Happy Oberon Day 2017

Submitted by Yo_Blue on

It's finally here.  The long winter of our discontent is finally over.  March 27th heralds the realease of the 2017 Oberon.

While parts of the US get Oberon year-round (I'm glaring at you Florida and California), those of us in Bell's homestate of Michigan only get it seasonally. So get out your orange slices and enjoy the reminder that Summer is right around the corner.

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ChuckieWoodson

March 27th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^

You'll get negged because of the cult following, but you're 100% correct.  I'll still have one here and there, and it's not bad, but the fanfare surrounding it is a bit much.

That said, if people are drinking that instead of macro piss, net benefit to society.

Joined: 01/13/2012

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evenyoubrutus

March 27th, 2017 at 1:14 PM ^

Maybe I should have phrased it differently, because I suppose in that sense some people take it a little too far, but I think it is partly more than just the beer. It's what it represents. People associate Oberon with Michigan summers, and that's probably why they love it so much. But yes, there are also people who take it to the other extreme and say it tastes like shit, which of course is ridiculous.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178179

McDoomButt

March 27th, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^

It is very much a cultural thing. Maybe even moreso for ex-pats who've moved elsewhere but hold Michigan near and dear to their hearts.

"Daffodils aren't even the prettiest flowers though, I don't get why people like them so much. And others bloom even earlier so I don't see what the big deal is. Losers"

Joined: 02/11/2016

MGoPoints: 4768

707oxford

March 27th, 2017 at 2:09 PM ^

Oberon is still a good summer beer.  Oddly some cases taste better than others.

I recently discovered their "Spring" seasonal beer called Smitten - a Rye IPA which has become one of my favorites.  I like it so much that it's a bit frustrating that the "Spring" seasonal beer is now gone...right as Spring is actually beginning.  Really wish it was available year round.

Joined: 02/13/2012

MGoPoints: 10993

evenyoubrutus

March 27th, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^

Haha, I ran into a distributor at a grocery store and I mentioned to him that it seemed like the taste of Oebron had changed the last couple of years, so of course he got pretty huffy puffy about it and insisted that my tastes had changed over the years. Totally possible I suppose, but with any product made in small quantities that relies on agricultural ingredients you can never keep it exactly the same from year to year.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178179

ATC

March 27th, 2017 at 3:06 PM ^

....it's the distribution (when ramped up). Way too many variables to control i.e. temperature, sunlight, shelf time etc.(with limited financial margin to enforce consistent distribution methods). Beer doesn't improve with age, like wine..... Edit: finding a source that runs out ain't a bad thing.

Joined: 12/05/2014

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MGJS SuperKick Party

March 27th, 2017 at 1:19 PM ^

Hopslam doesn't live up to the hype for me, personally. Too many good DIPA available now (Brother Benjamin, Blow Your Face Out, Pipeworks Ninja vs Unicorn, Stone Enjoy By) KBS is interesting... I find this years really really balanced, but I'm tasting next to no barrel this year, which is unfortunate. I had hipster brunch Stout (both Bourbon and Rye) and I can say those might be better barrel aged stouts now.

Joined: 08/04/2010

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JHendo

March 27th, 2017 at 12:37 PM ^

It used to taste better.  Or maybe it's simply that when I was in college and drank heavy quantities of Busch Light, Natty light/ice, and cheap vodka, it was the one adult beverage that I splurged on that tasted at all good.

That said, with Oberon, it's more about what it represents now than anything.  For Michiganders, it's not officially Spring until you have that first sip, and that's what makes it so great, regardless of what beer snobs and others who think Bell's has lost their microbrew ways think.

Joined: 10/25/2008

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chrisu

March 27th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^

Decent beer that developed a unique love/hate that grew out of cult-like status. I don't mind it now and then, though I much prefer Two Hearted or nearly any IPA over Oberon. That said, I'll still keep a six in the beer fridge most of the time. Cheers for beers!

Joined: 12/27/2014

MGoPoints: 3239

Sam1863

March 27th, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^

Not true. As one of the most overused internet quotes from Ben Franklin reminds us constantly:

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants to be happy. And Oberon rocks."

(Granted, that last part needs citation.)

Joined: 04/27/2014

MGoPoints: 28801

UM Fan from Sydney

March 27th, 2017 at 1:14 PM ^

I did that once. It was brutal and I will never do it again. I'm an atheist and don't even believe in deities, but still give up something every year just for my own well being. The no beer thing will never happen again.

Joined: 09/17/2015

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