Bell's Brewery Sets Oberon Day for March 23 in Kalamazoo

Bell's Eccentric Cafe at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. will host the official 2026 Oberon Day celebration this Monday, March 23, with the General Store opening at 10 a.m. and the main party kicking off at 11 a.m. Admission is free for guests 21 and older.

The tap list this year goes well beyond the flagship. Bell's has announced eight specialty variants inspired by ballpark and summer flavors: Orange Vanilla, Mango Habanero, Strawberries & Cream, Pimm's Cup, Honey Deuce, Azalea Cocktail, Oberon Spritz, and Crackerjack. The brewery's press materials reference nine variants, though only eight have been named publicly. Alongside those, Oberon Light returns to the lineup after being named last year's top brew in the state, and this time it sticks around: following its March launch, Oberon Light will be available year-round in 6- and 12-pack cans, while the original Oberon Ale remains a seasonal release.

"Oberon Day is the unofficial start of summer and a Michigan holiday that has become a celebration not just of beer, but of community," said Chris Brimmage, Director of Bell's Brands, in a February 26 release. "This year's theme pays tribute to one of Michiganders' favorite ways to gather: sports. From baseball diamonds and hockey rinks to backyard competitions and tailgates, sports remain one of the region's most powerful connectors, and Oberon has long been part of those shared moments."

That sports theme has roots. Oberon was created by Larry Bell in 1992 because he wanted a citrusy wheat ale to drink while watching baseball. He originally called it Solsun before settling on Oberon. The beer now clocks in at 5.8% ABV and ships in the orange and light blue can with the smiling sun that Michigan drinkers recognize on sight every March.

The Kalamazoo event will include live music from local bands, crafts, food, and limited-edition merchandise. For those who can't make it to the Eccentric Cafe, the celebration ripples across the state. In Traverse City, Lil Bo at 540 W. Front St. starts a midnight countdown on the night of March 22, with swag and a surprise release. The Coin Slot at 346 E. Front St. hosts an Oberon takeover at 1 p.m. on March 23, and 7 Monks at 128 S. Union St. runs an official kickoff from 4 to 10 p.m. the same day.

Up in the Upper Peninsula, Dry Dock at 5029 US-41 in Marquette taps Oberon at 5 p.m. on March 23, and the Calumet Elks Lodge at 25701 Wedge St. runs a pint night featuring both Oberon and Oberon Light the same evening. Events in Marquette continue through March 27 at Iron Bay Restaurant on E. Washington.

Ann Arbor gets two March 23 options: The Grotto at 303 S. Ashley St. opens at 6 p.m. with pint specials and giveaways, and Bill's Beer Garden at 218 S. Ashley St. follows at 7 p.m. with special pint pricing. Circ Bar at 210 S. 1st St. runs its own launch party on March 27, offering Oberon slushies, an Oberon BBQ menu, $1 off Bell's beers, $30 Oberon Light buckets, karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m., and a prize drawing for two Good Life VIP tickets and an all-inclusive package to Electric Forest.

One fan already announced he's burning two vacation days. That tracks for a beer that, as WRKR noted, drew crowds to the Eccentric Cafe last year even through a blizzard.