Saturday, March 31, 2012

Abita Brewing Company Abbey Ale

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

Tonight’s featured beer is Abita Brewing Company Abbey Ale.  With this beer I complete my Abita Brewing Company beer reviews (for now). This one I didn’t try while in New Orleans, but did pick up locally.  Abita Brewing Company distributes their beer all over so every now and again I pick some up.

From the Abita Brewing Company website: “Abbey Ale honors the ancient tradition of monks who perfected the art of brewing beer to support the monastery and their "liquid bread". We offer up our support and thank them with a 25¢ donation to St. Joseph's Abbey with every bottle sold of this heavenly brew. Dark amber in color, the aroma of caramel, fruits and cloves invites you to contemplate the creamy head of this "Dubbel" or double ale. Abita Abbey Ale is a malty brew, top-fermented and bottle aged to rapturous perfection. This ale pairs well with barbecue, meat stews or a nice thick steak. For dessert, try Abita Abbey Ale with milk chocolate or chocolate bread pudding. We suggest serving this brew at 46 degrees.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a rich caramel color with a nice off-white head and good lacing.
Aroma: Roasted and caramel malts, dark fruits – raisins and cherries, cinnamon and cloves.
Taste: Sweet malt, spice, brown sugar and raisins.  Slight alcohol presence. Tastes GREAT!
Overall:  A very well done American made Belgian style Ale, Abita Brewing Company’s Abbey Ale is well worth trying if you enjoy Dubbels and at 8% ABV one that’s highly drinkable.  I very much enjoyed this offering and plan to drink it again.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Friday, March 30, 2012

Abita Brewing Company Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale

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

Tonight’s featured beer is Abita Brewing Company Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale as I finally continue on with my “drinking Abita in New Orleans” special.  I kind of fell of the blogging wagon, but I’m back on to finish up the Abita reviews.

From the Abita Brewing Company website:” Turbodog is the inspiration for this robust dark ale. It is brewed with generous amounts of pale, caramel, and chocolate malts and Willamette hops. Whole natural vanilla beans are added during the aging process.This combination provides a rich body and color with chocolate, vanilla and toffee-like flavor.

25 years ago Abita Brewing was founded on a pristine artesian aquifer north of New Orleans. For a quarter of a century, Abita has proudly brewed full-flavored ales and lagers. We thank our loyal customers for their support and pledge to continue the tradition of brewing excellence.”
Let’s get started!
Appearance: Pours a dark brown with nearly no head (small glass pour again) and nice lacing.
Aroma: Roasted and caramel malts, vanilla, chocolate, toffee and coffee.
Taste: Flavored like the nose with sweet malts and vanilla forward, toasted nuts, unsweetened chocolate, bitter coffee and toffee. Really, really good.
Overall: Very well done, approachable and drinkable, Abita Brewing Company’s Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale is a beer I’d drink again and at 7% ABV is a beer that I could enjoy without worrying about getting knocked down. 

Cheers!

Mark Harvey