Did you know Abita is one of the oldest microbreweries going? Founded in 1986, Abita of New Orleans, Louisiana thrives in a state not known for its craft beer production (though that may be changing). Still, New Orleans is a partying town, and beer does get drunk there. The brewery currently produces more than 40,000 barrels annually, not bad for a small brewer. And their numbers are increasing. If you visit the Abita brewpub in Abita Springs (just across Lake Pontchartrain from the Big Easy), make sure to hit their website first and print out the coupon for a free beer!

When I review a beer, I look at it two ways. First, what did I think of it as a representative of its style? Then, did I enjoy the taste of the beer? A beer must satisfy one of those two criteria for me. And to be honest, Abita Amber really never satisfied either criterion for me when I lived in New England. Perhaps that’s because it just had traveled too far and they weren’t selling enough of it.

Up there, the Abita Amber I drank was medium copper in color with good head formation and a fruity malt nose. The palate is fairly light to me, a bit of slightly caramelly malt but not enough to make the beer really interesting to me. The finish has a touch of melon-like fruitiness and is balanced but not at all hoppy. This is supposed to be a Munich style lager but doesn't really come close to one in my book. I am not impressed, and I am a forgiving beer lover.

Since I’ve moved to Atlanta, I’ve found bottled Abita to be slightly better. Likely its so much fresher. It’s slightly more flavorful, but still nothing to write home about. So why the heck am I giving it four stars, you ask yourself? Because if you visit New Orleans, Abita’s home turf, something marvelous and magical happens. The beer becomes a fresh malty delight, not an overbearing brew by any means but perfectly suited to the hot local weather.

Abita Amber is also ubiquitous in the Crescent City. At least in the French Quarter, you will find it at just about every restaurant and bar from Bourbon to Decatur Street and beyond. I was truly amazed at how many Abita Amber taps there were, and I was glad to see a local brewery doing so well. And it’s easy to see why. There’s such wonderful turnover that every glass (or plastic cup, which you can take out with you) I enjoyed was incredibly fresh. Then too, I think the brewery is striving to improve its beers. They’ve recently launched a line of specialty brews under the “Abita Select” name.

Fresh on draught, Abita Amber pours to a golden copper color with a thick creamy head and a fresh malty nose. The palate is smooth, creamy, and refreshing, a wonderfully drinkable brew. There is a light caramel note along with a firm nutty fresh malt character and a balanced finish with just a gentle kiss of hops to balance. Abita Amber isn’t so overbearing that a Budweiser drinker can’t enjoy it, but it had enough flavor to satisfy me as well.

It’s also great with all the local favorites, and I used it to wash down muffalettas, poboys, shrimp, boudin, andouille sausage, and more. If you go to New Orleans and walk the streets of the French Quarter, be sure to do it with a cold cup of Abita Amber.



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