Abita Brewing Company - Jockamo IPA

Not surprising that a New Orleans area brewery would have at least one Mardi Gras spirited brew. Jockamo IPA is a clever name that sounds like the famous Mardi Gras Indian chant "Iko! Iko! Joackamo fen ané". The meaning of this phrase is difficult to know for sure, but basically it seems to mean, "don't mess with us," and some claim it's derived from slave chants and originally meant "I'm going free one day." If you saw the movie Rain Main, or were anywhere in the 80s, you've heard the song "Iko Iko" which is just one recorded version of this song, originally penned in the 50s as a pop song. Next time you hear it, substitute in "Jockamo IPA" when singing along. Sure, you'll be the only one who gets it, but those lyrics are difficult to understand anyway, so no one will give you a hard time. Well, they may give you a hard time for singing along to that song in the first place, but who gives a rip. Seriously, go to YouTube now, punch up "Iko, Iko" and start singing. Slosh your beer around while you're at it. Good times… Expect a grainy, sweet, hoppy nose with resinous hop notes. Note a citrus fruit-like note, like a blend of grapefruit and candied apple. On the palate, look for a hefty amount of musty, grassy character, with pear notes and blonde tobacco. This beer is amply bitter, but the grain bill is big enough to deliver a matching body and sweetness, with notes of toasted bread. Aromatic floral and citrusy hop notes dominate, but the hops are well balanced considering the style. Fades out on a dry but resinous hoppy note, with a mineralized kick. This one will pair well with spicy Creole dishes.

Established in 1986, Abita Brewing Company is the oldest craft brewery in the southeast. Located about 30 miles north of New Orleans in Abita Springs, LA, they still brew in small batches using water from their protected wells, which deliver water so pure that it goes right into their brewkettle (many breweries have to first chemically prepare their water to eliminate chlorine or other impurities before it's fit for brewing.) For those of us not near New Orleans, it may seem that the recovery effort must be over by now, more than three years after the storms. Sadly, this is not the case. There remains much to do; many people still have not returned to the area, and many of those who have continue to struggle. Abita B.C. has contributed well over half a million bucks to the recovery efforts thru their line of Fleur-de-lis t-shirts, hats, ribbon pins and car magnets, and their "Restoration Ale." Good beer, for a good cause. 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. For additional details about the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, visit www.LouisianaHelp.org and consider supporting the LDRF by ordering some of Abita's Fleur-de-lis merch.