Oberon Day is Monday. Here's where to celebrate in the Lansing area

EAST LANSING — Monday marks the official the start of a season in Michigan. 

Oberon season.

The day Bell's Oberon is back on tap at bars and on store shelves.

“It’s a sign of warmer days ahead — the beginning of spring in Michigan,” said Mike Krueger, the owner of Crunchy's in East Lansing. 

The seasonal beer from Bell's Brewery has become one of the most recognizable craft brews in the state. Monday marks the release of the beer in the 30-plus states Bell's distributes in.

The beer is available each year between March and August. It's available year round for folks in Florida and Arizona.

While fans of the American wheat ale can pick up the beer at local stores, there's also a handful of opportunities to celebrate at area establishments.

Crunchy's will host its 11th annual Oberon Day event on Sunday in anticipation of the beer's release. They'll serve 10 Bell's beers all day Sunday, including Uberon (whiskey barrel-aged Oberon) and Mango Hab Oberon (Oberon with pureed mango and habanero peppers added during fermentation). 

This year Oberon will be available at midnight. Laura Bell, the brewery's chief executive officer and a Michigan State grad, will be at Crunchy's to choose a King or Queen Oberon, who will get the first taste of the beer, Krueger said. 

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Krueger said the bar was one of Bell's earliest supporters and has had a longtime relationship with the Kalamazoo brewery. Laura Bell has been a mainstay at Crunchy's Oberon Day events.

“It’s just become a tradition for Laura to be here," he said. 

Along with Crunchy's, The Riv and Hopcat in East Lansing will also be hosting Oberon Day parties on Monday. The Riv will have $7 pitchers of Oberon. 

Grand Rapids-based distributor Alliance Beverage — which distributes Bell's in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties among others — plans to deliver 35,500 cases and kegs to its retailers in anticipation of Monday's release, the company said this week. 

Oberon is available in 6-pack and 12-pack bottles, 12-pack cans, 4-pack cans, mini-kegs and on draft. Oberon was originally released under the name Solsun, but the name was changed in 1998.

"Made with only 4 ingredients, and without the use of any spices or fruit, Oberon is the color and scent of a sunny afternoon," the Bell's website says.

Contact reporter Haley Hansen at (517) 267-1344 or hhansen@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @halehansen.