Discovering Seasonal Beers

"We could not now take time for further search . . . our victuals being much spent, especially our beer." 
- Diary entry from the Mayflower

I think America's earliest settlers would have enjoyed the wide variety of beer we have in this country today. I know I do.

Anheuser-Busch is well known for our world famous Budweiser and Bud Light beers, two of the best-selling beers in the world. But one of the great pleasures of being an Anheuser-Busch brewmaster is the opportunity to experiment with new recipes and beer styles.

Most recently, we’ve been able to create a seasonal beer line – special batches of beer crafted to complement the changing seasons. I want to introduce you to two seasonals from our Michelob Brewing Co. – Hop Hound Amber Wheat for spring and Beach Bum Blonde Ale for summer.

Hop Hound Amber Wheat

An unfiltered amber wheat ale, Hop Hound has a slight caramel sweetness and refreshing citrus note.  It’s brewed with Cascade and Willamette hops from the Pacific Northwest and imported Hallertau hops from southern Germany. The amber wheat ale gets its tawny hue from its blend of caramel, wheat and pale barley malts.

I think that a tall, wide mouthed glass is the best way to serve Hop Hound. It opens up the aroma of the beer and best showcases its long-lasting head of white foam. Hop Hound’s full texture helps it stand up to spicy foods, such as Thai noodle salads and Cuban sandwiches.

Beach Bum Blonde Ale

Beach Bum Blonde Ale is brewed with Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest as well as  Hallertau hops from Bavaria.  It’s the hops that give it its slightly spicy, light citrus note that makes it pair perfectly with summer dishes.

To brew this beer, we also use a technique called dry-hopping. Normally when you brew a beer, hops are added only to the brew kettle. Dry hopping a beer involves adding extra hops to the cold aging tank. This increases the hop aroma of the beer.

I recommend a traditional style pub glass for serving this beer. This style of glass helps open up the fruity, citrus hop aromas of the beer and showcases its beautiful golden color. Beach Bum’s bitterness and citrus note match well with citrus foods such as fresh salads with vinaigrette dressing or a light grilled fish with fresh squeezed lemon.

We all know that beer is a great, refreshing beverage, particularly in warmer weather. A lot of beer styles work well in the spring and summer months, but these are two of the best. Give them a try and let me know what you think. I’d also be interested in your suggestions for what type of food would pair well with these two seasonal beers. Email me at askthebrewmaster@anheuser-busch.com