OK, so there I was at Total Wine, looking for beer of course. Superbowl Sunday was fast approaching, and although it's hard for me to really get excited about the game when my beloved New England Patriots are not playing, I was pulling for the New Orleans Saints. I remember how exciting the Pats first Superbowl win was, and certainly the fine folks in New Orleans deserve to feel that thrill as well.

So, I figured, some local beer to go with the game was in order. And what's more local than Abita in New Orleans? Luckily, Abita obliged with it's January seasonal beer release, Abita Bock. Abita calls their bock a "Mardi Gras" bock. From the bottle:

"Abita Bock always leads the parade of our seasonal brews, making it's debut in January. Long ago in Germany, this rich and hearty beer was brewed each winter to be enjoyed in spring. So start your revelry off the right way with this traditional Mardi Gras favorite. Don't let the parade pass you by-enjoy an Abita Bock before the season ends."

This year, of course, Mardi Gras begins on Tuesday, February 16th, but the folks in New Orleans will be celebrating (and I expect reducing the available supply of Abita Bock) long before that. While Abita is 100% correct in calling this a bock in style, it's technically a Maibock aka Heller Bock in style (Abita admits as much on their website). Mai is German for May, and Maibocks generally appear in late April to early May; double bocks are more common in January and February. Still, with a warming 6.5% alcohol content by volume, Abita Bock has the strength to help shake off the winter blues.

Abita Bock pours to a slightly hazy golden brown color with a very light head formation and a soft, slightly corn-laden nose. There are no adjuncts here, I expect, but the "cooked corn" flavor technically referred to as DMS (Dimethyl Sulfide) is something I often detect in the style, so no points off for that. This one has a bit of light caramel malt flavor and a gentle touch of dry, toasty nuttiness. Also, there's a gentle balancing hop aroma in the finish.

Maibocks do lean towards the sweetish side and this one is no exception, but it's not overly so. It's best not drunk too cold or the already delicate malt flavors might be missed. An average but enjoyable brew, though not at all exemplary of the style. To be fair, the price is reasonable at $6.49 a six-pack, so I could see myself drinking a few bottles during Mardi-Gras (or during the Superbowl). Go Saints!