Abita Brewing Company - Abita Christmas Ale

Abita Christmas Ale is a festive dark ale crafted with special care. Each year, Abita changes the secret recipe a bit, making every annual batch unique. Have a sniff of this brew and you’ll quickly notice the holiday spices—nutmeg, clove, ginger, a touch of anise and some citrus notes fill the nose. Look also for a firm malt backbone to support all of these spices. Expect these elements to be less prominent in the flavor profile, with the nutty malts and fresh-baked bread notes taking center stage. A moderate bitterness rounds out the finish. Its nutty and spiced elements will partner nicely with a Cannoli or pumpkin pie dessert.

From the oldest craft brewery in the southeast we bring you the beers of Abita Brewing Company, established in 1986 about 30 miles north of New Orleans in the pine laden woods of Abita Springs, LA. By 1994 they outgrew their original site (which is now their 100 seat brewpub) and moved up the road where they now brew 52,000 barrels of beer annually (their first facility pumped out just 1,500 barrels in their first year). Their growth has been impressive, but rest assured they still brew their beers in small batches, faithfully made by a dedicated brewing staff that uses only the finest ingredients including the artesian waters of Abita Springs. Their protected wells deliver water so pure that it need not be altered in any way prior to being used in the brewing process (many breweries have to chemically prepare their water to eliminate chlorine or other impurities before it’s fit for brewing). Considering their proximity to New Orleans, it’s miraculous that the Abita Brewing Company was spared any major damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. According to their president, David Blossman, “We’re proud to be a Louisiana Company and feel blessed that we are still able to brew beer and keep our employees working.” Their ties and loyalty to the area led them to launch a major initiative to help raise funds for all those people whose lives have been devastated by the storms. One component of this initiative has been their Fleur-de-lis Restoration Ale, with $1 from the sale of every six pack being donated to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF). The other major component is their line of Fleur-de-lis t-shirts, hats, ribbon pins and car magnets. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this merchandise will go directly to the LDRF. For more information about the brewery, brewpub and/or scheduled tours, call (985) 893-3143 or check out their web site at www.abita.com. And if you can, support the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation by ordering some of Abita’s Fleur-de-lis products. Hey, good cause, good gear, everybody’s happy!