It seems that I try fewer Belgian style beers lately as I concentrate (at least somewhat) on American breweries, but this one made it on the roster in the early stages of reviews.  Even though I would prefer beers from Ommegang or Allagash to Leffe Blond, it is a decent Belgian Ale.  I suppose it is somewhat comparable to a Blue Moon (I said somewhat).  What I do know is that it tastes much better when enjoyed on the Champs-Elysees in Paris that out of the bottle at home in Florida.

When in France . . .

Brewery: Abbaye de Leffe S.A. (Belgium)

Name: Leffe Blond

Style: Belgian Blond Ale

ABV: 6.6%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in my Ommegang (tulip-like) glass.

Aroma: Light, spicy hop aroma with a subtle yeast nose.  Somewhat like the aroma of a pilsner or other lighter styles of beer.

Appearance: Deep gold color.  Three finger (plus), off-white head with excellent retention leaving some trail.  Crystal clear with many visible bubbles rising.

Flavor: Smooth with some sweetness and light, spicy notes.  Medium hop flavor with some alcohol toward the finish.  Well balanced overall.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation with some warmth in the background.  Medium to light body and somewhat creamy.

Overall Impressions: Subtle (in flavor) Belgian ale.  Very easy drinking and is a good Belgian style beer if the intent is to drink more than a few.  Not my favorite Belgian, but OK.

Grade: B (towards a B+)

Abbaye de Leffe S.A. - Leffe Blond

If I passed up the chance at many beers actually from Belgium to go with a Tripel from Colorado, it probably should not be a surprise that I follow it up with a Dubbel from Louisiana.  I suppose at least I am moving east in the direction of Belgium.  At this rate I should actually get a full review in on a beer from Belgium sometime this year.  Then again I could just turn around and head back west.

For the first of a good pair this week . . .

Brewery: Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, LA)

Name: Abbey Ale

Style: Belgian Dubbel

ABV: 8.00% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled slightly early to warm some before serving in a stemmed goblet/chalice.

Aroma: Rich caramelly sugar aroma with strong notes of dark fruit (raisiny) and some faint spice.  Really quite nice overall. – 10/12

Appearance: Full, deep amber in color with some reddish coppery tones.  One finger or so light tan color head that dissipates pretty quickly leaving a bit of a trail.  Very clear when held to light with a few rising bubbles visible. – 2/3

Flavor: Big brown sugary sweetness up front followed by a bit of a fruity character in the middle that has some sweetness as well.  The fruit profile is nicely balance in with the malty sweetness.  The finish is very slightly dry with some of that sweetness holding on for a little while. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a relatively low level of carbonation.  Smooth and nicely creamy on the palate with a very light sharpness. – 4.5/5

Overall Impressions: Pretty tasty overall though I would have loved a drier finish.  Even with the finish not being dry enough for me it was enough as the sweetness was not all that cloying.  The flavor is probably the weakest component, but that is really because the aroma was so good.  Definitely do not want to drink this cold from the fridge (let it sit and warm a bit).  Not that I was truly pessimistic, but somewhat surprisingly a very enjoyable beer to drink.  – 8/10

Overall: B+ (39/50)

Abita Brewing Company - Abbey Ale

The decision process for this review basically boiled down to a choice between doing a review from the same brewery or going with one of the same beer style. The same brewery won out this time in a coin flip situation.

For the longest time (before I started studying beer like I do now) I thought this beer was an American Amber Ale really just because of the name. For that reason, among many others, I check my style assumptions in as many places as I can before I write down the final verdict.

For the final review of this week . . .

Brewery: Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, LA)

Name: Amber

Style: Oktoberfest / Märzen

ABV: 4.50%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Full, sweet, malty aroma with some light toasted notes. Fairly light and clean overall.

Appearance: Golden orangey amber in color. One finger, off-white head that is frothy with good retention and leaving a nice trail. Crystal clear with rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Pretty light malty sweetness with some toasted and slightly nutty(?) notes. Very light bitterness with out any real hop flavor(s). Slight dryness at the finish. Clean overall flavor with the balance to malty.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with a moderate level of carbonation. Slightly crisp and somewhat creamy on the palate (more so than expected via appearance).

Overall Impressions: Clean and very drinkable (could do many), but I am not really craving another. Flavor is rather blah overall though with pretty tame components that were tough to pick out. Best really cold.

Grade: C+

Abita Brewing Company - Amber

The close up

It is somewhat amusing to read my notes on this review and see that my thoughts were that I would definitely buy it again because I cannot ever remember doing so since that time.  I have sampled it at festivals and I am pretty sure I ended up with a few free bottles at some point, but it has yet to make it into my shopping cart again.  I have developed a habit of almost exclusively buying beers that I have not tried or seen before.  Maybe that is why I have such a difficult time when someone asks me what my favorite beer is.  I am not spending enough quality time with any one beer to favor it above all.

Enough rambling, onto the review . . .

Brewery: Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, LA)

Name: Andygator

Style: (Helles) Doppelbock

ABV: 8.00%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (50 degrees +/-) and served in a pilsner glass.  $4.79 for 22 ounces.

Aroma: Moderately malty with a slight sweetness that seems to have characteristics that are somewhere between grapes and corn.

Appearance: Deep/full golden color.  Two finger (plus), off-white head that is thick and creamy with good retention and leaving some trail.  Clear with tons of rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Rich malty flavor with no toasted, roasted, caramel notes and no hoppy bitterness.  Very clean flavor through the finish that has a hint of dryness.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body and a high level of carbonation (without lending any bite).  Very smooth with slight creaminess.

Overall Impressions: Really great flavor and a great value that I would definitely buy again for that reason.  A good entry point into craft beer for those who are used to only drinking domestic lagers.  Maybe more of a Helles Bock than a Doppelbock?

Grade: B+ to A-

Abita Brewing Company - Andygator

A little closer.

Having just realized at this moment how few reviews I actually have ready to go has me a little concerned going forward. I like to have a little cushion in case I don’t do any for an extended period, which is what has happened for most of the last few months. I suppose the only way to fix that issue is to get sampling some new brews over the holidays so I have something to start off the new year with!

For this Tuesday review I bring you . . .

Brewery: Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, LA)

Name: Jockamo IPA

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.50%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Some sweet, citrusy, slightly floral hop aroma with a nice caramelly malt character underneath and (I think) a hint of raisin. Really balances out into a great overall aroma.

Appearance: Copper to orange in color. One finger, cream color head that is frothy with decent retention and leaves a light trail on the glass. Very clear with many rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Citrusy and piney hop flavor up front with a good hit of bitterness right after that which fades to the finish. Some malty sweetness underneath (though not too much) with a finish that is a little dry and lingers nicely. The overall balance is to bitterness, but not too much so or in a bad way.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a fairly high level of carbonation that combines with and adds to the bitterness a little. Crisp with a hint of warmth noticeable.

Overall Impressions: The aroma outshines the flavor for me. Overall balance comes closer to even as it warms a bit . . . in general I should start drinking my IPAs a little warmer than I often do. Quite nice all in all a very drinkable (a few at least). The flavors and bitterness start to soften on the palate after a few sips.

Grade: B+

Abita Brewing Company - Jockamo IPA

A wee bit closer now.