Ask a Bartender: Why are The Seasonal Beers Changing so Soon?
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Pam Martin, GoLocalProv Ask A Bartender Columnist
All good things must come to an end—and that rings especially true this month. First we had to say goodbye to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and now, perhaps before we’ve had our last good cry about that, we have to say goodbye to summer brews. Unlike Jon Stewart, no one gave us a final date to prepare us for this slow and painful change. You just sat down at your favorite bar this week and there, staring you in the face was a beady-eyed pumpkin with a devilish grin. Why, in the first weeks of August, is the beer industry trying to pry summer from our well-tanned, sandy hands?
Seasonal brews have been hitting the market earlier and earlier every season, but normally we greet the change with a smile. Who in New England wasn’t happy to see Samuel Adams Cold Snap added to the tap as early as February? We welcome the change to warm weather and all the notions of spring and summer with open arms. Like true New Englanders, though, we have a hard time letting go.
“Despite all of the comments about it being too soon, the new seasonal beers are usually the best selling. Everyone is always looking for something they couldn’t have for the last nine months,” says beer salesman and connoisseur Christopher, of Worcester.
Being the first to offer customers something they haven’t had, and can’t get anywhere else is a key driver in seasonal beers hitting the market earlier each year. To stay competitive, many bars will risk rustling some feathers with patrons to make a spot for the next season’s tap. “Whoever gets on draft at a bar first will usually retain that spot for the rest of the season,” add Christopher. It’s a win-win for distributors, business owners, and the select few who are curious about what this fall has in store for our palettes.
It starts off as a slow trickle at first. One line on a bar’s draft system. A couple of cases at the entrance of your neighborhood liquor store. And then, they rip the Band-Aid off and before you pass the Bourne bridge for Labor Day weekend it’s Halloween decorations, and pumpkin-spiced Febreze, and “Oh my God! Is that a vanilla porter?!” But where did all the shandies go? Christopher explains, “because consumer demand is so high for the new items, current seasonal offerings get pushed aside and risk not selling.” Distributors have planned accordingly. They don’t want to get stuck with leftover stock that won’t sell. Nor do restaurant and bar owners want to store kegs of what is technically last season’s beer. A little supply and demand logic, with a lot of disappointment.
Some people may have enjoyed an Oktoberfest while watching the Patriots play this week. Keep it in the privacy of your own home, or the quiet comfort of a bar stool. Don’t be that person who shows up to the Labor Day cookout with the pumpkin beer. Save it for Columbus Day weekend when everyone is whining about their first sighting of Harpoon Winter Warmer in between bites of their double-pumpkin mocha chip pie while planning their Black Friday shopping.
Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Related Slideshow: 10 Great Restaurants For Outdoor Dining in RI
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Spring House Hotel
Attention Rhode Islanders! Time to get your passport out and go to Block Island. Sitting on the deck of the Spring House and sipping a cocktail is one of the treats of the summer in Rhode Island, and you really should make the trek.
The hotel itself celebrates its 160th season this year and the dining room opens for the season in June. The Spring House always hits the right notes with fresh seafood and inventively prepared meats and poultry. We are here for the view though, and this one can’t be beat.
There is something relaxing about looking out at the ocean while the sun sets behind you and thinking that the next stop is Portugal. 52 Spring St. 466-5844
View Larger +
Prev
Next
The Ocean House
Oh, the Ocean House…how you lure us with your siren song of top-notch dining, exquisite cocktails and a breathtaking view of Long Island Sound. This is a place that you can visit several times a summer and have a different experience every time. Eat at Seasons and have a world-class dining experience.
You can sit on the Verandah and enjoy freshly shucked seafood. You can enjoy a more casual dining experience in the Bistro. Or you can walk just a few feet from your blanket to the Dune Cottage and enjoy the incredible snacks without getting out of that new bathing suit. We chose the last option and were treated to the best alfresco dining has to offer.
After a swim and some tan-time, we ventured over and got a refreshing summer cocktail and a sandwich that will make you forget all those pull-cart beach meals you’ve bought in the past. This would be good even if we had shoes on! 1 Bluff Ave, 315-0579.
View Larger +
Prev
Next
BLU on the Water
You’ll be anything but “blue” when you take in the sights, scents and sounds of thishttp://www.bluonthewater.com" target="_blank"> lively waterfront restaurant and lounge located in the heart of East Greenwich. Delicious seafood, live entertainment and waterfront dining combine for the perfect dining experience.
What's better than some delectable local oysters and a delicious BLU cocktail? How about getting the oysters for $1 each? You can do just that every Monday-Thursday from 3pm-5pm* (except holidays) on Rhode Island's largest waterfront deck! 20 Water St., 885-3700
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Coast Guard House
This is a view that can only be matched by the mouthwatering taste of fresh seafood and other menu delights. Here you’ll find local history graced with modern-day luxury. This historic lifesaving station, built of solid granite in 1881 in the glory days of Narragansett pier’s summer resort community, overlooks Narragansett Bay from all angles.
It was converted to a restaurant in he 1960s and has since become the epitome of open air, seaside dining. Also a wonderful choice for weddings and parties. Winter dining available indoors, with the same spectacular wave-crashing view from the dining room windows. 40 Ocean Rd, 789-0700
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Café Nuovo
Whenever you’re down city, Café Novo is a great choice for chic, casually elegant dining, especially when taking in a Waterfire. Located a the mouth of the Gondola Landing along Providence’s cobblestoned Riverwalk, you’ll have a front and center seat overlooking the flaming embers, while also enjoying scenic city views and a heavenly fusion of American regional, European, Asian and Island flavors.
IF you’ve never been there, you have to go! 1 Citizens Place, 421-2525
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Lola’s Tequila Bar
It’s CInco de Mayo everyday at Lola’s Tequila Bar and Cantina, where you can take a trip south of the border by way of the capital city. Lola’s waterfront deck has colorful picnic tables and umbrellas so you can enjoy favorite Mexican classics as well gluten-free, vegetarian & vegan options.
The $4 house margaritas are to die for and plenty of other drink and food specials. Great entertainment adds to the nightlife. Ole! 525 S. Water St., 383-0220
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Ogie’s Trailer Park
Ogie's Trailer Park, one of the coolest places around! This trailer park-themed restaurant and bar is a great hot spot on the city’s West Side. Pull up a chair in front of a fire pit and order some tasty and uniquely creative comfort food, liked the grilled peanut butter and fluff sandwich, from a food truck style menu. Fun atmosphere, fun food and drinks, and fun night out! Be sure to check out what doubles as a planter.
1155 Westminster St, 383-8200
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Chelo's on the Waterfront
Chelo’s Hometown Bar and Grill restaurants have been a family favorite across the state since the first one opened in 1955. Their Warwick Waterfront location is always a fan-favorite, especially in the summertime. Located on Greenwich Bay, there are great views of the bayside and boats, plenty of outside and lawn seating, fire pits, four bars, kid-friendly menus and don’t forget all those piled-high desserts.
1 Masthead Dr, 884-3000,
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Boat House Restaurant
Newport Restaurant Group made this a must-visit spot several years ago and now the expected accolades have followed. The Boat House was voted one of the top 50 waterfront dining spots in the country by opentable.com and we couldn’t agree more.
The views of Mount Hope Bay are unparalleled. We love to sip some wine with a snack or three while watching the sunset. The chef is known for a well-balanced menu of seasonal treats that uses locally sourced seafood in creative ways.
Enjoy a nice glass of wine with some lobster fritters that had sweet corn and a chipotle mayo and followed that with pan-roasted George’s Bank scallops with a delightful spring pea risotto, pea greens from Allen Farm and a citrus emulsion. It was a perfect night! 227 Schooner Dr, 624-6300,
View Larger +
Prev
Next
Top of Newport
One of the state’s hidden secrets is about to be told to you…imagine a place in Newport that is secluded, has tasty food and entertainment, and has one of the best views in all of New England.
The Top of Newport is the al fresco bar atop the venerable Hotel Viking. Four stories above the din of Bellevue Avenue, and at the highest point in the City by the Sea, this is one cool place.
Creative American food, impeccable service and a view that includes all the bridges and the bay, you definitely have a winner. It’s so nice to be above it all – literally! 1 Bellevue Ave, 847-3300
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
