Crocuses are out, daffodils are blooming, and even tulips are opening up in all their glory. Spring is in the air – and in the beer, as craft brewers around the country use the mild weather as inspiration for some fantastic seasonal offerings. Raise a glass to spring awakenings.

Peak Organic Brewing Company Simcoe Spring Ale (Portland, Maine)
This rendition of an American Pale Ale is dosed with Simcoe hops giving a wonderful nose of grapefruit and pine. If you close your eyes and take a whiff it feels like you are being whisked away to a field full of dandelions.

Berkshire Brewing Company Maibock Lager (South Deerfield, Mass.)
This beer is brewed months in advance of its release in the traditional German style, and then cold-conditioned to give it a beautifully well-rounded sweetness with a hint of spice on the finish. At 6.5% ABV, this refined lager is the brewing symbol for spring: “Mai”=May.

Tröeg’s Brewing Company Sunshine Pils (Harrisburg, Penn.)
Released in April with the hopes of an early summer, this beer combines the “crisp taste of European style pilsner” with an ample quantity of hops to balance out the malt sweetness. At 5.3% ABV it should be served in a traditional Pilsner flute.

Redhook Nut Brown (Portsmouth, N.H.)
A medium bodied dark ale, this beer is layered with hints of chocolate, cocoa, brown sugar, and vanilla. At 5.8% ABV it is extremely drinkable and as the label so eloquently states, it “takes ‘nuts’ as a compliment.”

Long Trail Brewing Company Pollenator (Bridgewater Corners, Vt.)
This flavorful interpretation of an English Pale Ale features a sparkling golden color and showcases notes of honey and freshly mowed grass in the nose. Extremely well balanced at 4.6% ABV, this is the quintessential beer for change of seasons. 

Weyerbacher Brewing Company Slam Dunkel (Easton, Penn.)
Thought to be a one-off recipe back in 2007, there was such an overwhelming response the brewery added it to their seasonal rotation. This unfiltered dark wheat beer is a half-and-half blend of malted barley and wheat. The classic banana-clove taste profile is noted throughout. 

March is here and everyone knows about Ireland’s Patron Saint Patrick, and the March 17 day of Guinness and green beer—but what if you’re not Irish? To what can you raise a glass to make sure you’re not left out? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of lesser known but very important March holidays and the beer you should be drinking while you celebrate. Cheers!

Holiday: Plant a Flower Day (March 12)
Beer: Ithaca Brewing Company Flower Power IPA

Strong tropical notes in the nose are enhanced with a subtle finish of grapefruit and pineapple. Plus, it’s dry-hopped five different times before being bottled and pairs extremely well with a nice Stilton.

Holiday: Everything You Do Is Right Day (March 16)
Beer: Jack’s Abby Brewing Hoponius Union

If you’re doing everything right, then you have to be drinking the right beer. New on the scene in Massachusetts, Jack’s Abby is helmed by three brothers who bring a unique take on an IPA: India Pale Lager. They creatively cold ferment and age this beauty while adding copious doses of hops and the best in local malts.

Holiday: International Earth Day (Vernal Equinox, March 20)
Beer: Uinta Brewing Company Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

To celebrate this holiday, go for a brew from a company committed to our fine planet. Dubhe comes from the name of Utah’s Centennial Star and this beer aligns a toasted, chocolate mouthfeel with a giant dose of hops. Note Uinta’s commitment to environmental stewardship—the brewery is wind and solar powered!

Holiday: National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day (March 24)
Beer: North Coast Brewing Company Brother Thelonius

This 9.3% ABV interpretation of a Belgian Abbey Ale has notes of dried fruits, chocolate, and hints of raisins, making it a natural to pair with the star nosh of this day. Available in a 750 ml cork-sealed bottle, perfect for sharing, as well as in traditional 12-ouncers. Sales of this beer benefit the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz.

Whether you’re making resolutions or your resolution is not to have any resolutions, try one of these beers to help you kick-start 2012.

Long Trail Blackbeary Wheat (Bridgewater Corners, Vt.): This American wheat beer showcases a nice hint of blackberry, but doesn’t overwhelm you like some fruit beers on the market. Plus, it’s only 112 calories! The perfect beer for your New Year diet.

Throwback Brewery Maple-Kissed Wheat Porter: This rich and creamy ale gains its rounded mouthfeel from the wheat. Plus, the brewers add locally sourced maple syrup for a satisfying sweet finish.

Peak Organic Brewing Company Oak Aged Mocha Stout (Portland, Maine): Giving up eating chocolate for the New Year? Great. Now you can drink it. This 8.4 percent alcohol beauty is made with organic black malt and blended with Taza artisan chocolate. Then those devious brewers add coffee from Coffee by Design to help you keep thinking about going to the gym.

Tuckerman Brewing Company Altitude (North Conway, N.H.): The original version of what is now know as Headwall Alt, this beer packs a punch at 7.2 percent alcohol and features a well-rounded malt sweetness with a touch of caramel in the finish.

21^st Amendment Fireside Chat (San Francisco, Calif.): This 7.9 percent ABV English-style pale ale is abundantly spiced and warming to the soul, just like FDR’s namesake inspiring radio addresses. This brew will make you proud to be an American… craft beer drinker.

New Planet Off Grid Pale Ale (Boulder, Colo.): Get your hands on this subtly sweet pale ale with a well balanced bitterness and you’ll be helping the planet at the same time (a portion of the brewery’s proceeds go to environmental causes). When you live “off grid,” you’re living life self-sufficiently. Here’s a secret – this beer is gluten free, but it doesn’t taste like it!

Happy Holidays! Beer is a great way to celebrate – consider the following winter beers to share with family and friends. Top with a bow and you’re set for holiday gifts.

North Coast Brewing Company Le Merle (Fort Bragg, Calif.): This perfect rendition of a Belgian Farmhouse Ale (Saison) is pale in color, with flavors of passion fruit and subtle hop notes. Quite refreshing at 7.9% ABV and featuring a slight spiciness in the finish, this is the real champagne of beers.

Anchor Brewing Company Christmas Ale (San Francisco, Calif.): From the grandfather of the craft beer revolution, this is the 37th release of their annual Christmas Ale. Every year the brewers showcase their creativity and develop a completely new beer, and a new tree is featured on the label. To the brewery it symbolizes joy and celebration of new life. To beer aficionados, it marks another reason to toast the holidays.

Avery Brewing Company Old Jubilation Ale (Boulder, Colo.): This English Old Ale displays a remarkable mahogany color with a hint of toasted nuts in the nose and a finish with notes of espresso, cocoa, and caramel. This beer will pair perfectly with your holiday roast or rack of lamb, and at 8.3% ABV you can age one for your next celebration.

Berkshire Brewing Company Holidale (South Deerfield, Mass.): This barley wine style ale is made specifically to enjoy with family and friends. It’s also a great remedy for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Unique in taste profile every year, it offers your palate hints of fruit and a touch of honey. The nose – developing as the beer warms in the glass – features notes of caramel and spice.

Great Divide Brewing Company Hibernation Ale (Denver, Colo.): This robust and malty version of an English Old Ale is only available from September through January. Since 1995, this hearty, warming, dry-hopped ale has been dazzling consumers across the country. This is a “can’t miss” for the holiday season and it will pair perfectly with beef tenderloin or apple crisp.

Goose Island Brewing Company Mild Winter (Chicago, Ill.): Don’t we hope the label comes true this year! The first whiff of this medium-bodied ale gives off notes of raisins and freshly baked bread. Rich in flavor with its signature caramel and spice, this ale will surely keep you warm even when you step away from the fire.