tow Hearted, etc.) and the two brewpub-only beers, the very good Wild One and the interesting Poolside Raspberry Wheat.

Holy shit! This was easily in the top three best breweries/tasting rooms that I’ve ever visited. Twenty beers including Black Note and tons of other stouts and stuff not seen in bottles. I had a Chicken Curry Wrap which was spectacular. I could have spent all weekend here. A+ atmosphere, A+ selection, A+ beers. I wish I lived next door!