Bell's Larry's Latest 6Pk

Bell's Larry's Latest 6Pk is a kettle-soured ale dry hopped with Mosaic, Citra, and Galaxy hops, bottled at 5% ABV in a six-pack format. Released as a limited seasonal offering from Bell's Brewery, this sour ale distinguished itself by merging the bright acidity of kettle souring with a generous burst of aromatic New World hops — a technique the brewery described as an evolution of their approach to tart beers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Comstock/Kalamazoo, Michigan  |  Style: Kettle-Soured Dry-Hopped Ale  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery was founded by Larry Bell in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, growing from a small homebrew supply shop into one of the most respected independent craft breweries in the Midwest. Larry's Latest drew directly from the brewery's experience with their Oarsman Ale, specifically combining kettle-souring techniques with aromatic hop varietals. The process involved adding three strains of lactobacillus souring bacteria to the wort, which was held warm for 12 to 48 hours to reach the desired tartness before being boiled, hopped, and fermented with Bell's house ale yeast. The dry-hop addition featured Loral, Galaxy, and Citra hops layered on top of a base that already included Mosaic, El Dorado, and Galaxy during the boil — creating a layered hop profile rarely seen in kettle sours at the time of release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tropical fruit leads immediately — passionfruit and citrus zest from the Citra and Galaxy hops give way to grassy, resinous undertones. A subtle green-apple tartness sits beneath the hop-forward nose, hinting at the souring beneath.

Taste: Refreshing tartness arrives at the entry, balanced and measured rather than puckering. The mid-palate opens with grapefruit rind, lemon zest, and orange peel, while tropical fruit flavors — mango and stone fruit — build toward the peak. Light biscuity malt provides a brief structural backbone, and yeasty esters add a delicate complexity before the hops reassert themselves.

Finish: Medium-short and clean, with lingering citrus tartness and a dry, slightly grassy hop fade. The sourness resolves quickly, leaving the palate refreshed rather than fatigued.

How to Drink Larry's Latest

Larry's Latest is best served cold, between 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to let the dry-hop aromatics bloom. Its low ABV and bright acidity make it a natural session beer that rewards straightforward drinking. For cocktail-curious drinkers: a Berliner Shandy (mixed with lemonade) plays up the citrus tartness; a Beer Margarita using Larry's Latest in place of a standard lager adds genuine sour complexity; and a Michelada benefits from the beer's grapefruit and green-apple notes against the tomato-lime base.

Best For

• Warm-weather sessions on a patio or at a cookout
• Introducing hop-forward beer drinkers to the sour ale category
• Pairing with light summer meals like seafood tacos or grain bowls
• Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate limited seasonal releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Larry's Latest taste like? Larry's Latest delivers a balanced tartness up front with layered tropical and citrus fruit flavors — grapefruit, lemon zest, and mango — supported by light biscuity malt and a clean, refreshing finish.

How does Larry's Latest compare to Bell's Oarsman Ale? Bell's Oarsman Ale is a kettle-soured wheat ale with a more restrained hop profile and lighter body, while Larry's Latest builds on that same souring method but adds a significant dry-hop burst of Mosaic, Citra, and Galaxy hops for far more tropical and citrus-forward aromatics. Larry's Latest was explicitly described by the brewery as an evolution combining Oarsman's tartness with aromatic hop varietals.

Is Larry's Latest good for beginners? Yes — its 5% ABV and balanced tartness make it approachable for anyone curious about sour ales, especially those already comfortable with hop-forward beers like IPAs or pale ales.

Where is Larry's Latest made? Larry's Latest is brewed at Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan, just outside Kalamazoo. Bell's has operated in the Kalamazoo area since its founding in 1985.

What foods pair well with Larry's Latest? Ceviche and raw oysters benefit from the beer's bright acidity. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes. A fresh goat cheese salad mirrors the tartness. Lemon-herb roasted chicken complements the citrus profile. Thai green papaya salad matches the beer's balance of sour, fruity, and herbaceous flavors.

What sizes does Larry's Latest come in? Larry's Latest was available in a standard six-pack of 12 oz bottles during its limited seasonal release.

Is Larry's Latest worth the price? Larry's Latest positioned as a craft seasonal release at a standard six-pack price point, making it accessible within the broader craft sour ale category — solid value for a dry-hopped sour from a brewery with Bell's pedigree, though availability was limited.

Why Larry's Latest?

What set Larry's Latest apart from the wave of kettle sours flooding the craft market was its layered dry-hop treatment. Using three distinct lactobacillus strains and a multi-varietal hop bill featuring Mosaic, Citra, Galaxy, El Dorado, and Loral, the beer achieved a complexity that most session-strength sours simply do not reach. It served as a bridge between Bell's established sour program — built on the long-running Oarsman Ale — and the hop-forward identity the brewery is best known for. As a limited seasonal release that is no longer in production, remaining bottles represent a snapshot of Bell's willingness to push boundaries within their own catalog.