Seasonal beers give craft brewers a good excuse to stretch
their legs and create something different from their flagship brews. And while
there are a few established spring beer styles, – like maibock, a type of
strong German lager, or bière de mars, a light Belgian-style ale – many brewers
just use this time of year as an excuse to play with medium and light bodied
styles.
Here are seven great beers to help you celebrate spring and
the events that come with it:
Anchor Saison Spring Ale, Anchor Brewing Company (7% abv)
A new beer for Anchor and only available in California, this
Belgian-style saison was brewed with traditional wheat malt and Belgian yeast,
but Anchor added lemongrass, lemon peel, and ginger to crank up the tangy
crispness and herbal spiciness. A definite qualifier as the official beer for
this year’s Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race.
Spring Reign, Ninkasi Brewing Company (6% abv)
Ninkasi calls this one their interpretation of a Northwest
Pale. It has a light toasted malt flavor similar to a British Pale, but the
hops are bright and very Northwest. This year’s recipe has a bit more alcohol
and higher IBUs because, Ninkasi!
California Spring Beer, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery (5.2%)
This grassy and citrusy wheat beer uses a blended
fermentation of Belgian and American yeast strains. The beer is also dry hopped
with Calypso and Zythos hops. This combination makes for a light, bright and
floral session beer. The wheat gives the beer both body and tartness, while the
hops add a juicy orange and grapefruit bite.
Saison de Lente, The Bruery (6.5% abv)
The Bruery’s seasonal spring release is a blonde saison with
a dose of Brettanomyces thrown in to balance the bright floral hop notes with
some earthy funkiness.
Fresh Squeezed IPA, Deschutes Brewery (6% abv)
Many beer drinkers who don’t care for IPAs enjoy this one.
While there’s no juice in this beer, the Citra and Mosaic hop profile is so
citrusy that you might think there is. Now available year-round.
Aprihop, Dogfish Head Brewery (7% abv)
This American IPA is a spring seasonal, brewed with Pilsner
and Crystal malts and fresh apricots added during fermentation. Dogfish Head
then dry hops with lots of Amarillo. There’s no residual sweetness from the
fruit, just a pleasant background aroma.
Agave Maria Ale, The Lost Abbey (13.5 abv)
A new spring seasonal from The Lost Abbey, Agave Maria is a
strong ale brewed with agave nectar, and then aged in both Anejo and Reposado
tequila barrels for 10 months. Agave Maria has hints of black pepper, sugar,
silky oatmeal, and oak with an earthy, bitter smoked chocolate finish. The
perfect beer for this Easter’s Hunky Jesus Contest, which by the way has been
moved to Golden Gate Park this year since Dolores Park is being renovated.
Read more at
http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/seven-great-beers-pair-baseball-season#Oa2wsrLX6JcERC3j.99
