Abita Brewing Company - Abita Turbo Dog

This fine canine-inspired brew was originally crafted as a specialty beer to celebrate the company’s fourth birthday back in 1990. It met with such enthusiasm that it has since become one of Abita’s five flagship brews. In August of this year it was ranked by Stuff magazine as the #1 beer made in the USA. Look for a sweet malty (and wet) nose followed by sweet chocolate and toffee flavors. You won’t find many hops while lapping this tasty nectar, but you will encounter plenty of flavor. Overall, a full-flavored, medium-bodied malty hound that will play best friend to your favorite beef or lamb dish.

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!