March — a month of beer contrasts

The West Virginia weather picture in March can be quite unpredictable — often with lots of wind and maybe a little snow, followed by days of beautiful, warm sunshine, then days of big cool rains. Suffice it to say, March is a month of contrasts.

Taking this contrast theme to local beers, we look at some contrasting March beer styles from West Virginia brewers. We hear from three West Virginia brewers who each pass along their ideas of contrasting beers for you from their portfolios. This should give you some tasting scenarios that you can take out this month to your favorite taprooms.

The featured beers below can be found on draft this month at their respective breweries (and a few in distribution also).

Screech Owl Brewing

Jameson Johnson, general manager at Screech Owl Brewing, is never at a loss for words when talking about the beer they brew. For contrasting March beer styles, he offers up two beauties, which are a study in contrasts: Dooley’s Irish Red Ale and Mama’s Mango Ale.

“These two beers are so drastically different,” says Jameson, “but saying hello to March with one of these on hand certainly makes life better.” He offers us with the following descriptions:

Dooley’s Irish Red Ale – 5.3 ABV; 22 IBUs 

“The heart of this beer is reaching deep into our Irish roots with its deep red color, which comes naturally from the grain, and malty flavors. It is then brewed by our very own ale wifes: Kristin Johnson and Harley Miers.  This hearty beer is one of the favorites of the family and highly anticipated by our customers.  You will be hard pressed to find a more authentic red ale anywhere in the USA.  There is truly a special anticipation when this beer is brewed.  Named after my mother’s (Crista Johnson) grandfather James Dooley.  When my father (Roger Johnson) crafted this recipe he truly outdid himself.” 

Mama’s Mango Ale – 6.2 ABV

“Say hello to hotter weather that is coming with this light, airy beer hinting at undertones of strawberry but capitalizing on the mango.  This beer is meant to be refreshing and surprisingly gets better with a splash of orange juice turning it into our very own Beer Mimosa. Garnished with a slice of orange. If you close your eyes after a sip, you very well may be transported temporarily to a tropical paradise.” 

Berkeley Springs Brewing

Next we visit with Denise Wagenbrenner, co-owner at Berkeley Springs Brewing Company, to get her take on contrasting March brews. For their study in contrasts, she also offered up an Irish Red Ale (well, it is the month of St. Patrick’s Day), but contrasted it with their New England-style India Pale Ale. One (the NEIPA) features hops, while the other (the Irish Red) features the malt.

Chief Hopper NEIPA, 5.3 ABV

Denise calls the NEIPA softer and fairly light in body. She says this hazy India Pale Ale has “soft grapefruit up front and soft citrus on the finish.” Sounds like everything you look for in a NEIPA For those days of warm March sunshine.

Ripple Red (Irish Red Ale), 6.3% ABV

For the cooler days and your Irish-themed celebrations (or when you just need a tasty brew), Denise hopes you’ll try their malt-forward American-style Red Ale. The balance between the beer’s moderate hopping level and the richer malt profile makes it very drinkable for those prototypical breezy March days. A sweater-weather beer.

Big Timber Brewing

Finally, West Virginia’s largest brewery, Big Timber Brewing, also has its contrasting March beers to offer. And it’s a little different take: Lagers. The brewery’s marketing manager, Jared Wray thinks you’ll get a perfect match to whichever side the March weather comes down on. One is lighter and crisp; the other soft and malty. Will two contrasting Lagers give you the pairings you need for storms or sunshine? You’ll want both on hand to find out.  

Jared gives us the following descriptions:

Logger Lager Pilsner, 5.2% ABV

“We have our Logger Lager Pilsner that is available year round. Logger Lager has a light and delicate malt body, balanced with spicy and floral noble hops that add a moderate bitterness.”  

26105 Vienna Lager, 5.3%ABV

“We will also have our new 26105 Vienna Lager available,” Jared says. “26105 Vienna Lager is named after West Virginia’s Vienna (hence the zip-code name). It is an amber lager with a soft, smooth toasted maltiness, yet finishing relatively dry.”

Hit the breweries in March

If you want to see how West Virginia brewers pair their beers to the unpredictable March climate contrasts, you’ll need to visit a West Virginia brewery and find out. Let us know if they nailed their pairings to the contrasting weather. Or you can make up your own contrasts from beers on the menu.

Except for the occasional snow day, West Virginia weather is near perfect in March for getting out and exploring our small breweries. Put winter behind you, take along your designated driver, and see what West Virginia has to offer.