- Product Reviewed: Abita Amber Lager
- Brewed By: Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, Louisiana
- Form Reviewed: Bottle purchased in Louisiana, December, 1994.
- Original Posted to Usenet: July 4, 1995
- Style: Amber Lager, or Vienna Lager
Initial Impressions:
As my prior review indicated, my project for the first part of July (in addition to finally defending my master's thesis) is to catch up on some back reviews. I need to do this because of two things. First, the Oregon Brewers Festival occurs July 28-30, and I will be attending for my sixth straight year. Second, immediately prior to that, I am planning on a beer journey to Northern California, linking up with the notoriously indefatigable Charlie Gow. Both of these events should generate enough tasting notes to overwhelm me; a few may even make it into electronic print.The Abita Amber Lager was one of three Abita beers which I acquired on my December '94 journey. The Abita Bock, reviewed last week, was a pleasant surprise, being a decent representation of a dunkles bock. The 1993 Christmas beer remains in my fridge, as of yet untried. I do not intend to review that one to the net; it wouldn't be fair to the beer. The Amber Lager was the third of the Abita beers I picked up. Admittedly, I had little knowledge or expectations of Abita's beers. I did taste the Amber Lager the day after I tried the Bock. Because of the good impression that the Bock made, I had moderate-to-high expectations for the Amber Lager. I decided to treat it as a Vienna-style Lager.
Upon pouring, the beer revealed itself as a slightly hazy light amber. The white head which was keen to develop displayed decent retention properties.
Nose:
The Amber Lager masked its bouquet somewhat. I detected a hint of malt and hop aroma. I also detected something altogether unexpected -- an earthy, DMS-like aroma. I later learned that Abita brews with corn, which is consistent with my perceptions. While the judicious use of an indigenous ingredient is not necessarily a damnable offense, it ought not reveal itself so obviously in what is supposed to be a crisp, clean beer.
Flavor:
The flavor was altogether unremarkable. A hint of maltiness finished weak. There were some citrus notes intermingled with the reticent maltiness, and the corn flavor was detectable. An incongruous combination of weak flavors, and not at all "lager crisp".
Final Analysis:
Ultimately, this was an altogether unremarkable beer. Aside from the DMS note (which was probably not DMS at all but simply the use of corn in the brewing process) the beer was without procedural flaw, but what flavors were present formed an unharmonious collection of voices. Finally, the beer was not crisp as one would expect of a lager. When buying Abita, therefore, stick to their very good Bock and leave the mediocre Amber Lager behind.
Rating:
(Fair on my 5-star scale)Next Up:
Wharf Rat Special Bitter
Widmer Berliner Weisse
Leavenworth Dirty Face Stout
Blue Ridge Porter
