As we timidly crawl out of our winter hibernation and try to imagine going to classes and doing homework again, we need a glimmer of hope that spring is coming, and that means warm breezes, sunshine and spring break. Well, to help with the winter blues, here are six pale ales that will give you that glint of optimism in your eye and remind you that winter doesn’t last forever. Sláinte!

Hoegaarden Wit-Blanche

Brouwerij van Hoegaarden

Belgium

ABV: 4.9%

This “naturally cloudy” brew from across the pond literally looks and tastes like the brewers simply bottled a pleasant spring day in Belgium. On the pour, the color is like a cloud-covered sunshine, almost the creamy color of white chocolate. The carbonation gives it a certain brightness, but the natural sediment in the brew keeps that pearly sheen that many Belgian style ales have. With a whiff and a taste, one feels instantly transported to a field of flowers on the countryside. Brewed with a hint of coriander and orange peels, this smooth wheat beer has a subtle and surprising fruitiness perfect for looking forward to spring.

Cascade Pale Ale

Stevens Point Brewery

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

ABV: 5.4%

Point Brewery, with over 150 years in experience, absolutely did not disappoint with this smooth but hoppy pale ale. Even upon smelling, this beer is surprisingly earthy. The hop presence gives it a bit of a kick, but the finish is so smooth that it doesn’t cross the territory into the bitterness of an IPA. Its bright carbonation is refreshing and enhances the taste rather than distracts as it might in a cheaper canned beer. This is a beer that will wake up the senses from their winter dreaming with an energizing bite rather than a harsh kick in the a–. Perfect brunch beer.

Shiner Blonde

Spoetzl Brewery

Shiner, Texas

ABV: 4.4%

Much clearer in color than the last two, this almost champagne-looking alternative to Shiner Bock (a classic medium-bodied lager that one would be amiss not to love) is a great beer to use as an introduction to beer in general–A beer 101 brew. The clarity of this brew seems to take away some of the texture and flavor present in the other two, but it also makes it more drinkable and gives it a refreshing pop. Shiner Blonde doesn’t try to erase or balance the carbonation, but rather enhances it with light flavor and subtle wheat taste. This is a great beer to try if you originally thought, “Beer’s not my thing,” and need something light to help draw you into the taste complexity of a good brew.

Dixie

Dixie Brewing Company

New Orleans, Louisiana

4.6%

With a manageable opacity, this brew pours light golden with a subtle red tint—more of a strawberry blonde. The taste itself is sweet and almost creamy. Balancing this syrupy thickness is a slight carbonation that gives it a dry finish. Being a more saccharine choice of lighter beers, Dixie isn’t a brew to drink all night. It’s definitely a beer that should be paired with a meal, not the focus of attention, but rather a complement to something that has a similar texture and taste palate. This is a brew that would go well with a creamy seafood dish or to balance out the richness of Thai or other Asian foods.

Hefeweizen

Pyramid Breweries, Inc.

Seattle, Berkeley, and Portland

ABV: 5.2%

This unfiltered wheat ale pours a bight amber color with a hint of orange adding to the clarity. The aroma is a surprising Scotch whiskey smell mixed with a thick yeast or malted thickness. It’s thick but bright and the subtle carbonation balances the sweetness. With a strong wheat presence, this Bavarian style brew tastes like those spring days when you can take the back roads with your window down and don’t have to hurry to get anywhere. On the bottle, it claims to have a “smooth flavor worth sharing with friends,” and they are definitely right. This is a brew to be enjoyed just sitting for an evening, catching up from winter break and looking forward to spring break.

Kite Tail Summer Ale

O’Fallon Brewery

O’Fallon, Missouri

ABV: 4.5%

Pouring a pale yellow color, it’s clear that this is a brew for warm days and cool nights. It’s bright and seems to shine even, and its aroma has a subtle wheat and citrus presence. This extremely drinkable cream ale is much like the Shiner Blonde in its great introductory taste that says, “Hey, you don’t have to dive into the beer world head first. Just ease into it.” The balance between grain and lemon makes it complex enough to be noticeable but straightforward enough to not overwhelm the drinker. It’s crisp and clean, a refreshing beer to crack open to start the weekend.

So, ease into the semester with these invigorating brews that remind us that spring is coming soon. Drink well, drink and live.