Emily Monacelli | emonacel@mlive.com

March 21 is Oberon Day

Monday March 21 2016 is Oberon release day. This seasonal beer from Bell's Beer is a refreshing wheat beer, with just a hint of hops and a smooth finish. It's available until Labor Day in Michigan. If you live in Florida, Arizona or Southern California, you get to drink it year round.

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CHRISTIAN RANDOLPH,

Oberon: to orange or not to orange

Are you a fan of the orange in your Oberon? While the beer doesn't need any garnish, you might enjoy the snack while you drink. Co-owner Laura Bell says that if the "beer comes with it, I'll eat it. But I won't put it in the beer." Her dad, and founder of Bell's, Larry Bell told her "If it makes you happy, go for it!" MLive did a poll last year asking readers if they oranged or not, you can see the results here.

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Emily Monacelli | emonacel@mlive.com

Has the recipe changed?

While beloved by many, every year some people swear that the recipe has changed. "This is one of our most popular beers," said co-owner Laura Bell. "Why would we change the recipe? We've been brewing for over 20 years now, and our quality control has gotten better, and our process has gotten better. We do brew it the same way every year."

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CHRISTIAN RANDOLPH,

So why does Oberon taste different?

Beer is an agricultural product, and the malts and hops that Bell's uses will naturally be slightly different from year to year. "When you a re drinking beer, depending on what you are doing or where you are, you create a taste memory of it. The beer is the same but how people react to it is different" is one of the reasons why Laura Bell thinks people perceive Oberon differently from year to year.

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CHRISTIAN RANDOLPH,

Why else would Oberon taste different to you?

Maybe because your taste buds have changed. When Oberon first came out (as Solsun), we didn't have a lot of full flavored, hoppy craft beers to choose from. Now, craft beer lovers have become used to big, bitter beers, and a beer like Oberon just doesn't taste the same as we remember. Laura Bell agrees, saying that our "lupulin threshold has shifted, and these hoppier beers have created a palate change". The beer hasn't changed, we have as beer drinkers.

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Each year, Oberon has a new theme.

Every year, Bell's picks a new theme for thier Oberon mini kegs. Last year was paisley's, this year it's beach towns. Laura Bell says that this is not a specific beach town, but "somewhere that seems like you've been there and that you'd want to drink an Oberon on that beach."

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Get your Oberon Untappd badge

Untappd is an app that keeps track of all the beers that you're tasting, easy to use, and free. There will be a special Oberon Untappd badge available from March 21 to April 21, check in your Oberon to get it.

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Emily Monacelli | emonacel@mlive.com

#1 selling Bell's beer? It's not Oberon.

For a long time, Oberon was Bell's best selling beer. Two Hearted, Bell's IPA, is now the number one selling beer for the company. Oberon, however, remains at number 2, and is only sold for six months out of the year.

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Mark Bugnaski / MLive.com

Tap the first Oberon with Laura Bell at Crunchy's East Lansing

Bell's Brewery is a family owned business. Vice President Laura Bell kicks off Oberon season every year at Crunchy's East Lansing, she'll be there Sunday March 20 to tap the first keg Monday at 12:00 AM. Bell says "I'm a MSU grad, and have spent more time at Crunchy's than I probably should."

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Oberon is available in cans, but bottles are still king.

In 2014, Bell's added a canning line and currently cans Oberon, Two-Hearted and Hopslam. While cans are gaining ground, Bell's still sells more in bottles. As Laura Bell said is that thier are different occasions for bottles and cans "and we are happy to have Oberon in cans for when you are out on your boat and bottles just aren't a good idea."

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Which one do you want? Two weeks until Oberon returns. #FromOurSummertoYours pic.twitter.com/chukLgRceA — Bell's Brewery (@BellsBrewery) March 7, 2016

Two can sizes are available this year.

Oberon cans are available in both 16 oz cans that come in a four pack, and 12 oz cans that come in a 12 pack. Perfect for when you are boating with friends.

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Mark Bugnaski-MLive

Celebrate at the Eccentric Cafe

You can head to Kalamazoo and celebrate Oberon Day right at the source. The Eccentric Cafe will open at 9am and feature music from Chicago band Sidewalk Chalk starting at 5pm. We visited the cafe on our search for Michigan's Best Brewery.

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There's even an Oberon inspired donut from Sweetwater's.

This year Sweetwaters Donuts will offer an Oberon inspired creation. Sweetwaters came in second in our MLive search for Michigan's Best donut and has been serving Kalamazoo fans donuts since 1983. According to their facebook page, this donut will feature the "fruity aroma and spicy character of Oberon while being placed in a heavenly donut body." Sounds good to me.

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Larry Bell talks Oberon (video)

According to Larry Bell, "Oberon took on a life of it's own." It's release is a sure sign of spring in Michigan and becomes a "celebration of surviving the winter".

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Emily Monacelli | emonacel@mlive.com

Where to go today to have a pint of Oberon.

There are events happening all around the state, starting with tappings at midnight. Check out the list here. You can also see what's going on around Grand Rapids here. Feel free to add whatever event you are attending in the comments section.

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