Summer ale release heralds warmer days
Oberon schedules events, parties throughout Michigan
Brian Manzullo
OK, spring is here in Michigan. Monday’s annual Oberon Day release of Bell’s Brewery’s beloved summer wheat ale, is what many in Michigan consider to be the symbolic beginning to warm temperatures ahead in the state.
Bell’s, based in Comstock, is pulling off big plans for the release this year, with a daylong party at its Eccentic Cafe in Kalamazoo and live tappings at bars and restaurants across the state the rest of the week.
Here’s what to know:
now
What is Oberon Ale?
Oberon Ale is Bell’s Brewery’s summer wheat ale. It’s brewed with wheat malt, hops and spices and fermented with Bell’s signature house yeast. It comes in at 5.8% alcohol by volume. Its release every spring is an annual celebration in Michigan, for many marking the unofficial start of spring and warming temperatures.
Oberon Ale, which debuted in 1992 under the name Solsun, is available from March through mid-September each year, except in Florida and Arizona, where it’s available yearround. Mini-kegs will be released later this summer.
Here’s more info on Oberon:
What’s new for Oberon this year?
As it has in past years, Bell’s is releasing new variants of Oberon this summer, this time in the form of a shandy (a beer typically made using lemonade or lemon-lime soda).
Oberon Sunshine will come in three variants: Cherry Limeade Shandy, Lemonade Shandy and Tropical Shandy, to be released in 12-packs later this summer. In the meantime, Bell’s is giving fans a first taste of the shandies at its Oberon Day party in Kalamazoo.
Oberon Ale release parties in metro Detroit
Bell’s is planning Oberon release events and parties all across Michigan this week. That includes plenty in metro Detroit.
Here’s a snapshot of Oberon tap release events planned in the area.
As always, check your local bars and restaurants to see whether they’re planning anything that isn’t listed here.
1 p.m. Tuesday: Bobcat Bonnies, 200 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti
3:30 p.m. Tuesday: Bobcat Bonnies, 1800 Michigan Ave. in Detroit
4 p.m. Tuesday: World’s End Burger Bar, 16420 13 Mile Road in Roseville ($5 pints of Oberon, Two Hearted and Big Hearted)
4:30 p.m. Tuesday: Bobcat Bonnies, 240 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale
9 p.m. Wednesday: Good Time Charley’s, 1140 S. University Ave. in Ann Arbor (Trivia Night)
1 p.m. Thursday: Art and
6898 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston
1 p.m. Thursday: Buckshots, 7048 Gateway Park Drive in Clarkston
7:30 p.m. Thursday: Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub, 318 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor (Trivia Night)
8 p.m. Thursday: Blue Goose, 28911 Jeffer
Jakes, son Ave. in
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8 p.m. Thursday: Brown Jug, 1204 S. University Ave. in Ann Arbor
10 p.m. Thursday: Blue Leprechaun, 1220 S. University Ave. in Ann Arbor
6 p.m. Friday: The Circ Bar, 210 S. 1st St. in Ann Arbor (karaoke and pong tourney at 8 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m., with an Electric Forest pass giveaway)
St. Clair Shores (Oberon Trivia
What about Oberon Eclipse?
This year’s Oberon Day looks slightly different from past years, because Bell’s now has an “off-season” variant of Oberon, called Oberon Eclipse, which is a heavier version of Oberon Ale for the cold, winter months. It was first unveiled late last year.
Bell’s said earlier this year that Oberon Eclipse would remain on store shelves until the “sun” comes up, so to speak (meaning, until Oberon’s release Monday). You might still find it lingering on some store shelves until sold out; otherwise, stay tuned until next fall.
Brian Manzullo covers craft alcohol for the Free Press. Contact him: bmanzullo@ freepress.com and on Untappd, bmanzullo and Twitter @BrianManzullo.