Which author's second work out did his first? Who remembers the sophomore record by last year's big new band? That is sort of the feeling which I approach this, the declaration of the second beer style for The Session, the monthly global multi-blog-a-rama of beery goodness that was triggered by Stan. Actually, now that I think of it, it won't really be monthly until the second one gets of the ground. Which means I have to make the call as to the style we will all try on Friday, April 6 2007. Here are my thoughts so far.

First I thought "Stouts!" but, dangnation, Stan already did that one. I was a little cheesed that he did not pick a February start date and leave stouts to me as it is something of the basket weaving course of beer styles. Really...they are everywhere...everyone can get their hands on one - one brewer in Maine makes five or so and the style has the world's biggest beer party associated with it this month. Ok, ok - "let it go" I hear you say...so I will. But I would have been great at March. Just saying.

OK, so I'll make it an April beer. If Stan can tie the beer to the month, then so shall I. I was thinking that there was something I could find out about from Phil Markowski' book Farmhouse Ales but, dang it all, saison is short for saison d'ete and biere de garde is related to biere de Mars - beers for the August and September harvest or for preparing the fields in March. Dang it all!

What else? There has been plenty talk of bocks over here in the comments. Apparently they were brewed in preparation for Lent. But even that is a time mostly in March this year. Heck, didn't it started February. Plus I know zippo about bocks as this recent post proved.

What a business! I was going no where. I had to do some hunting and found this reference in 1999 to Finnish Easter beer being brewed by Sinebrychoff, makers of that Baltic porter:

Easter beers have long-standing traditions in Scandinavia, especially in Denmark, and in the Baltics in Estonia. Sinebrychoff introduced this domestically produced, dark and richly hopped Easter beverage for the first time in Finland last year. A Finnish Easter beer in the Finnish taste, said Brewery Master, Production Director Kimmo Jaaskelainen when he profiled the product for the first time last year.

But there is a germ of an idea there: what do you really want in April? Frankly, I want an ale and one with some strength to get you warmed after a cold day turning half frozen soil. Something that can stand the keeping through the winter. Something with some flavour to match the warming of the earth. Something with an ecclesiastical aspect. I have just the thing in mind...

Everyone can get their hands on one with a little hunting and every one loves them...or should love them...because I love them. Here are a few of my favorites and here is the Beer Advocate's style description page with a gazillion examples of dubbels that anyone anywhere can spend the next few weeks hunting out and taste testing, sifting though to pick the perfect brew for discussing.