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Time to welcome back spring beers, if spring ever arrives

Spring is here!

Okay, perhaps that’s an overstatement this year, but despite what it feels like outside right now, spring did arrive more than a month ago and along with it, the newest local spring beer releases.

Spring beers can mean many things to many beer lovers.  For many, spring beers are the lighter, crispier beers you think about drinking after a long bike ride or a mowing the lawn.  A heavy coffee stout is great on a cold winter day, but as the temps rise and we get the old bodies moving again, the beer should fit the day.  Bring on the spring brew.

What do you think of when you think of the perfect beer for spring?

We put that question to a few of our regions best local brewers. We also wanted to know which of their beers they consider “spring” and what are some of their favorites?

Rob Abell | Ferguson Brewing Company

“A spring beer to me should be something light bodied, low gravity, and approachable. It may or may not have fruit in it, but it should rarely be something full-bodied.”

“I would say our spring beers include our Pilsner and Hefeweizen and both are on our year-round lineup. I have also released two seasonals which I would consider spring beers. Both our Honey Mild and our 1021 Mixed Melon Blonde Ale are great for sitting outside in spring weather.”

“My favorite would have to be Pinner by Oskar Blues. very light bodied, refreshing, and low gravity. Perfect for a warm day of sitting on the porch and relaxing.”

Abbey Spencer  | Third wheel BREWING COMPANY

“I think a spring beer is defined by the beer drinker. It’s that beer that you are drawn to once the weather starts warming and the sun starts shining. It’s a beer that you want to drink while enjoying the outdoors after being cooped up for months of grey cold.”

‘I typically am drawn toward Pilsners in the springtime. They are light, but hoppy, and the newer trend of over-hopping or using American hops is perfect for the warm weather. Hidden Pool Pilsner is a great example. Its a 6.4% Pilsner, so it’s a little bigger than a typical Pils, but its hopped a bit more than the traditional style and has a dry hopped addition.”Ophelia’s Wit is a great spring beer as well. Ophelia’s is a traditional Belgian witbier with a great sweet orange flavor that is reminiscent of the new bright, spring weather and has a pop of rosemary on the nose. Perfect for getting out there an getting your garden going.”There are so many beers I look forward to in the spring, but one that comes to mind immediately is 4 Hands Contact High. Its technically a wheat beer, but is crammed with American hops and orange zest. It’s refreshing and fruity. The wheat prevents the body from being overly light, and its an all around crushable, but highly enjoyable beer.”


Denny Foster | Main And Mill Brewing Company

“I think of clean and crisp beers when spring hits. spring to me means baseball and nicer weather which goes well with pilsners, American Wheats, and IPA.

“We are releasing our ‘Ale of 1000 Suns‘ again this week which is one of our favorite spring/Summer beers. It’s an American Wheat beer with both fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. It’s one of my favorite beers we make.”
“I really enjoy Narrow Gauge IPAs when I get a chance to grab one, love Firestone Walker’s PIVO pils, and have always been a fan of Boulevard Wheat since it was basically the first craft beer I truly loved. There are countless other beers locally that I enjoy when I get the opportunity but these are the first to come to mind.

Tyler Frazee | Logboat Brewing Company

“I think a good spring beer is one that shifts away from the stouts and porters we like to drink during the cold months of winter and towards a brighter, more crisp beer that goes well with slightly warmer days.  We enjoy our Porter here year-round for sure, but when the days start to get longer and warmer it is nice to change over to something a little more crisp and refreshing.”

Flybye Farmhouse Ale is our spring seasonal at Logboat.  Flybye has a good amount of spice and fruit on the nose and palate with some malt sweetness towards mid-taste, then finishes dry to keep you wanting another drink.  I always look forward to this release since it is such a change of pace from the big stouts and other roasty beers we do that drink so well during the long winter season.”

“I think Orabelle from Great Divide is a great spring seasonal beer.


Dave Johnson | Missouri Beer Company

“Something between a winter beer and summer beer, malty but sessionable.”

“I think our English Dark Mild is a perfect spring beer, it’s got some malty, roasty flavor, but it’s kinda light and refreshing.”

“Heavy Riffs Irish Red or Friendships Downtown Brow.” 

Libby Crider | 2nd Shift Brewing Company

“Spring beers to me are Saisons. Something not quite light and crisp – thirst quenching you might say, those beers I reserve for long, hot Summer evenings. French & Belgian saisons, with their slightly fuller bodies, their lovely tea like esters, and citrus qualities make them my go-to spring beers. They remind me of flower buds & robin chirps.”

“On our menu, our Unicorn Killer Saison is for sure a spring beer.”

“My favorite spring Beer is Saison de Lis by Perennial Artisan Ales.”

Brian Nolen | Friendship Brewing

“For me, it’s about the transition from colder gray weather into warmer, brighter weather and the psychological shift I feel for lighter, crispier beer styles, which could a simple pilsner, saison or a citrusy IPA.”

“We brew a ginger-lime IPA called Friendzy.  It was designed for warmer, sunnier days.  Our Kolsch is a great choice, as is our Belgian Golden.  Then again, our carrot cake beer Bunny Love is about to launch, so it bucks the lighter beer shift as it’s dark and rich, but it’s a spring release tradition for us.”

“When it comes to my favorites, Schlafly’s Kolsch got me to really enjoy the style, and I find myself seeking out citrusy, balanced IPAs from anywhere.”


Hopefully, we have inspired you to seek out your own spring beers. And hopefully, as we get a bit closer to May, the temps will begin to feel a bit “springier” and we can all move back outside to the porch or the back patio and enjoy one or more of these and other spring great ones.

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