While sports fans feel the hype of March Madness, movie fanatics prepare for the spring and summer blockbuster season.
While the trailers for movies like Spring Breakers made me literally LOL (James Franco’s character is priceless), releases like Jurassic Park 3-D, Evil Dead, Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness have me pumped!
In the beer world, spring marks the transition from dark seasonal porters, stouts and winter warmers to light, fruity and hoppy spring beers. So I’m not only presenting you with the best new movies for spring, but the best new seasonal brews to go along with them.
Dine-in movie theaters and pretty trendy right now, and many of them carry a pretty decent beer selection on tap. Whether you have plans to torrent from home, view from a fancy dinner and booze theater or are a “classy” person who likes to BYOB to the movies, check out the best from beer and movies to look forward to this spring.
Jurassic Park 3-D, April 5
Watch Dr. Grant and the gang run for their lives from raptors and the infamous Tyrannosaurus-Rex. . . in 3-D! So it’s like you’re right there, about to be eaten alive too. Steven Spielberg’s original “Jurassic Park” is a three-time Academy Award-winning classic. Note, if you are ever asked to accompany someone on a dinosaur island vacation, don’t go!
For this release, consider Widmere Brother’s Columbia Common or Alaskan Brewing’s Alaskan Birch Bock. The Widmere Brothers brought the nearly extinct Columbia hop back to life for their spring seasonal brew. The beer’s grassy undertones, a fruity character and clean finish while Alaskan’s Birch Bock embodies the woody character of the Pacific Northwest— a Doppelbock-style beer that’s a little wild.
Evil Dead, April 5
Not many remakes are better than the first, but the new Evil Dead looks pretty awesome. From the previews, we can tell it’s not holding back. Projectile blood-vomit, people completely losing their minds, death by chainsaw and blood and gore so intense you won’t be able to contain your sounds of disgust and horror. One can only hope that the movie lives up to the completely insane trailer.
Ommegang’s limited release Art of Darkness Ale won’t attach to your soul and turn you and all of your friends into demonic crazy people, but the 8.9 percent ABV in the 750 ml bottle may get you feeling a little crazy. The brewers of Art of Darkness call the beer “dark and magical,” with a rich maltiness and champagne-like character, rich aromas and a noticeable spiciness. If hops are your thing, try Unslope’s signature pale ale, made with a unique spicy hop bitterness with a finish that’s dry and crisp— perfect for a murderous camping adventure in the woods.
Iron Man 3, May 3
Tony Stark is back for a third time with his lovely lady, a new enemy and, from the looks of the trailer, a sleeping disorder. Will he get it together in time to save himself, his girl and the world? You’re going to have to watch to find out. Although, if you’ve read the comics you already know.
Stark is an intense, complicated guy, and Green Flash’s Palate Wrecker is the most complicated West Coast-inspired IPA from the brewery— a perfect match. The brew is so good it took home the bronze medal for best Imperial IPA at last year’s World Beer Cup.
Star Trek Into Darkness, May 5
Captain Kirk and the crew are back, this time with the discovery of something (or someone) capable of terrible things within their own organization, according to IMDB. The anticipated movie looks to be an intense ride, hopefully all the beloved characters make it out alive!
Solace, sun, space, it all seems to go together right? Firestone Walker’s seasonal wheat beer Solace is a refreshing burst of citrus and clove. Port Brewing’s Midnight Expression is a roasty dark Schwarzbier lager that’s perfect if lighter, wheaty flavors aren’t your thing.