So many beers, So little time…With so many craft breweries, releasing so many beers, we thought it might help to provide a weekly update on all the new beers  that are hitting the streets …..So welcome to this week’s edition of Newbies – your guide to great new craft beer releases!

Ska Gets Vernal For The Equinox (Durango, CO) – Ska Brewing  has just announced the third release in its Seasonal Stout series: Vernal Minthe Stout, a stout brewed with peppermint, spearmint, cocoa and vanilla beans. The beer hit the shelves yesterday, March 20, the date of the spring equinox. The debut also occurs during Colorado Craft Beer Week, a week of events and tappings celebrating Colorado craft breweries and beers.The packaging for the Vernal Minthe Stout features Ska’s True Blonde character as the Greek goddess Persephone, who, according to Greek mythology, turned the naiad Minthe into a mint plant in a jealous rage.

Ommegang Sending Out Fleurs (Cooperstown, NY) – Brewery Ommegang has a new limited release beer on the way in May. Ommegang Fleur de Houblon is their brand new, easy-to-drink summer ale. “Fleur de Houblon” is described by the brewery as having a rich gold color and a body that’s clean and dry. This limited release seasonal will become available in 1/2 BBLs and 12oz bottles starting in May.

Wynkoop Draws On Ellegance (Denver, CO) – Wynkoop Brewing Company has just tapped the first kegs of Ellegance, a highly quaffable, 5% ABV Belgian-style brown ale brewed for Colorado Craft Beer Week by a collection of women from the Denver area’s craft beer scene.The project was headed up by Wynkoop’s own Bess Dougherty, and includes Natalie Lesko of Funkwerks, Sydney Skilken of Denver’s TRVE Brewing, Linsey Cornish of Odell Brewing, Reva Golden from Twisted Pine, Ashleigh Carter of Prost Brewing, and Melissa Antone and Sara Ferber from Avery Brewing. The beer will also be on tap during Colorado Beer Week at a short list of the area’s best beer bars.

Bear Republic gives in to the Dark Side (Cloverdale, CA) – Bear Republic Brewing Company is adding another popular, award-winning beer to their seasonal bottled offerings. Black Racer is a 2012 World Beer Cup® Gold Award winner in the American Style Black Ale Category and a Bronze Medal winner at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival. Currently being bottled and kegged, “Racer” will soon be landing on shelves in select areas of California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia during the first week of April.

Saint Arnold Embraces the Divine (Houston, TX) – Saint Arnold Brewing Company, the oldest craft brewery in Texas, has just released something divine! Divine Reserve No. 13 is the newest release in their series of single-batch beers, each of which is brewed with a different recipe. The batches are identified by the number on the neck label. All “Divine Reserves” tend to be big beers and No. 13, a Belgian Quadrupel, is no exception. ThisBelgian Dark Strong Ale is inspired by the Trappist brewers of Belgium, clocks in at an unholy 11% ABV, and is available in 6-packs of 12oz bottles as well as in 22oz bottles.