Tomorrow is officially Oberon day in Michgan-Although I live in Ohio, Michigan is a close neighbor to where i reside- I don't officially recognize Spring until I see Oberon in the marketplace--What specific beer signals the advent of Spring and warmer weather in your area? ( Of course I acknowledge Bock beer as a Springtime beer, just interested in others you might anticipate)
For me, it’s when the local microbreweries start releasing Maibocks. Not just bocks, Maibocks. It’s a sure-fire sign the weather’s actually warming up.
I always have associated hefeweizen with spring; something about the changing weather and the refreshing nature of the style. I enjoy it in summer too but spring for some reason has always screamed hefe.
To me, Oberon is a summer beer. Per tradition, since about 2002, I get at least one six-pack to enjoy while grilling. I know they release it early, but I often question the strategy as I always see the same stacks dwindling slowly until September. Spring has always been Bock season for me since I started hunting the elusive Rhinelander Bock (in cans, as I think back) back around 1982.
Now that it's apparently 100F in winter here in SoCal, weather is quite divorced from season; In any case, I always think of "Boskeun," De Dolle's marvelous Easter beer once the vernal equinox is upon us.
What are your thoughts about Belgian Wit or Kolsch? I am thinking that a sixpack of Von Trapp Kolsch is in my near future. Cheers!
Funny I was going to add Kolsch as well, and because of these warm few days we've had I looked for their Kolsch but sadly it was past expiration date. I enjoy wit as well but I enjoy hefe more for some reason. Did you try their other new spring beer? I saw it locally but did not purchase, however I am still curious about it, the added spices seemed like they would lend well to spring warmth.
Did you try their other new spring beer? I saw it locally but did not purchase, however I am still curious about it, the added spices seemed like they would lend well to spring warmth.[/QUOTE] So often here in south jersey, von trapp, great lakes, even victory beers come into our local stores already out of date.
Nah, visited the Fort Point location a couple weeks back to get some beers but didn't get that one. It does seem interesting, I don't mind passing it up though. Before the pandemic they sold individual cans so you could buy singles and try more, now with limited space and having to travel back from the city, a backpack full of bottles and a bag with a 4pk of cans and some space for another limited release from the nearby store was more than enough to carry back.
I was just thinking that with seasonal creep and early releases, and the way the question is worded, by the time it is actually Spring (now), the summer beers are ready to release. Most of the spring beers came out already, probably when there was 2ft of snow. Also, I wish there were more bocks around here other than year-round Shiner and doppelbocks.
Even though I have little interest in most of these variants (and in fighting the crowds that will be lined up for them), what’s not to love about Oberon Day? This screams SPRING, even if it’s cold and snowing out!
