Has the moment arrived when, after a summer of light beers, you suddenly find yourself eyeing something maltier and fuller-bodied? Then, just as you’ve picked your favourite autumn beer, winter arrives, and before long, the first warming rays of spring sunshine bring you back to the courtyard at Élesztő, enjoying a refreshing summer beer once again. As the weather changes, so does what tastes best in your glass. But what makes beers and drinks seasonal, and will people really look at you funny if you order a pilsner in January? Let’s take a look at the year, one season at a time.
What Does It Actually Mean for a Beer to Be Seasonal?
Seasonal beers and drinks aren’t tied to a particular time of year because you’re not allowed to drink them during other seasons. Rather, ingredients, brewing traditions, holidays, and, of course, the weather have shaped the way we associate certain styles with particular times of the year.
In summer, lighter, more refreshing beers tend to hit the spot, while the colder months bring out maltier, fuller-bodied brews. There are also traditions specifically linked to certain seasons: think Oktoberfest beers or winter and festive brews. But the rule is simple: drink whatever you enjoy most!
Autumn – Time for Something Maltier
As the evenings grow cooler, a slightly fuller-bodied beer can be just what you need. This is the perfect time to explore Märzen and Oktoberfest beers, while amber ales, brown ales, and other brews with caramel-like, malty flavours also fit the season beautifully.
Märzen is a particularly interesting autumn classic, with a history closely intertwined with Oktoberfest. So, if you want to celebrate the fact that it’s finally no longer 35°C in the shade with a pint in hand, this is a great place to start.
In America, Spices and Pumpkin Take Centre Stage
Across the Atlantic, particularly among American craft breweries, autumn has developed its own distinctive flavour profile. This is when pumpkin ales make their appearance. Alongside pumpkin itself, or sometimes instead of it, spices traditionally associated with American pumpkin pie—such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice—often give these beers their characteristic autumnal flavour.
They’re not an essential part of the season, and they’re less prominent in Europe, but if you’ve ever wondered what “sweater weather” would taste like in a beer, you probably won’t find a closer match.
Winter – Bring on the Big Guns
When you’re pulling your coat zipper all the way up to your chin, it’s time for some seriously characterful beers. Winter is when porters, stouts, imperial stouts, barley wines, and stronger barrel-aged beers really come into their own. Roasted, coffee, chocolate, caramel, and vanilla notes are common, while the alcohol content is often higher than in lighter summer brews.
Winter and Christmas beers also make their appearance at this time of year, with spices often adding to their festive character. These are beers to sip and savour slowly: an imperial stout at around 10% ABV isn’t necessarily something you’ll drink at the same pace as a summer lager.
Spring – Time for the First Beers Outdoors
As spring afternoons grow warmer, it’s finally time for something refreshing in your glass, too. Saison, blonde ale, pale ale, and wheat beer can all be excellent choices in spring, while bock beers also have a strong seasonal tradition at this time of year.
Saison carries a sense of seasonality right in its name. Traditionally brewed in the French-Belgian border region during the cooler months, it was intended to be enjoyed later, during the summer agricultural season. Of course, you can find it all year round nowadays, but its dry, lively, often fruity and spicy flavour profile makes it a particularly appealing choice in spring.
And when the sun comes out? All you need is a free table in the Élesztő courtyard.
Summer – When You Need Something Truly Refreshing
When temperatures climb above 30°C—and these days, sometimes even 40°C—the question usually isn’t which beer you’d like to sip for three hours in front of a fireplace. Instead, it’s time for pilsners, lagers, session IPAs, wheat beers, gose, and other sour beers, which can offer crisp, dry, citrusy, and refreshing flavours that work beautifully in the heat. If the evening stretches on, it’s also worth exploring lower-alcohol or alcohol-free beers.
At Élesztő’s courtyard, the strategy is simple: check what’s currently available on the 30 taps, and ask the staff if you’re looking for an easy-drinking summer beer. Then all that’s left is finding a shady spot.
Beers by the Calendar – What Would We Choose at Élesztő?
All right, we’ve covered the theory, but what should you actually order? Élesztő’s tap list is constantly changing: when one keg runs dry, something new can take its place. The beers below are therefore examples of brews that feature in our selection. If one isn’t currently on tap, ask our team what similar styles are available instead.
| Season | What to look for | Examples from Élesztő’s selection |
| Autumn | Maltier ales, amber/red lagers | Élesztő Vörös, Bookkeepers’ Bitter Ale – Etyeki Sörmanufaktúra |
| Winter | Stouts, porters, stronger dark beers | Morning Joe – Horizont, Milk Stout – Cecei Sörüzem |
| Spring | Witbier, pale ale, saison | Belgian Witbier – FIRST Craft Beer, Hopjuliska – UGAR |
| Summer | Pilsners, lighter IPAs, fruitier beers | Pils – Fehér Nyúl, Unfiltered IPA – Cecei Sörüzem |
Of course, the calendar is more of a compass than a rulebook. If you fancy a pilsner in winter or a stout catches your eye on the tap list in summer, go for it. Seasonal beers and drinks are simply there to give you a few ideas—the final decision about what goes in your glass is always yours.
The Year Isn’t Just About Beer
If you’re not in the mood for beer, you can also think seasonally when exploring the Spirit Bar. In autumn, for example, a spiced rum or a more characterful pálinka might hit the spot, while winter is a great time to explore the whisky selection. A premium spirit to sip slowly can be the perfect companion to a cold evening.
In spring and summer, you might find yourself gravitating towards gin. Enjoy it neat, in a gin and tonic, or as the base for a citrus-forward cocktail. And if you don’t have anything specific in mind, simply tell the bartender whether you’re after something sweeter, sourer, more bitter, or seriously strong. There’s plenty to choose from at Spirit Bar.
And If You Want a Pilsner in January…
Then order a pilsner. Seasonal beers and drinks don’t mean the time of year gets to decide what you’re allowed to have in your glass. Instead, they offer a great excuse to step outside your usual routine every now and then and try a style you might otherwise overlook.
And if a cold pilsner is exactly what you fancy in the middle of January? Cheers! The beer calendar is a compass, not a rulebook.
So, What Should You Order?
There’s no single answer that works all year round—and that’s precisely what makes it fun. The beers on Élesztő’s taps are constantly changing, while the shelves at Spirit Bar always offer something new to discover, even when hops aren’t what you’re in the mood for.
Check what’s on tap, ask our bar staff for a recommendation, or try something you’ve never tasted before. Seasonal beers and drinks provide the inspiration, but the next round is up to you.
See you at 22 Tűzoltó Street! Grab a seat and discover Élesztő for yourself. You get 30 taps to choose from, and your four-legged companion gets an evening with their favourite human. We think that’s a pretty fair deal.