Bell's back on for Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti
Bell's Brewery has announced that they have reached an agreement to be at the Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti this weekend.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
Bell's pulled out of the craft beer festival Wednesday after Larry Bell learned that the Michigan Beer Guild was planning to raise money at the festival for a craft beer political action committee.
“I don’t want to be part of it,” Bell said Thursday. “I find it distasteful that they are bringing politics into the fest. I have no idea where that money will go. I don’t want to be part of trying to raise political money from drunk or slightly intoxicated people.”
Bell and festival organizers were in contact over email and phone for the past 24 hours, and were eventually able to reach an understanding, according to Bell.
"We are in agreement," Bell said early Friday afternoon. “An agreement has been reached with Bell’s and the board of the (Michigan Beer) Guild. Bell’s staff is on its way to set up and be there.”
The Michigan Summer Beer Festival takes place at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti on Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27. Both nights of the festival are sold out.
You can read the full story on MLive.com.
Comments
Bob Krzewinski
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Like political action by the Michigan Brewers Guild was just "discovered" by Bells? Its right on the Guild's website in that "The role of the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is to monitor and assure a healthy brewing industry within the state by developing and articulating to the industry a consensus from within our membership as it relates to regulatory, legislative and governmental affairs". That doesn't exactly sound like radical action. I can only imagine if our "legislature" suddenly passed a law favoring national beer companies Bells would be out in front yelling "foul".
jns131
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.
Beer. Gotta have it. Not. Good to hear they are on for the weekend even though it looks a lot like rain today. Sad because I need to get into weedy garden. O well.
PattyinYpsi
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 1:58 p.m.
HAHAHAHAHA! Potential profits trump "principle" every time--right, Larry?
beardown
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 3:37 p.m.
He got what he wanted. The tent in the festival was empty, although there was a guy with a bullhorn yelling about the PAC to people as they entered, and they got prime real estate right at the front.
DJBudSonic
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.
Oberon and Politics - two things guaranteed to leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.
beardown
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 3:35 p.m.
The Batch 9000 was damn good. Purely a negotiated tactic to get a prime spot and to make the PAC go away. I think the festival would have been just fine minus the 10 beers that Bells brought.
JGS
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
Bravo Larry! Ethics and integrity are what make you. Politics have no place here or anywhere IMHO.
Ignatz
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 9:27 a.m.
I noticed the PAC tent was empty, when I passed it several times. I think I know the "agreement" that was reached!
garrisondyer
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 1:04 a.m.
Beer and politics go hand in hand (always have and always will). Especially with a beer in one hand and a different beer in your other hand.
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 11:51 p.m.
Sure as shootin' somewhere, somehow a lawyer is going to get brewer Bell's intention to serve intoxicated people admitted as evidence in a drunk driving or personal injury case.
A2comments
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.
PR stunt by Larry Bell. Last yr he got a refund for same reason. This yr he pulls out at the last minute.
jusayin
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 8:54 p.m.
to all who are planning to attend: Have fun and BE SAFE!
Olive
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
Sage advice, jusayin.
mstairs
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
jusayin: don't tell me what to do.
Top Cat
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 7:55 p.m.
Larry sure knows how to run the PR machine, doesn't he.
barefootdave
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 7:51 p.m.
Obviously great for MI beer scene,but I would not have missed Bells at the festival.
daywell
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.
The beer must go on!!!!
garrisondyer
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 1:04 a.m.
Well said, daywell.
Hugh Giariola
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
Good for Larry Bell for sticking to his principles.
beardown
Sat, Jul 27, 2013 : 3:44 p.m.
He principles include profit and making sure he is the top dog. He stuck to them just fine.
sayzme
Fri, Jul 26, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
LOL?