10 of Spring's Best Beers

Blue Moon Valencia Grove Amber

ABV: 5.9%

Blue Moon is offering a new springtime beauty you may have never come across, the Valencia Grove Amber, which gets its name from the Valencia orange peel twist found inside this little 12-ounce rocket ship of freshness. Although deep amber in color, the beer gravitates toward sweetness with its complementary caramel malt and orange zip. It's just as good as the original, but better for spring and the perfect prep for their staple summer ale.

Available February through April.

Dogfish Head Aprihop

ABV: 7.0%

Labeled as the fruit beer for hopheads, Dogfish Head, commonly known for its majestic IPA selection, has gone seasonal with its Aprihop, a play on the word "apricot" using its rich hop flavor to liven things up. The natural bitterness of the beer is offset by its real apricot zest and crystal malt sweetness. If you're into Dogfish Head's Stone IPA, you'll dig a little hoppy springtime apricot IPA, and you'll have a better shot at driving home safely.

Available March through May.

Rogue Mom's Hefeweizen

ABV: 4.8%

You know you've got a solid beer under your waistline when you can only get it in a 22-ounce bottle. Also known as "Half-E-Weizen," this Belgian may be the only blonde willing to go home with you, but it's still good enough to brag about. Infused with rose petals from Eugene, Oregon on top of its wheat and pale malt mixed with sterling hops, you could say that mom hit it right on the head. If the label doesn't sell you, the beer itself will. Lucky for you, this spring seasonal is a year-round beer thanks to its popularity.

Available year round due to awesomeness.

Flying Dog Backyard Ale

ABV: 7.5%

Springtime marks more than just everything coming up daisies; it's also time for backyard barbeques to resume, and nothing goes better with a friendly BBQ than Flying Dog's seasonal Backyard Ale. Flying Dog's brew master collaborated with a top chef to create this smoky amber to fit in nicely at the picnic table. Here's hoping there aren't too many kids around to witness your love of this beer. If you have a hard time finding this one, Flying Dog also has Lucky S.O.B. Irish Red Ale around for March and early April, and that's also good for cookouts.

Full Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

ABV: 9.6%

Brewed in late 2011, this batch of sophisticatedly aged imperial stout was made specifically for this spring season. Stowed away in Kentucky Bourbon casks of Maker's Mark, Jim Beam and Four Roses, the beer has grown fond of its oaky, woodsy taste. Topped with flavors of vanilla and bourbon, this would be the beer Ron Burgundy would drink if he ran out of scotch.

Available until it's gone.

Maui Brewing Co. La Perouse White

ABV: 5.2%

Canned beer has a negative connotation that should be thrown out, especially if you assume it reduces the quality of the beer. Maui Brewing Co. features a consistent line of quality canned beer, including their spring feature La Perouse White, a generously clean tasting beer that's perfect after a spring afternoon outing.

Hazy golden color from its lemon citrusy flavor and clove spice, this little pearl will come meet you out at the hammock on a partly cloudy day for an afternoon of Bob Seger and cloud watching.

Available Springtime only.

Widmer Columbia Common Spring Ale

ABV: 4.7%

If you thought Widmer only had the hefeweizen down to a science, think again. Crisp, amber and new to 2013 is the mild yet spicy Columbian hop taste with a fruity finish known as the Columbia Common Spring Ale. Inspired by the lost tradition of Columbia hops and a few clever brew techs at Widmer, they're making Columbian the new hot trend.

With the ideal transition from winter to spring, dark chocolate malt of winter and caramel malt for spring, the common ale isn't so common after all. Added hefeweizen and lager yeast to make it a little lighter than a winter beer would is just springy enough for you spring-loving beer freaks.

Available February through April.

Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest

ABV: 6.7%

Here's a specialty seasonal with limited availability (get it while it's hot...err, cold). If you've never treated yourself to the fresh, fine hops of New Zealand, and we're not sure why you wouldn't, you're in for a real treat it seems. Shipped a week after they're picked and dried, Sierra Nevada is like the Lewis and Clark of our generation, out searching for new territory to cover, better than ever.

With much research done over its precious love affair with hops, Sierra Nevada has literally reached around the globe to bring the best hops available for a springtime harvest, hence the name Southern Hemisphere Harvest. More importantly, this new specialty brew exhibits the herbal, citrus and floral aromas we all love in a good barrel of hops. Now, there is a Northern Hemisphere Harvest, but it's much less southerny.

Available March through May.