[September 1, 2009, Abita Springs, LA]--It’s a hot summer’s day in Louisiana, there’s a party going on, the crawfish are boiling and people are sitting back and relaxing with a nice cold beer. But not just any beer, Abita Beer, homemade right here in Louisiana and made with the highest quality of ingredients. The water used to brew the beer comes directly from an artesian well in Abita Springs, Louisiana, hometown of the brewery. The water is so pure it doesn’t need to be treated in any way. Only the freshest, only the best, all of the time.
The Abita Brewing Company got its start in 1986 and brewed 1,500 barrels in its first year. It has grown significantly since that time and now brews around 80,000 barrels of beer every year. The people who keep the brewery running take great pride in the beers they brew. They have the beer making process down to a science and practice it as an art form. Everything matters- the taste, the smell, the color, even the way it pours.
The Abita Brewery boasts many flavorful varieties of beer. One of its more famous beers is Abita Amber, a Munich lager with a hint of caramel flavor and a beautiful amber color. Abita Amber was the first beer ever brewed at the brewery and is the best selling beer to this day.
Ryan Ackerman, a brewer at the Abita Brewing Company, says “I like brewing Amber the best because it has a distinct aroma that you can smell throughout the entire plant, more so than any of the other beers.”
Louisiana is known for its great food, great chefs and thanks to Abita, its great beer. It was only a matter of time before the three came together. Many Louisiana chefs incorporate Abita Amber into their recipes since it can be paired with just about anything.
Another one of their popular beers is Purple Haze, an American wheat beer made with raspberry puree. The raspberry gives the beer a slight purple color, a wonderful scent and an even better taste. Many people like to have Abita’s Purple Haze after a meal, as a dessert beer.
One cannot mention Abita’s beers without mentioning Turbodog, which is a dark brown ale with a chocolate taste and deep chocolate color. Turbodog was originally brewed as a specialty beer but as its popularity grew and it accumulated a huge fan base, it became one of the brewery’s staple beers as well as one of its best selling.
The Abita Brewery also brews seasonal beers, such as Christmas Ale, a dark ale with a spiced flavor. This recipe changes slightly each year, which adds to its uniqueness. Need a gift idea? A six pack of Abita Christmas Ale makes a great gift, ‘tis the season.
Andygator is also a favorite among Abita Beer fans. It contains a higher alcohol content than its other beers, 8 percent by volume and is sold as one of Abita’s new Big Beers, in a 22 ounce bottle. Andygator is a dopplebock or double bock, basically a double beer.
It is a standing tradition for breweries to give their Dopplebocks names that end in –ator, hence Andygator. This brew has a flavor on the sweet side due to its low content of hops, which is responsible for the bitter taste in beers.
The other Big Beer is Abbey Ale, a double ale, with a hint of fruits and cloves. For every bottle sold, 25 cents is donated to St. Joseph’s Abbey, which is a community of monks who dedicate their lives to prayer and to helping others.
If you aren’t a beer drinker, or just aren’t in the mood for one, you should try Abita’s Root Beer, which is a truly refreshing treat. Abita Root Beer differs from other root beers because it is sweetened with pure Louisiana cane sugar, instead of high fructose corn syrup, giving it an old time flavor. As you sip it you can just imagine yourself in the 1950s, sitting in a malt shop wearing a poodle skirt or a pair of cuffed jeans. Add a scoop of ice cream to really enhance that old-fashioned flavor.
The Abita Brewing Company also offers a tour of its facilities, which takes about an hour and is free of charge. You can see all of the various equipment and processes that keep the brewery running.
Carl McDaniels, also known as “Sparky,” the brewery’s electrician, says “I enjoy working here because it is constantly expanding and there is something different to do everyday.” Visitors will love the Tasting Room, where they can sample every available Abita Beer at the ‘pour your own’ beer bar.
Remember to always drink responsibly. Cheers!
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