Image via Complex Original
Finding the perfect spring beer is a noble quest, but it doesn't have to be a difficult one. Jimmy Carbone, owner of Jimmy's No. 43 in the East Village (one of the best beer bars in the city) and host of Beer Sessions Radio, has rounded up the ideal suds for the season.
"Saisons, sours and lambics are traditionally featured during the spring, but some American breweries are changing up tradition by brewing pale ales, IPAs and blonde ales," says Carbone. "And, of course, breweries in Germany have been creating unique spring-style beers, like lent bier and refreshing kölsch, for centuries."
Spring beers now encompass a wide range of styles. Meaning, there's a spring beer out there for everyone. Even you. Here are Jimmy's picks for the best seasonal brews, in addition to the year-round options many breweries have that are always good on a warm day. These are the beers you will drink all spring long, and well into the summer. Bottoms up.
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Russian River Brewing Company Supplication
Where: Santa Rosa, CA
Type: Sour Ale
ABV: 7%
Website: russianriverbrewing.com
"Sour ales are popular during this season, but Russian River adds a little more to Supplication by aging the brown ale in Pinot Noir barrels with sour cherries. The extra effort lends a dark fruit tang along with a hint of oak to this brew."
Mother Earth Brewing Company Endless River
Where: Kinston, NC
Type: Kölsch
ABV: 4.9%
Website: motherearthbrewing.com
"Another great style for spring, this beer is what you might call 'drinkable.' Light in body and hue, the Endless River has a mildly fruity flavor with a bit of a tang on the finish. The beer is available year-round, but it's so much better when consumed in warm weather."
Funkwerks Tropic King
Where: Fort Collins, CO
Type: Imperial Saison Ale
ABV: 8%
Website: funkwerks.com
"This saison comes from a unique new brewery in Colorado that focuses on creating Belgian-inspired ales and saisons. This particular brew is accented by aggressive citrus flavors and a bit of spice from ginger and pepper."
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Calabaza Blanca
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
Type: Belgian Biere Blanche
ABV: 4.8%
Website: jollypumpkin.com
"While this beer from Jolly Pumpkin is available year-round, it's a perfect fit for spring. A wheat beer with a tart character, orange peel, and coriander spice in the brew lends a bit of citrus elements. It's refreshing and, at only 4.8 percent alcohol by volume, it's also easy to drink."
Einbecker Brauhaus Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock
Where: Einbeck, Germany
Type: Maibock
ABV: 6.5%
Website: einbeckerbrauhaus.de
"Made specifically for the month of May (hence the name of the style: maibock), this type of beer is meant to be served at spring festivals around Germany. Light in color, this beer has more more of a hop presence than its cousin, the bock—another great spring style."
Stillwater Artisanal Ales Debutante
Where: Baltimore
Type: Saison
ABV: 6.4%
Website: stillwaterales.blogspot.com
"Born from a collaboration between the Baltimore brewery and Brewer's Art, a brewpub located in Mt. Vernon, Stillwater's Debutante is made in the tradition of spring saisons. A unique combination of spices and herbs make this a floral and earthy selection perfect for consuming in warmer weather."
Green Flash Brewing Company Palate Wrecker
Where: San Diego
Type: American Double IPA
ABV: 9.5%
Website: greenflashbrew.com
"Yet another non-traditional spring brew, this bold double IPA is high in alcohol and puts an emphasis on hops. The hop bitterness is met with a malty bready-ness and warmth from the alcohol that make for a well-balanced synthesis and a great beer."
Brauerei Heller-Trum / Schlenkerla Fastenbier
Where: Bamberg, Germany
Type: Rauchbier
ABV: 5.5%
Website: schlenkerla.de
"This smoky beer is another lenten beer brewed in anticipation of warmer weather. While an oak-aged rauchbier may seem more appropriate for fall, this delicious brew from Germany can be enjoyed any time of year. It just happens to be available during lent, ie: through most of the spring."
Brouwerij De Glazen Toren Saison D'Erpe Mere Lentbier
Where: Glazentorenweg, Belgium
Type: Saison
ABV: 6.9%
Website: glazentoren.be
"Lent is always associated with spring, so what better way to celebrate the season than with a lent bier? In Belgium, lent bier is a beer released specifically for the spring season, like bock. In this case, we have a saison that features a citrus zing and a bit of a grassy essence—what's more spring than freshly grown grass?"
Brewery Ommegang Iron Throne Blonde Ale
Where: Cooperstown, NY
Type: Belgian Pale Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Website: ommegang.com
"While ostensibly a beer dedicated to the premiere of the third season of HBO's hit show Game of Thrones, the blonde ale is a great selection for spring. Light, refreshing, with hints of honey and lemon zest, this a sweet and refreshing bready brew."
Carton Brewing Company Boat Beer
Where: Atlantic Heights, NJ
Type: American Pale Ale
ABV: 4.3%
Website: cartonbrewing.com
"Another low-alcohol brew, this beer from the new brewery in New Jersey is a hoppy but drinkable option, where mild pine flavors meet a bit of citrus zest. While officially an American pale ale, this beer will remind many drinkers of a light but bold Kolsch."
Founders Brewing Co. All Day IPA
Where: Grand Rapids, MI
Type: American-Style India Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Website: foundersbrewing.com
"A low-alcohol IPA, this beer is considered sessionable, meaning you can enjoy several during a drinking session without getting knocked on your butt. The beer is made with a variety of malts and hops that result in a piney and citrusy flavor combination that make for easy drinking."
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Pale 31
Where: Buellton, CA
Type: American-Style Pale Ale
ABV: 4.8%
Website: firestonebeer.com
"Named for California, the 31st state to enter into the union, this selection from the brewery's Pale Series is a dry-hopped California-style pale ale. Flavors of sweet citrus are balanced by bready malt for a great springtime combination."
The Bronx Brewery Belgian Pale Ale
Where: New York
Type: Belgian-Style Pale Ale
ABV: 6.7%
Website: thebronxbrewery.com
"Using three types of Belgian yeast, this beer is a refreshing twist on the brewery's flagship Pale Ale. Only recently introduced to their portfolio of beers, the brew will be available year-round, but the Belgian style features a much more delicate hop finish and a mild citrus. These characteristics make it a great option for warmer weather drinking."
