Bell’s to establish brewing scholarship next year

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John Mallett. Courtesy Bell's Brewery

Bell’s Brewery is creating a scholarship program for aspiring brewers named for a longtime employee.

The Comstock-based brewery said Wednesday, Dec. 1, it will debut the John Mallett Scholarship in 2022 to help brewers get their start, in honor of John Mallett, the company’s vice president of operations, who will be celebrating 20 years at Bell’s next year.

The John Mallett Scholarship will go to an individual looking to further their study through one of the courses offered by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.

The new scholarship is one of the ways Bell’s celebrated Mallett’s first day at the brewery 20 years ago. A special, limited-edition beer also was unveiled recently.

Bell’s Malletizer is an IPA brewed with Buddha’s Hand puree and special malt from Briess Malting in Chilton, Wisconsin, a longtime partner of Bell’s. The malt used for the brew was from the very last kiln run at the maltster’s Chilton malthouse this past summer. Mallett was invited to be onsite for that last run, 120 years in the making.

“I was very surprised by the sheer generosity and time that my fellow co-workers put into celebrating this milestone,” Mallett said. “To be able to help educate future brewers is just something that is beyond words. It’s really very special.

Bell’s Brewery will fund the scholarship for the first three years, covering registration and travel costs. Founder and President Larry Bell will donate $125,000 to the fund at the close of the sale of Bell’s to New Belgium Brewing Co. to permanently endow the scholarship.

“John has made incredible contributions to Bell’s, to what Two Hearted is today, and to the industry,” Larry Bell said. “Mallett has influenced so many; if there are others who want to contribute to this cause, they are certainly welcome as well.”

Mallett was recognized earlier this year by the Brewers Association. The trade group’s Recognition Award is awarded annually “to an individual or company whose inspiration, enthusiasm and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement.”

The first scholarship will be awarded in 2022. Additional details will be announced by the Master Brewers Association as they become available.

Bottles of Malletizer (6% ABV) are available exclusively at the Bell’s General Store in downtown Kalamazoo while supplies last.

Dry-hopped with Motueka hops, Malletizer offers “amazing notes of fresh citrus zest and lime,” Bell’s said.

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