Abita Brewing Company Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat Brew

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Abita Brewing Company Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat Brew as I continue on with my “drinking Abita in New Orleans” special.  I had heard a lot of good things about Purple Haze and since I’m a Jimi Hendrix fan I figure this is a must drink if not merely for the name.

From the Abita Brewing Company website:” Purple Haze is a crisp, American style wheat beer with raspberry puree added after filtration. Therefore, you may see raspberry pulp in the beer. The raspberries provide the lager with a subtle purple coloration and haze, a fruity aroma, and a tartly sweet taste.

This beer is best served with salads or light fruit desserts, such as soufflés or chiffon cakes. Many people enjoy it with chocolate desserts. Purple Haze pairs well with certain cheeses, such as ripened Brie or any dessert made with Mascarpone. It’s also great paired with entrees prepared with fruit, especially citrus. Consider enjoying Purple Haze alone at the end of your meal as dessert.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a golden color with tiny head (again, must be the glass) and very little lacing.

Aroma: Smells like a sweet wheat beer and raspberries.  Not over the top, but nice smelling.

Taste: Sweet malt and wheat flavors complimented by the raspberries very nicely.  The raspberry flavor doesn’t taste artificial, but rather quite fresh.

Overall: Refreshing and crisp, Abita Brewing Company’s Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat Brew is not too sweet, not too bitter, balanced very well and quite enjoyable and at 4.2% ABV very session friendly.  If you’re in the mood for
a “fruit beer” this is one I would recommend you consider.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey