We’ve made it! The winter holidays are behind us, and we have all of 2016 to look forward to. But unless you’re a student, teacher, banker, or postal worker, you’re probably also looking at an interminable stretch from New Year’s Day to Memorial Day with few, if any, designated holidays. Not to worry, where there’s a homebrew, there’s a way.
Here are a few holidays to look forward to as you work your way toward summer—and the beers you might want to brew to fuel the celebrations:
Super Bowl Sunday (February 7)
With just about a month to go until this de facto national holiday, now is the time to whip up a basic American pale ale, English bitter, or Bavarian Hefeweizen just in time for kickoff. While you’re at it, make extra for Mardi Gras, which is just two days later.
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Valentine’s Day is on a weekend this year, so impress your sweetheart with a batch of homemade Chocolate Pain Perdu_ _and pair it with your favorite session IPA.
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
Everyone is Irish on the Feast of St. Patrick. The classic brew would be Irish stout or Irish red ale, but any malty, sessionable ale would be perfect. Just do us all a favor and say no to green beer, okay?
Baseball Opening Day (First week of April)
An ice-cold American lager is the traditional way to celebrate the start of baseball season, but if your palate demands something a little more complex, why not try Honus Wagner's Favorite, a classic American Pilsner?
Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
Mexican Independence Day is September 16, but Cinco de Mayo remains the best-known Mexican holiday north of the border. And what better way to celebrate than with Vienna lager, a style that Mexico kept alive? If lager isn’t your thing, try Copper Kettle’s award-winning Mexican Chocolate Stout. But then you’ll have to rename your celebration Cinco de Maya…
And for all of my geek friends, don’t forget a few of the—shall we say lesser known?—holidays we have to look forward to:
March 14, 2016, is Pi Day, so brew something that pairs well with pie.
April 4, 2016, is Square Root Day. This might be an opportunity to whip up a big English barleywine and age it carefully until May 5, 2025.
May 25, 2016, is Towel Day. For those unfamiliar with it, this annual celebration is a tribute to the late author Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). On that day, fans around the universe carry a towel in his honor. If you’ve run out of that Ol’ Janx Spirit, forego the Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters and try carbonating your favorite homebrew with Fallian marsh gas.
So long and thanks for all the fish!