If you are anything like me, you are probably fairly happy about what transpired on February 2nd at Gobbler’s Knob in
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney Phil, the greatest meteorologist in the world, did NOT see his shadow when he emerged from his burrow to the delight of thousands of revelers and people all over the more northern parts of this great country. According to lore, if Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more week of winter. If he doesn’t, spring will come early. Thanks, Phil!
Since weather.com said we had a -4 wind chill last night, I very much welcome an early spring. Early spring means that even in the doldrums of February, I can start thinking and talking about spring beers. I figure if I get in a more spring like state of mind and imbibe spring beers while I wear shorts around my house with the heat cranked up, the snow will melt away and bright, blue sunny days are just around the corner.
Here are some beers to help get you into the spring mood. I’ll start with the brews to enjoy when snow is still melting and work my way all the way to those warm, bright days when cleaning snow drifts off of your car is just a memory.
Bocks (February and March):
Anchor Brewing Company’s Anchor Bock Beer – 5.5% ABV
Genesee Brewing Company’s Genesee Bock – 5.2% ABV
Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Solstice Lagunator Ale – 6.8% ABV
Narragansett Brewing Company’s Narragansett Bock-7% ABV
Spoetzl Brewing Company’s Shiner Bock – 4.4% ABV
Stouts (February and March):
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s Sierra Nevada Stout – 5.8% ABV
Beamish and Crawford’s Beamish Stout – 4.10% ABV
St. James’s Gate Brewery’s Guinness Draught – 4.2% ABV
The Matt Brewing Company’s Saranac Irish Stout – 5.5% ABV
Murphy Brewery’s Murphy’s Irish Stout – 4% ABV
Fruit Beers (April and May):
Magic Hat Brewing Company’s #9 – 5.10% ABV
Boston Beer Company’s Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat – 5.3% ABV
Pete’s Brewing Company’s Pete’s Wicked Strawberry Blonde – 5% ABV
Sea Dog Brewing Company’s Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale – 4.6% ABV
Great Divide Brewing Company’s Wild Raspberry Ale – 5.6% ABV
Wheat Beers (May-Summer!):
Magic Hat Brewing Company’s Circus Boy – 4.4% ABV
Harpoon Brewery’s UFO – 5.1% ABV
Goose Island Beer Company’s 312 Urban Wheat – 4,2% ABV
Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Hop Sun – 4.9% ABV
Lagunitas Brewing Company’s A little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale – 7.5% ABV
30 year old freelance writer and The Father Life‘s resident beer columnist and sports editor. He also writes about fine beverages for drinkingmadeeasy.com and Chilled Magazine. On top of that, he writes about college and professional lacrosse for insidelacrosse.com. He’s also written for Genesee Valley Parenting Magazine, the Democrat and Chronicle Newspaper and ESPN.com. “Osburn on Tap” appears monthly in THE FATHER LIFE. For questions, comments, or if you have a story idea for Chris, throw him an email cosburn@thefatherlife.com. Also, follow him on twitter http://www.twitter.com/chrisosburn