Bell’s Brewery has its origins in homebrewing and community engagement, founded by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After starting to homebrew in the early 1980s while attending Kalamazoo College, Larry opened a homebrew supply shop in 1983. With increasing demand for his beer, he began brewing commercially in a 15-gallon soup pot and launched Kalamazoo Brewing Co., which sold its first beer on September 19, 1985.