Best Four Seasons Beer

All season. Hmmmm. Ommegang Rare VOS I think

 

Any German beer, light to dark, light to heavy, works any time of the year for me. They are so balanced that they're refreshing enough in summer but full-flavored enough for winter. Helles would be my main pick, but a Dunkel or Schwarzbier might be a better choice since they've got a little more heft for those colder times.

Belgian styles are another that work very well year-round. Tripel, lambic, or saison are my choices here as they are all strong enough (ABV and flavor) to be good for fall and winter but bright and spritzy enough to hit the spot when the heat comes around.

Lighter English styles like mild (and dark mild), bitter, and IPA all work for the same reasons with the yeast and malts imparting enough character to fortify you on a chilly evening, but they are light enough in ABV to be refreshing in the dead of summer.

Finally, I think the classic West Coast pale ale (like Sierra Nevada) is the major American style that fits the bill. APAs have tons of character at relatively low ABV, and the older ones had enough malt heft to keep you warm and cozy, yet their light, citrus character and dryness lends them very well to summer crushers as well.

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

 

So, Frankie Valli didn't start a brewery? Phew... that was close.

Well, he was a Newark boy, so maybe...

(But his singing always hurt my ears. Of course, given typical high frequency hearing loss maybe I can't even hear him at all anymore ).

 

Hard to beat that one. If Anchor Steam was always in town, that would be another.

 

SNPA

 

A well made Pilsner or Helles and I'm very open as to the brand.

 

a proper porter gets my vote. My localest option is eel river and is plenty solid but any thing that is light but roasty and sits around 5% should work. Also happy with SNPA or Anchor Steam. But I'll also drink a big stout in the summer and a IPA in the snow and just about any other beer I feel like whenever the mood strikes

 

I am just going to pile on the SNPA train.

Endlessly drinkable

 

La Fin Du Monde

 

Moose Drool Brown for me

 

Big stouts, barleywines, wee-heavies, quads, porters - all year. Maybe it's because I live in San Diego, but my taste buds don't change beers based on the seasons. I don't think my opinion would change if I was living somewhere else.

I recognize that there are beer seasons and I stock up during stout season to drink them all year

If I had to choose one go-to beer, it would probably be FIS or High West-ified (no longer available, but I stocked up!).

 

Localized it for me!

Summit EPA and/or one of the various German-inspired beers from Schell's, Summit, or Utepils are nearly always in my refrigerator.

 

I could drink a Weihenstephaner Heffeweissbier anywhere, any time. Hot, cold, day night, give me that perfect juice. Another good one would be Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Meaty enough for winter. Light & fresh enough for summer.

 

To be fair you all only have one season so you really just need to pick your favorite beer

 

Alpenflo or Pivo Pils.

 

Same here. Three days ago it was 76 degrees and today it has been snowing. There is no beer more serviceable to my taste for all of the fickle weather, whatever time of year.

 

Agreed! I'm from the Midwest, though. Only been in SD for a handful of years and I did not have different beers per season then other than Marzens in Sept/Oct since that's the main time those are coming out. I have a large stout collection and, if I moved back, would continue to drink them all year round.

 

I think this is Boston Lager's niche.

I wholeheartedly agree with Alpenflo. Super drinkable, but with enough body to work through colder months. A sensational all around beer.

 

Gueuze...If I could afford it

 

I hear ya. There's a large variety of Hanssens beers in Casper but the prices make them an occasional option only.

 

I think a grisette would do just about any time of year with just about any meal of the day. Now if only I could find some...

 

This is a new style to me but in the last year two locals have put out versions of it. Super nice all the time beer, would definitely love to see more of it

 

I like a Rochefort 10 any time any where.

 

Has to be something balanced and not too big/heavy. I'd go with Fuller's ESB, Pilsner Urquel or maybe Brooklyn Lager

 

Orval. Any season, any month, any week, any day, any hour, any minute, any second.

 

I am also a big fan of the style but alas, you have to look around in New England as well to find any. I am assuming that is because grisettes don't sell well?

 

Very Green by Tree House is the beer I wish I could drink to my contentment every day of the year, but House Lager by Jack's Abby is the year round staple in my fridge.

 

I pretty much can drink any style any time of the year and enjoy a well made one. Hmmm well I guess count me out as I won't be "that guy" bringing a teku glass and a corked and caged BA 14% pastry stout to the beach holding it up to the sun to look at the appearance (can you imagine anything mour douchey than that image...has anyone witness anything like this?) I'll stick with a Corona with a lime, or DFH Seaquench, or a Pils Urquell etc.

 

I need to give Orval another try. I've had 2-3 times, but always seems to be too bretty dry and lacking in flavor. Missing some of the fruit/sweet Belgian yeast balance I prefer. Maybe its just me.

 

I don't know much about brewing, but it seems to me that this might be a rather costly style to brew (although it is open to some interpretation). Thoughts?

@zid
@JackHorzempa

 

There is no reason for a Grisette to be costly to produce. They are fairly simple both from an ingredient and brewing process perspective.

A brewery local to me of Sly Fox produces a spring seasonal of Sly Fox Grisette (it is available now). I can purchase a 6-pack of 12 ounce cans for less than 10 bucks.

Cheers!

 

I'll play...

Another La Fin du Monde vote here... if I could find it locally my fridge would be mostly it with a few stragglers...

 

Orval!

 

I'd have to say a rauchbier, if only because those Scherlenka canned offerings have been so incredibly tasty! Could I do a few 7% IPAs in 90 degree heat? Sure, probably, but wouldn't a flavorful smoked 4% lager go perfectly with an afternoon of grilling out? And for a winter sipper, too? Or to contemplate the changing of the seasons?

 

Vitus

 

Find a nice Pils, it’s always appropriate. If you can’t find anything fresh a simple crisp aal works too.

 

I think Belgians or German brews kind of fit the bill for year round beers

 

Personally I really enjoyed the Breakaway Rise DIPA that came out. Had it on warmer days and cold days and enjoyed it quite a bit.