OK, so there I was at Total Wine, looking for beer of course. Superbowl Sunday was fast approaching, and although it's hard for me to really get excited about the game when my beloved New England Patriots are not playing, I was pulling for the New Orleans Saints. I remember how exciting the Pats first Superbowl win was, and certainly the fine folks in New Orleans deserve to feel that thrill as well.

So, I figured, some local beer to go with the game was in order. And what's more local than Abita in New Orleans? Luckily, Abita obliged with it's January seasonal beer release, Abita Bock. Abita calls their bock a "Mardi Gras" bock. From the bottle:

"Abita Bock always leads the parade of our seasonal brews, making it's debut in January. Long ago in Germany, this rich and hearty beer was brewed each winter to be enjoyed in spring. So start your revelry off the right way with this traditional Mardi Gras favorite. Don't let the parade pass you by-enjoy an Abita Bock before the season ends."

This year, of course, Mardi Gras begins on Tuesday, February 16th, but the folks in New Orleans will be celebrating (and I expect reducing the available supply of Abita Bock) long before that. While Abita is 100% correct in calling this a bock in style, it's technically a Maibock aka Heller Bock in style (Abita admits as much on their website). Mai is German for May, and Maibocks generally appear in late April to early May; double bocks are more common in January and February. Still, with a warming 6.5% alcohol content by volume, Abita Bock has the strength to help shake off the winter blues.

Abita Bock pours to a slightly hazy golden brown color with a very light head formation and a soft, slightly corn-laden nose. There are no adjuncts here, I expect, but the "cooked corn" flavor technically referred to as DMS (Dimethyl Sulfide) is something I often detect in the style, so no points off for that. This one has a bit of light caramel malt flavor and a gentle touch of dry, toasty nuttiness. Also, there's a gentle balancing hop aroma in the finish.

Maibocks do lean towards the sweetish side and this one is no exception, but it's not overly so. It's best not drunk too cold or the already delicate malt flavors might be missed. An average but enjoyable brew, though not at all exemplary of the style. To be fair, the price is reasonable at $6.49 a six-pack, so I could see myself drinking a few bottles during Mardi-Gras (or during the Superbowl). Go Saints!

Update 2/19/15:

Ordered up a mug of Abita Mardi Gras Bock tonight at Taco Mac. The beer had a slightly nutty nose, a bit toasty nutty up front, malt is thinner than I like in the style, and a slightly sweet finish. Abita calls this a pale bock, although the color here is darker than normal for that style and the use of caramel malts seems curious.  Can't complain at $5.25 and a free glass, though. These days this beer will run you around $8.49 a six-pack in bottles as well.

Update 1/25/2018: Here I am at Taco Mac again, enjoying another mug of Abita Mardi Gras Bock. This time it's in a 23-ounce Chancellor's mug for the same $5.25, and I still struggle with the description of this as a Maibock. It's darker in color than that style and even maltier this year than I recall from the past. Nutty, malty, chewy, toasty caramel treat. Laissez les bon temps roulez! It will now cost you $8.99 a six in bottles.

From the website:

Mardi Gras Bock is the first of our seasonal brews. Abita Bock is brewed with pale, pilsner and caramel malts and German Perle hops. Our bock is similar to German maibocks with its rich malt flavor and full body. A perfect choice during Carnival season in New Orleans. Gruyére, Emmental and Swiss are nice cheese choices with Bock. Great with roasted beef or pork. Try it with Mexican food, too.



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