a wheat ale fermented with Bell's signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer."

This year, Oberon will be available in the standard six packs, 12 packs, on draft, and in 5 liter mini-kegs. It also will be available, for the first time, in cans staring late April.

On Oberon Day, Bell's Eccentric Cafe will be packed all day with people celebrating the release of the summer beer. The cafe will open at 9 a.m. Members of The Corn Fed Girls and Red Sea Pedestrians will perform from 6 to 8 p.m.

Two Kalamazoo bars will hold midnight release parties. Shakespeare's Lower Level will hold a midnight release party starting at 8 p.m. March 23 featuring The Crane Wives and Slim Gypsy Baggage. This year's Oberon King or Queen will be crowned and prizes will be raffled. Cover is $5 at the door.

Old Burdick's Bar & Grill will hold an Oberon release party starting at 5 p.m March 23. Several beers will be tapped throughout the night, culminating with Oberon at midnight.

Here is a list of other Oberon release parties happening around Michigan to celebrate the summer beer:

March 23

Midnigh t Oberon Tapping: Ashley's Ann Arbor

Oberon Midnight Release: Silver Beach Pizza, St. Joseph

Midnight Oberon Release Party: Crunchy's, East Lansing with Laura Bell of Bell's Brewery

Midnight Oberon Release Party: Monelli's Italian Grill, Wyoming

March 24

Oberon Release Party: Tavern On The Square, Grand Rapids at 10 a.m. Oberon Release Party: Logan's Alley, Grand Rapids at 7 a.m. Oberon Pub Crawl: Various locations, downtown Ann Arbor at 11 a.m. Midnight Oberon Release at Gun Lake Casino Oberon Release Party at Shakespeare's Pub in Kalamazoo Oberon Release Party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wyoming at 11 a.m. Oberon Release Party at The Exchange in Lansing at 6 p.m. March 25 Oberon Release Party: The Grand Woods Lounge, Grand Rapids at 11 a.m. Oberon Release Party: Smokin' Johnny V's, Corunna at 7 p.m. March 26

Oberon Release Party: Beggar's Banquet, East Lansing at 8 p.m. Bell's Night: One Under Bar & Grill, Livonia at 8 p.m. March 27

Oberon Release Party: Peppino's, East Lansing at 6 p.m. Bell's Tap Takeover: Buck Shots Bar and Grille, Clarkston, at 6 p.m. March 28

Oberon Release Party: Dublin Square Irish Pub, East Lansing at 8 p.m. April 1