Spring is upon us–finally. After a long winter, it is time to awaken the senses with the best beers the world has to offer.
1. Witbeir/Belgian Wheat Beer
Photo by Brandon Guild
Witbier, also known as white beer or blanche, is a top-fermented beer originally brewed in Belgium and the Netherlands. It got its name from the use of fresh or malted wheat that causes the beer to look hazy and white when cold.
It originated from medieval beers brewed with a blend of spices and other plants, like coriander and bitter orange, instead of hops. The taste is therefore only slightly hoppy with citrus and herb aromas.
To Pair: Spring mix salad with fruit and goat cheese, grilled scallops, bacon, or breakfast items
To Try: Blanche De Chambly–Unibroue; Belgian Style Wit–Mill Street Brewery; Raspberry Wheat–Amsterdam Brewery
2. Sour Ale
Photo by Brandon Guild
In contrast to commercial brewing, which is done in a meticulously clean environment, sour beers are made by intentionally allowing wild yeast strains or bacteria into the brew.
Traditionally, Belgian brewers allowed wild yeast into the brew naturally through beer barrels. Modern brewers sometimes use wine, fruit wine or bourbon barrels to add sour bacteria and flavors to the beer.
To Pair: Sweet potatoes, blueberry crêpes, grilled pineapple and teriyaki chicken.
To Try: Sour Bikini–Evil Twin Brewing; Sour Golden Ale–Backacre Brewing; Rotating Sours–Royal City Brewing Co.
3. Pilsner
Photo courtesy of Steam Whistle Brewing
Pilsner is a style of Pale Lager that orignated in Plzeň, Czech Republic. Czech-style pilsner has a golden color, high foaminess and lighter flavour compared to the light-staw colour German-style that has more earthy flavors. These beers are the original lager-style of beer, fresh and easy-going and perfect for sunny days.
To Pair: Fish, light & spicy Asian cuisine, white cheddar.
To Try: Stone Hammer Pilsner–Stone Hammer Brewing; Steam Whistle Pilsner–Steam Whistle Brewing; Lagunitas Pils–Laguanitas Brewing Co.
4. Blonde Ale
Photo courtesy Amsterdam Brewing
Blondes are a classic beer to enjoy as the weather gets warmer. They tend to be clear, crisp, and dry. They are golden in colour, have low-to-medium bitterness with subtle malt sweetness and a light fruitiness from yeast. Literally sunshine in a glass.
To Pair: Seafood salad, calamari, grilled vegetables and chicken.
To Try: All Natural Blonde–Amsterdam Brewery; Brakeman’s Session ale–Junction Craft Brewing
5. Hefweizen/German Wheat Beer
Photo by Brandon Guild
The Hefweizen style is an unfiltered variety of wheat beer originating from Germany. Like Belgian witbeir, a significant proportion of malted barley in the mash is replaced with malted wheat.
German weissbiers are different from the Belgian-styles because no corriander or orange flavourings are added. Instead, special strains of weissbier yeast are used, which produce aromas of banana and clove.
To Pair: Salads with fruity vinaigrette dressings, German-style dishes (weisswurst, cured meats), guacamole, or apple glazed pork.
To Try: Gordon Hill Hefweizen –Royal City Brewing; Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier–Paulaner Brauerei
6. Maple Beer
Photo courtesy DJ’s BrewTube
It’s true. In Canada, we put that s**t on everything. Maple beer is brewed with the addition of maple syrup as an additional fermentable.
Spring is maple syrup season, and hence many seasonal beers featuring maple are available this time of year.
To Pair: Sweet and spicy pad thai for lighter maple ales; maple quinoa pancakes, or bacon for red maple beer; sweeter maple desserts or wild game for Maple Porter.
To Try: Spring Maple Belgian Blonde Ale–Lake Of Bays Brewing Company; Maple Red Ale–Stonehammer Brewing; Maple Porter–Nicklebrook Brewery
For more about beer, and food to go with it, make sure to check out these articles: