(Comstock, MI) – Bell’s Brewery Marketing Manager, Laura Bell, took part in a live chat today over at MLive.com to engage in a discussion about Bell’s and the beer scene in Michigan. There was even one news item to come from the chat. Some notes below…

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On any updates regarding selling the brewery:

At this point in time there is no new info on the shareholder situation. It is our hope and goal that Bell’s stays in the family.

On new states:

While we’d love to be able to get Bell’s to everyone and our new expansion will allow for more beer, we have not made any decisions about opening new states at this time. We take a controlled approach to growth and we don’t want to open a new state until we can provide the beer for it.

On possibility of a new brewpub or expanding out-of-state:

It is not legal in MI for us to do so and our main focus is just making great beer here in SW MI

On the canning line mentioned long ago:

No new updates on canning at this point. We’d love to at some point. The canning movement is picking up and will continue to do so. It opens up many new opportunities for breweries.

On potential to expand 750 program:

We do have a 750 program but limit it to our General Store. We don’t have a set schedule for bottling. Most of the bottles are filled on a small machine or hand filled so it is not feasible at this point to open it up to the larger markets

On potential to expand sour program:

No plans to increase brewing sour beers at this point.

On Eccentric Day:

Jaime Floyd from Ninkasi will be joining us as our guest brewer for Eccentric Day on December 7th. Info on last year’s Eccentric Day.