A sure sign of summer is coming even earlier this year.

Because people in upstate New York need some more sunshine right now, the Genesee Brewery is releasing its beloved Ruby Red Kolsch on April 2 in the Rochester and Buffalo markets.

"Thought we could deliver a little early sunshine to everyone," Mary Beth Popp, FIFCO USA (Genny's parent company) vice president of corporate relations, said in a text message after I asked her about the release. "Hopefully, people will get a nice surprise on an upcoming shopping trip."

The beer is expected to land in Syracuse and other markets between April 7 and 9.

Genny's RRK is really the perfect warm-weather beer. At 4.8 percent alcohol, it is both crisp and refreshing. And it has just a hint of hop bitterness that blends gorgeously with the added grapefruit extract.

A kölsch is usually lower in alcohol content and perfect for those humid summer days. It originated in Cologne, Germany. A kölsch is fermented with an ale yeast at warmer temperates and then, just like a lager, it is conditioned in cool temperatures for an extended period of time.

The first RRK was released in 2018 and became social-media sensation. I couldn't log into Facebook without seeing posts about the beer. And because production was limited to 1,000 barrels that first year, I saw a ton of posts where people were asking friends where they saw the beer.

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Production was increased to 7,500 barrels last year, meaning the beer supply actually lasted into the summer. Expect that to be the case again this year.

The initial spark for the beer came from the Genny brand team. A challenge was made to brewers in late 2017 to come up with a seasonal release to bridge the gap between Genesee Bock and Oktoberfest. (The brewery has seen added Schwarzbier, a black lager, to its seasonal release calendar.)

Popp encouraged consumers to support local breweries and businesses as much as they can. If you can, please consider purchasing locally to keep these businesses afloat during these uncertain times.

"All NYS breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries continue to operate," Popp said. "And smaller breweries are promoting curbside pick up to keep their breweries going."

Here's a list of how 61 Rochester-area breweries and cideries are dealing with the pandemic.

Contact Will Cleveland at wcleveland@democratandchronicle.com or at 585-258-2325. Follow him on Twitter @willcleveland13, Facebook @willcleveland13, and Instagram @clevelandroc. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.