Greetings to you all!

It does not exactly look like spring, with the classic April snowstorm that just hit us, but it's close enough to be time for my fourth annual spring beer preview.

The change of seasons from winter to summer inspires most northerners without a doubt. Brewers are especially energized for warm-weather brews as we emerge from winter hibernation.

The icebreaking of cold to warm weather beers can be sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic. The truth is with so many great beers being brewed these days, the "seasonal" tag is not as big a deal as it was 10 years ago. It's the "new" beer tag that folks are really enjoying, and nothing says "new" like spring.

Let's start by highlighting some beers from our many great local breweries. The growth of the brewing community in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin has really made it easy to focus on really good beers being brewed right in our backyard.

Blacklist Brewery - Makrut Lime Wit

A Belgian-style Wit that highlights unmalted wheat and spices (orange peel and coriander) in a refreshing approachable beer with the twist the brewery adds lime leaves that impart a unique aroma of vibrant floral and citrus.

Castle Danger Brewery - White Pine IPA

The White Pine Project IPA is a beer with a purpose - to help reinstate the white pine population along the North Shore. The IPA is outstanding with strong fruit, pine and citrus notes. Another beer I'm excited for is Summer Crush, a favorite of mine brewed with Sorachi Ace, one of the few Japanese hop varieties available to brewers. Seek this one out.

Bent Paddle Brewery - Kanu Session Pale Ale

As I mention on occasion, pale ale is the backbone of modern craft beer, IPA notwithstanding. So, this new classic from Bent Paddle is bound to make the list. Wonderfully drinkable with a bright and assertive hop profile, this beer will make your fishing opener (always freezing out) warm and cozy.

Earth Rider Brewery - Rasbecrush Tart

A fruit beer should always be represented in the spring preview. This raspberry kettle sour blends wheat, sour ale and raspberries. Refreshing, mouth puckering and perfect for your first few beers of the weekend - or the day.

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Make sure to visit our great local brewpubs like Canal Park Brewery and Fitger's Brewhouse as well. They constantly offer new beers. I recommend checking their websites for the latest offerings, as they often change week to week and consistently offer the widest selection around.

A few more great spring beers to mention from around Minnesota and the U.S. that are available in your local beer stores:

• Lift Bridge Mango Blonde

• Summit Hefeweizen and Lazy Sipper

• Founders Solid Gold

• 21st Amendment Heaven or Hell or High Watermelon

• Surly Hell

• Indeed Brewery B-side Pils

• Schell's Framboise Du Nord

• Fair State Brewing Roselle

• Odell Rupture

• Sierra Nevada Summerfest (getting a big jump on spring) and Otra Vez, a nice gose beer brewed with grapefruit

I've mentioned several specific beers, but there are great styles of beer to look for. After months of cold weather, look for these styles to enjoy as the days get longer:

• Maibocks are truly refreshing malty and clean beers.

• Lagers - lighter beers that taste great like pilsner, helles, can-classic American or continental lager.

• Fruit-based beers.

• Brown ales, ambers and sweeter browns are easy to enjoy and a nice break from the hoppy beers.

• Ciders are always a good, refreshing choice. And there are a lot to choose from, sweet to tart and dry. Minnesota currently has many excellent cideries, such as Milk and Honey and Loon Juice.

I'm getting a little ahead of myself as I dream of summer, but I also want to throw out a nod to our own local distillery: Vikre. They have an excellent selection of very cool and delicious gins that are great warm-weather mixers.

Dave Hoops lives and works in Duluth and is a veteran brewer and beer judge. Contact him at dave@hoopsbrewing.com.