‘Governor’s Whitbier’: Bell’s latest brew crafted by Whitmer with Michigan-made ingredients
By Ryan Boldrey | rboldrey@mlive.com
KALAMAZOO, MI — Bell’s Brewery received a special visitor Thursday as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer worked alongside staff members to brew up her own craft brew for an upcoming tourism conference.
“Today, I rolled up my sleeves to help Bell’s brew a special ‘Governor’s Whitbier’ made from Michigan-grown hops and peaches,” Whitmer said in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 14. “Brewers like Bell’s are what makes us the Great Beer State, so let’s raise a glass to Michigan’s breweries!”
The “Pure Michigan” beer was brewed with all Michigan-made ingredients to highlight the state’s thriving agricultural industry and nationally-recognized craft beer production, Whitmer’s office said in a March 14 news release.
Whitmer joined staff at the brewery to craft the special brew for the upcoming Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The conference will take place April 9 to 11 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.
State Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson and Jane Ghosh, president and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, were also present at the event.
The event is not the first time Whitmer has shown love for Bell’s Brewery. In 2021, she proclaimed “Oberon Day” an official holiday in the state of Michigan.
In 2023, she appeared on “The Daily Show,” where she talked politics with guest host and Kalamazoo native Jordan Klepper over a cold pint, while sitting at the bar at Bell’s.
On Thursday, she sampled her own beer with Bell’s executive vice president Carrie Yunker.
Whitmer visits Bell’s
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, center, says “cheers” with Bell’s Brewery executive vice president Carrie Yunker, left, and Jane Ghosh, president and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, right, at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, March 14. Whitmer was in town to craft a special beer, Governor’s Whitbier, for an upcoming Pure Michigan tourism conference.Courtesy photo | Executive Office of the Governor
“We’re thrilled to welcome Gov. Whitmer back to Bell’s to brew her very own small-batch beer ahead of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in April,” Yunker said in a statement. “Bell’s history and success are intertwined with the city and it’s exciting to show off the best that Kalamazoo has to offer.”
For those interested, the beer will also be made available at the Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo while supplies last, Michaela Eagan, public relations manager for Bell’s and New Belgium told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.
