Top 5 Spring Brews
Spring has sprung, the birds are starting to chirp again, and we may not be ready for suns out, guns out yet, but we are all ready for more light, refreshing brews! As usual, we have our staff picks for you to consider, and we would love to hear which of your favorite spring brews you feel should make the list next time around!
5. Oberon - Bells Brewery
Its almost impossible to create a best beer list of any kind and omit the infamous Oberon. The iconic yellow and orange sun in the bright blue sky is basically a herald of Spring for craft beer lovers everywhere. This citrusy wheat had been the pinnacle of refreshment for many years. Its golden-orange hue feels like it quenches your thirst without ever even having to take a sip. A spicy hop profile, fruity esters, and a smooth malty finish makes this the go-to brew for the bonfire, the beach, or the barbeque all spring and through summer.
4. Rubaeus - Founders Brewing
Nothing gets us ready for warm weather like the crystal clear ruby red perfection of Founders Rubaeus. Opening the bottle unleashes the immediate scent of sweet raspberry jam. Upon pouring, you get a creamy white head that dissipates quickly, and youre left with this glowing red elixir of pure refreshment. It may catch some flack for being too sweet, but dont listen to those naysayers. Life is short, and sometimes you want something crisp and sweet while youre lounging by the pool.
3. Otra Vez - Sierra Nevada
This gose-style ale is one we tried last summer out of pure curiosity. First, the name caught our eye: otra vez, in English, again. A simple name, but when you think about it, it is a little bold. Youd have to make one tasty brew in the hope that it is what folks would be saying after having one: again!. Well, they nailed it. Otra Vez may be one of the most refreshing brews weve ever experienced. Sure, its a sour, but not lip puckering sour. They used local ingredients, including grapefruit and prickly pear (cactus fruit for you non desert-dwelling folk). While cactus may seem like a strange addition, it makes for the type of brew you would be searching for if perhaps you were wandering a desert in search for a cold one. Regardless of the weather, this one is going to be a hard beer to put down.
2. Swing Session Saison - Victory
Victory has been seriously impressing us lately. Their brews are are intricate and the variety is refreshing. We have to say, were a little tired of the IPAs (and we catch a lot of flack for it). So when we noticed this beautiful bottle, we had to give it a try. This brew pours golden and hazy, and immediately makes you feel like lazing about for the rest of the day with a six-pack. The taste is bright and fruity, with an easy going hop bitterness to round it out. Pleasant and citrusy lemon notes intermingle with spicy peppercorns, leaving you with a little zing on the palate that leaves you craving more.
1.Fresh Squeezed IPA - Deschutes
See! Were not total curmudgeons when it comes to IPAs! We loved this golden amber IPA instantly, and further investigation proved its actually very highly rated as well. The only beer to make the list without a fruit addition, this juicy IPA has enough of a citrus profile from the Citra and Mosaic hops that it truly didnt even need any fruit to quench our thirst. The hop profile is all peaches and tangerines, without any of the sweetness, and low on the bitterness. A very well-rounded, easy drinking IPA, perhaps even for the folks who are a little sick of IPAs, but are still searching for a refreshing, hoppy brew.
There you have it folks! We hope you enjoy all of these refreshing brews that are sure to quell even the most serious case of spring fever