A lesson in beer: spring beers

Spring has sprung both temporally and meteorologically, but where does that leave you in relation to the world of beer? What should you be drinking in this most temperamental of seasons? Unfortunately the answer is not simple. While fall can lay claim to Oktoberfest, winter to stout, and summer to wheat beers and pale adjunct lagers (lawnmower beer), spring is not strongly associated with one particular style. However, this lack of dogmatic impetus lends a freedom to beer drinking in the spring, and the fluctuating weather provides the opportunity to drink a wide range of styles.

The literal approach: the beers of March

Marzen (March in German) is an amber colored, medium strength, malty lager. Traditionally brewed at the end of the brewing season (in March) and consumed in the fall at Oktoberfest, consumption of Marzen is not historically tied to the spring, and you will be hard pressed to find a fresh bottle. However, you will be able to find Vienna style lagers, the slightly lighter and crisper older brother of Marzenbier: They're great for a cool spring evening and the perfect compliment to the first burgers of grilling season. My pick is Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Elliot Ness.

Biere de Mars (March Beer in French) is related to Marzenbier etymologically, and it is a variation of the French Biere de Garde. While it is hard to pin down exactly what Biere de Mars means stylistically, Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines suggest that the beer of March was traditionally brewed for more immediate consumption than standard Biere de Garde (meaning beer which has been kept) which was brewed to cellar until the warmer summer months. Whatever the case may be, it just so happens that Jolly Pumpkin makes a Bier de Mars with enough strength to get you through even the most dreary of spring days.

The cold night approach:

Lets face it; spring nights in Ann Arbor are often frigid. On these nights I reach for substantial beers, beers to keep me warm and lull me to sleep.

American style Barleywine is a style that suits the cold spring nights. Hopped to higher levels than English style Barleywine, this king of the pale ale family provides substance and alcohol but enough hop kick to give you hope of warmer days. My favorite and the archetype of the style is Sierra Nevada Bigfoot. A substantial malt base supports high levels of bitterness. Drink a few this spring and save the rest for next year. For a local and more extreme option, try the style-bending 13.6 percent ABV Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA (labeled a Double IPA but with enough malt structure to toe the line between Barleywine and Double IPA).

The sunny day approach:

While it may get cold at night, it is often sunny enough to warrant a drink on the porch or outside at the bar. For these occasions, I reach for a beer that is l refreshing but with enough substance to withstand a cold gust of wind or quick turn in the weather.

Short's Soft Parade fits that bill, offering the refreshment of a fruit beer but at a hardier strength. For an easier going local fruit beer try Dark Horse Raspberry Ale.

Sam Adams Imperial White or Plank Heller Weizenbock are nice options if you just can't wait to crack open a wheat beer and offer the cold weather protection of a fuller body and higher strength.

Ryan Sloan is an employee at Morgan and York, musician and beer writer. He maintains a personal blog and can be reached at rysloan4@gmail.