International Beverage Company

As the weather warms up, new and seasonal beers spring up like daisies. 

One brewery that always has something new is Vermont's Magic Hat. This season the company is offering a Spring Fever variety 12-pack that includes its classic, the malty #9, Lucky Kat IPA, American Wheat Pale Ale from their Odd Notion series (which is super hoppy!) and a new spring beer called Vinyl, a smoother amber lager perfect for warmer weather. 

Always a popular summer drink is the shandy, which traditionally is lemonade mixed with beer. Leinenkugel makes a bottled version of a shandy, which is more like lemon-flavored beer, but it's lovely. 

A beer-lovers' standard, Samuel Adams also has a summer beer. Its Summer Ale is made with malted wheat, lemon zest and a rare pepper from Africa called grains of paradise. 

To find these beers and others that are great for spring and summer sipping, ask an expert at finer beer and wine retailers. 

Upcoming Beer/Wine Events

Wine Tasting at Champane's Wine Cellars: Sample a variety of Cabernet Sauvignons. 6-8 tonight. $20. 7007 Chicago Road, Warren. (586) 268-4900. 

Pint Night at Holiday Market: Try pints of six local beers on draft along with gourmet snacks like pulled pork sliders and buffalo chicken pizza. 6-10 p.m. Fri. $3-$5 per pint. 1203 S. Main St., Royal Oak. (248) 541-1414. 

Dark Horse Brewing Co. Tasting at Whole Foods: Enjoy an in-store pint, or take home a growler from Dark Horse Brewing Co. 5-7 p.m. April 16. $3 pints, $15-$20 growlers. 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. (734) 997-7500. 

Beers vs. Wine at Melting Pot Ann Arbor: A wine expert and a beer expert face off to prove which libation goes better with Melting Pot's fondue menu. Event includes a three-course fondue dinner, three wine samples and three beer samples from New Holland Brewery, plus a trivia game with prizes. 8-10 p.m. April 20. $39. 309 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 622-0055. 

Cheers to HELP at D'Amato's: A benefit for the Health Emergency Lifeline Programs (HELP); enjoy a night out with eight wines to taste, appetizers and a silent auction. 7-9:30 p.m. April 23. $35. 222 S. Sherman St., Royal Oak. (248) 584-7400. 

Speakeasy-themed evening at Cliff Bell's: The Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company and Warren's Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. have teamed up for a night of 13 beers, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live music and comedy. 1920s attire is required. 8 p.m.-midnight April 24. $75, $140 per couple. 2080 Park Ave., Detroit. (586) 979-8361 or www.kbrewery.com for tickets



** Article was taken directly from the Detroit News. For more info or to contact Melody Beatens directly at mbaetens@detroitnews.com **