Newbies – 5 Awesome Spring Craft Beers

American Craft Beer|March 9th, 2016|

So many beers- So little time… With winter waning, we’re beginning to see some “changing seasons” offerings. …Plus we’ve some great new releases from Flying Dog and The Bruery that you may need to chase down.

Cherry Blossom Play (Dover, DE) – Nothing signals winter’s departure like Dominion’s very special seasonal, that they brew to commemorate the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival which takes place every spring in Washington, DC. Dominion Cherry Blossom Lager is a welcome spring refresher that’s aged on red sour cherries and dark sweet cherries for 72 hours before packaging and kegging.

Derailed (Portland, OR) – Lompoc Brewing just released something special, last night that might be worth a trip to their compound. Aggressive, yet sessionable at the same time, Lompoc Barrel Aged Derail Olde Ale is a 5.6% ABV whiskey barrel-aged English-style Olde Ale with a malty body and notes of toffee, oak and just a hint of sherry.

Flying Dog Caught Packing Heat! (Frederick, MD) – Disregarding warnings from concerned public officials, Flying Dog is now packing heat. First in their brand new Heat Series is Flying Dog’s Oaked Chipotle Ale, a 6.2 % melding of chipotle peppers and toasted oak, tethered to an unapologetic roasted malt backbone.

A New Old World Pils (Bend, OR) – One of our favorite breweries, Crux Fermentation Project is now canning one of their most popular beers – and we’re happy they finally are. Described as a new “Old World Pilsner” and brewed with traditional Pilsner malts, imported Czech Saaz and local Oregon Sterling hops, Crux Pilz is 5.2% ABV lager with a surprising complexity and softness.

Horchata Homage (Placentia, CA) – The Bruery has a new spring seasonal, that takes its lead from horchata, a traditional, sweet, milky drink that originated in Spain and Latin America and has become quite popular in Southern California. The Bruery’s Or Xata is a 7.2% Blonde Ale, brewed with a heavy dosing of rice, cinnamon and fresh vanilla beans – along with lactose for a little extra creamy character.