Stubborn

This year, the seasons are meeting expectations with great difficulty. We had an autumnal summer and a summery autumn. And the winter? Unlike last year's, it came somewhat close, with snow and ice skating. The seasons also influence a product like beer, as seasonal, old-fashioned conventions are used. As a result, there is autumn bock and winter beer. And I have written before about bock beer brewed too early in a warm late summer. In short, it is very difficult these days to enjoy the right beer at the right moment.

With winter beer, that is equally problematic. There are many brewers who brewed special Christmas beers that have been rebranded as ‘winter beers’ for sales reasons, and there are May bocks that are being rebranded as ‘spring bocks’. After all, who still drinks Christmas beer after Christmas, and who is already drinking May bock in April?

As I write this, after the cold winter days, there is a fantastic spring day that almost invited a barbecue. I still had a bottle of Gulpener Spring Bock and took a little head start on spring—delicious. I don't drink beer because my calendar tells me it's time for it. A drizzly, bitterly cold summer day can certainly invite a bock beer. I can recommend that everyone invest against the economic cycle when it comes to beer. Buy the bock beer that is on sale in the winter, and the winter beer in the spring. If you keep it for a year, it only gets better, and you have the advantage of not being dependent on sales seasons. That way, you are always armed against the capriciousness of Mother Nature.

I mean, I love traditions, but if the weather gods have let go of the calendar, there isn't much reason for me to let that restrict me. I think you're allowed to ignore conventions in that regard. Drink a Christmas beer at Easter! Enjoy a Weizen on the ice! Drink a Radler, even if you're not on a bike!
The best beer is the beer that suits your mood. I'm looking forward to spring, but I'm keeping some winter beer on hand, just in case.

Ivo Thijssen
Beer sommelier

Ivo is an international beer sommelier, entertainer, and hospitality expert. He has an immense passion for beer, the hospitality industry, and hospitality. Ivo will write a monthly column for Horeca Groningen.