Evolution Sprung

Where in Town: YES! Organic Market, 4100 Georgia Ave. NW

Price: $10.99/six-pack

The Winter of Our Discontent

The polar vortex has made this winter one of the coldest in D.C. history—and one of the longest. At least it feels that way. Where the hell is spring anyway? A day warm enough to enjoy a cold one on the porch is inevitably followed by yet another blast of snow. As if these teases weren’t enough, spring seasonals have risen like daffodils at many local shops and restaurants, mocking us with their images of birds and sunshine. Despite another snowy forecast, I finally succumbed to the temptation and picked up a six-pack. 

A Case of Unfortunate Timing

Sprung has been Evolution’s spring release since the brewery debuted in southern Delaware in 2009. This year’s version, released on New Year’s Day, hails from Evolution’s new digs in Salisbury, Md. The golden ale, brewed with honey, chamomile, and hibiscus, is light bodied and light on the booze—only 4.9 percent alcohol. Its sweet, herbal flavor comes with hints of citrus. Sprung is a gulper, not a sipper: Left out too long, a low-carbonation beer like this begins to resemble weak, tepid tea—not something most people would choose to drink in any season. When the weather finally warms up, I’d suggest sticking with Evolution’s refreshing Lot #3 IPA. Better yet, any day is a good day to try one of their complex Migration or Menagerie series of wood-aged brews.

Photo by Tammy Tuck