Happy Happy Happy

I t is a good night in our house. Auburn won and Michigan beat Notre Dame. Time for a new brew. I’ve been watching my beloved Tigers handle Arkansas State and occasionally flipping to the Michigan game to support Mrs. Dan. I thought I would try a southern brew. Last week I reviewed a Yankee brew, Smuttynose Robust Porter which is one of the better porters I’ve had in a while.

Tonight it’s Abita’s Pecan Harvest Ale. I like this brew but at first I wasn’t sure. I think Lazy Magnolia‘s Pecan brew is a better Pecan brew. This has some of the pecan flavor but it’s the other flavors I think I like better. I am also surprised that I like it better as it warms up. I started with it in a frosty glass. It poured almost an orange color. But in the glass it is more dark golden brown. My first sip when it was really cold was nice malty smoothness up front but there was a sharp bitter taste right at the end. After it warms up that bitter end is gone. Well, almost gone. There’s a bit of a dark almost molasses taste way after what you would usually call the finish.

I usually drink my brews very cold and usually too fast. This one, which I would not call a session brew, make me want to slow down and sip, not gulp. Do I like this better than Southern Magnolia’s Pecan brew? I like them both but for totally different reasons. The Lazy Magnolia brew is darker and more robust with a dry pecan finish. This one is smooth and balanced. The pecan flavors come and go. I guess you would call it a nutty flavor. And as the brew warms some nice caramel flavors start to pop.

Here’s what their website has to say: “Abita Pecan® Harvest Ale is brewed with pale, Munich, biscuit and caramel malts and Willamette hops. Real Louisiana roasted pecans are added in the brewhouse and give the ale a subtle nutty flavor and aroma. Crack one open for yourself.
This ale is excellent served with both red meat, seafood and, no surprise here, it’s also great with nuts! Try Pecan® Harvest Ale with Gouda cheese. 5.1 ABV.”

This is part of their seasonal “harvest” brew line so don’t get to used to it.

GO BLUE!