With March comes the NCAA Tournament. However, in beer-related news, March also means the seasonal return of Bell's Brewery's beloved Oberon Ale.

“I think we’re all ready to put winter away and say hello to warmer weather with an annual tradition: raising that first Oberon of the season,” said Larry Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery, in a release.

A 5.8 percent ABV American Wheat Beer, Oberon features a silky smooth mouthfeel and lightly spicy flavor profile.

The full release from Bell's is below.

COMSTOCK, Mich. – Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns March 25th, signaling the end of winter and return of summer.

Bars, restaurants, retail locations and fans will celebrate Oberon’s return with midnight tappings, release parties, pub crawls and other special events throughout the week.

“I think we’re all ready to put winter away and say hello to warmer weather with an annual tradition: raising that first Oberon of the season,” said Larry Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery.

“We’ll see if Mother Nature agrees, but we already have spring training (baseball) and between the two, that’s a good start,” he said. 

pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon will collaborate with Higgins Restaurant in Portland for the iconic establishment's 25th anniversary.

In honor of the occasion, pFriem will release Higgins Farmhouse Ale to honor this milestone anniversary for Oregon's first farm-to-table restaurant.

The full release from pFriem and Higgins is below.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Higgins, Oregon’s original farm-to-table restaurant, is observing a quarter-century in business this year, and has released a special anniversary ale in collaboration with pFriem Family Brewers to celebrate the milestone. 

Higgins Anniversary Ale is a Belgian-style farmhouse saison made with Calamondin oranges, cardamon, and green peppercorn. Featuring notes of lemon and spice, it finishes  delicate and dry. The beer was a collaborative effort of James Beard award-winning chef Greg Higgins; chef de cuisine Patrick Strong; beer steward Pauly Miller; and the brewers at pFriem Family Brewers. 

Higgins Anniversary Ale is currently available on draft only at the restaurant, located at 1239 SW Broadway and Jefferson, and at pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River. It is also available in a limited number of cage and cork 375ml bottles at Higgins, Belmont Station in SE Portland, and John’s Marketplace in SW Portland. 

Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville, North Carolina will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary.

To do so, of course, an anniversary beer is in order, and on this occasion, the fabled North Carolina brewery will collaborate with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co alongside independent, family-owned hop and malt suppliers including Riverbend Malthouse, Briess Malting, Crosby Hop Farms, Roy Farms, and CLS Farms.

The beer, called Rustic IPA, features an interesting blend of hops including Motueka, Zappa, Azacca and Strata varietals that lend notes of tropical fruit and lemongrass to the brew, according to a release from the brewery.

The full release can be found here.

Worthy Brewing in Bend, Oregon has announced a brand refresh that has led to redesigned cans, as well as two new year-round beers.

Joining the brewery's Lights Out Stout, Worthy IPA and Strata IPA will be new year-round offerings of Secret Spot Pacific Pale and Sol Power Pilsner.

The full release from Worthy is below.

BEND, OR. – On Monday, March 25, 2019, Worthy Brewing is soft-launching its new cans, new merchandise, and serious yet playful mantra ‘Earth First. Beer Second.’

“In the past, our cans have always been sort of stand-alone brands,” said Roger Worthington, Worthy’s Owner. “Now, they’re consistent and boldly portray the Worthy logo, making it easier for our customers to find the Worthy six-pack they’re looking for.”

Each can portrays Worthy’s mantra, ‘Earth First. Beer Second.’ on the label, along with Worthy’s commitment, ‘Worthy donates a % of sales to Earth-friendly non-profits,’ which speaks to Worthy’s dedication to environmental stewardship.

“I’ve always been an advocate for our planet and science education,” said Worthington. “We continue to take baby steps in the right direction. We all believe in it. And it just makes sense to communicate that commitment through our branding and cans.”

Reformation Brewery in Woodstock, Georgia has announced the release of the newest version of its Nolan the Wanderer rotating IPA series.

This rendition of the beer is brewed with Golden Promise heirloom malts and dry hopped with the luscious Cashmere hop varietal.

The beer is available now throughout Reformation's distribution footprint in Tennessee and Georgia.

The full release from the brewery is below.

ATLANTA – As warmer weather finally reaches the South, Georgia’s Reformation Brewery celebrates the change in seasons with a new release for their IPA series, Nolan The Wanderer. Always changing, the series seeks to explore trends with small batch, seasonal releases in the IPA style category, and has three new releases scheduled for 2019.

The latest version, Nolan #004, is described as a Golden Cashmere IPA that is “Hazy, delicately sweet, with notes of silky mango & wisps of papaya, featuring generous Cashmere dry hop additions, a touch of oats, and Golden Promise heirloom malts.”

The Cicerone Certification Program, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, has announced a new step and course for those who wish to complete Cicerone or Beer Server training.

“We set out to create an educational series with two goals in mind,” said Ray Daniels, founder and director of the Cicerone Certification Program, in a release. “First, to recognize individuals who want to enhance their credentials beyond Certified Beer Server but don’t want to take the Certified Cicerone exam, and second, to help those preparing for higher-level exams. The Road to Cicerone series accomplishes both goals.”

The Beer Style Course covers a comprehensive range of American beer history, brewing methods, service and styles. 

The full release from the CCP is below.

CHICAGO – The Cicerone Certification Program has announced the addition of the American Beer Styles coursebook and specialist exam to its Road to Cicerone education series. These courses educate beer professionals looking to set themselves apart in the industry.

Heavy Seas Beer in Baltimore, Maryland have announced the second release from the brewery's new 15 barrel brewhouse.

Sun Blink Raspberry Lemon sour will be released from the brewery in four-packs of 16-ounce cans.

The full release from Heavy Seas is below.

BALTIMORE — Heavy Seas Beer is excited to announce the second release from its 15 Barrel Brewhouse in 2019, Sun Blink, a Raspberry Lemon Sour. This beer will be exclusively available in the Heavy Seas Taproom at the brewery on April 5, 2019 in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.

This refreshingly tart and juicy sour ale is bursting with raspberries and lemons to deliver the most satisfying can of sunshine ever made. Brewed just in time to snap you out of your winter funk, Sun Blink is here to get you ready for sunny days and clear skies. Don’t blink because this beer will be gone as soon as it bursts through the clouds!

The Sun Blink label artwork was designed by local Baltimore artist Owen Murphy, of One Drop Design Studio, who also designed the labels for Joose Cannon and Heavy Seas’ 23 Anniversary beer. All the taproom exclusive beer labels will be designed by Owen in 2019.

About Sun Blink

• Style: Sour Ale with fruit
• ABV: 4.5 percent
• IBU: 10
• Hops: Strisselspalt
• Malts: 2-Row, Raw Wheat, Oats