Turbodog...

[bdavid]

At WF today, I picked up two bottles of Abita beer...very tall bottles, sold singly: Abbey Ale and Andygator. Can you tell me about them please? They are both unfamiliar to me.
Thanks-

[BobRSnow]

They will soon be your best friends, b. Nectar of the Gods, (and I'm not a big Abita beer fan).

[flyinbayou]

Well, since he has yet to answer I will give you my thoughts until TD chimes in and corrects/expounds my post.
Abbey Ale is Abita's version of a Belgium Ale. To my palate it is like most Belgiums: Unfiltered, slightly fruity head and a full mouth taste. Nothing like most beers although with the mass marketing of a common Belgium ale, Blue Moon (including the Superdome) the style has become more common.
The AndyGator is also a different beast. It is actually a barley wine, not a beer. The alcohol content is between beer and wine, around the 9% level, although you cannot tell by taste. That's part of the problem. In fact, many bars will only serve their barley wines in slightly smaller glasses as opposed to pints.
Anyway, Andy Gator has a nice, almost effervescent mouthfeel to it. It is slightly sweet and not overly hoppy. Think of it as concentrated beer without the bitterness aspects of some beers around that gravity.

OK, TD. This is my take on the two beers. What do you think?

[bdavid]

Thanks for the info - I'm looking forward to trying them. Other than WF where are they available, do you know?

[BTG]

Rouses and Dorignacs also have them.

These two bottles are probably my favorite thing Abita has ever done. I love the Andy Gator and just grabbing one bottle is perfect for two glasses while sitting on the porch.

[bdavid]

That sounds like a great idea - we'll try that tonight!

[Turbodog]

Barbara, flyinbayou is pretty much on the mark, except Andygator (which I also think of as a barley wne) is actually a variation of a dopplebock (double bock).

They are brews that are meantot be sipped, not chugged.

For my money, Andygator houdl be consumed more like wine than beer.

These are serious beers. Abita will be adding to the oine, in time. They are the two introductory products of a "big beer in big bottles" line of products.

Look for more serious brews in this line.

[flyinbayou]

And if you had not heard, NOLA Brewing just started brewing their first seasonal, an IPA called Hopitoulas, due out in October.
Unfortunately for some on this board it will be making its premier at The Avenue Pub so they will have to wait until after Oct. 10 to get it.

[Frank]

Abbey Ale project benefits St. Joseph Abbey
http://www.clarionherald.org/pdfs/2009/ ... page05.pdf
http://www.pbase.com/septembermorn/image/42474219

[bdavid]

Barbara, flyinbayou is pretty much on the mark, except Andygator (which I also think of as a barley wne) is actually a variation of a dopplebock (double bock).

They are brews that are meantot be sipped, not chugged.

For my money, Andygator houdl be consumed more like wine than beer.

These are serious beers. Abita will be adding to the oine, in time. They are the two introductory products of a "big beer in big bottles" line of products.

Look for more serious brews in this line.

Thanks - I look forward to trying them. I have never been a "chugger" of beer, always a sipper - much like wine. I suppose if someone forced me to drink a Bud Light I would chug it to get the experience over with.