Andygator - Abita Brewing Co.

beeragent

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass from a bottle.

A - Pours a light straw yellow, forming a 1/2 inch head with light lace on the glass. Looks like a macro lager.

S - A bit grassy and grainy aroma. Also smells a bit like a macro lager.

T - Light malty flavor, buscuity, with the hops creating a grassy finish. Very simple flavor but full.

M - Medium bodied, high carbonation and suprisingly smooth.

O - For a very unique style, a Helles Dopplebocks, I think this fits the name. Just like a Helles on steroids. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:16:48 | More by beeragent

rangerred

Tennessee

3.31/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured into a pint glass out of a 22oz bomber.

Pours a slightly hazy medium gold with a small half finger white head. Not much at all in the way of head retention or lacing.

The aroma has lots of caramel with a slight hint of toasted malt and grass/hay. There is some light tropical fruit that plays in the background but caramel and toffee really rules here.

The flavor is quite a bit weaker than the aroma but still has the caramel/toffee notes up front. There is tropical fruit in the middle with some wet grass coming in towards the finish although it is light. Bitterness is on the light to moderate side with just a tiny hint of alcohol to go along with a slightly sticky finish.

Overall, it is a nice attempt by Abita but I am less than impressed. The flavors and aroma are just way too weak all-around and it is a bit boring.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 00:11:20 | More by rangerred

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into lager glass, best before 5/5/2013. Slight gusher upon opening. Pours fairly crystal clear golden straw color with a 1 finger dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings down the glass, with a lot of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of apple, raisin, grape, biscuit, cracker, light pepper, herbal, and floral hops. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance of fruity ester, bready malt, and hop notes; with decent strength. Taste of apple, pear, grape, biscuit, cracker, light pepper, herbal, grass, and floral hops. Lingering notes of light fruits, biscuit, cracker, light pepper, herbal, and floral hops on the finish for a bit. Good balance of fruity ester, bready malt, and hop flavors; with solid robustness and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly slick, smooth, and fairly crisp mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a good Helles Bock. Good balance of malt, hop, and fruity ester notes; and very smooth to sip on. A nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 05:13:58 | More by superspak

MaximalC

Illinois

3.49/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a transparent straw color with a respectable white head that recedes to a level that just qualifies as full surface coverage. Aroma is mild, smelling of honey, hay, and a faint, tropical fruitiness. I have no idea what a Helles bock should taste like, but it's much milder than I expected. There's a gentle, bready, honeyed malt flavor with enough earthy, herbal hops to balance it out. Some pepper is evident as well. The aftertaste is slightly medicinal, but mostly dry. The hops become a bit more aggressive as it warms. I must say that the alcohol is adeptly concealed, as I never would have suspected its 8% ABV. Present, tingly carbonation lends a lively mouthfeel that complements the flavor profile nicely. Despite the highly generic presentation and mild aroma, this brew was a pleasant surprise, yielding a drinkable, balanced character that belies its weight. Not exactly my favorite style, but a pretty quality offering nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 02:16:33 | More by MaximalC

Davidvols

Mississippi

1.31/5  rDev -62.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25

Don't waste your money on this one. Abita usually makes a good quality beer, but this one is truly disappointing. Sent back, waiter told me I wasn't the first. Beer has a nasty smell and tastes as if the beer is still wort. Had three friends with me try it as well, and all agreed it's the worst beer they have ever tasted. Do not recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2013 01:21:38 | More by Davidvols

Thistle3

Alabama

3.26/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

This beer is much improved by adding a half ounce of Woodford Reserve. The whisky rounds out the less attractive edges and adds the pleasing characteristics of bourbon -- a surprisingly balanced cocktail. Also surprising is the disappearance of the off-putting nose.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 23:14:21 | More by Thistle3

swoopdog

Arkansas

4.94/5  rDev +40.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A – Clear golden pilsner with a billowy two fingers worth of eggshell white head. Ridiculous carbonation streaming off the bottom like a champagne except in erratic bubbles. Not much lacing but there is some.

S – Not really nose heavy but there is some yeast and malts among some toasted earthy aromas. Pretty average smelling for the style and I could definitely use a bigger aroma.

T – The taste is superb a bit of peppery bite in the front of the tongue sort of takes you back at first but the malts give this some great sweetness and makes this almost too easy to drink. Pulling a small amount you definitely get a bit of fruit almost like grapes of plums also getting some green apple flavors at the very end of the tongue. Absolutely delicious but drinking a full mouthful at a time kills this one so I would recommend taking your time.

M – Medium bodied with a lot of crisp from the heavy carbonation and that peppery taste. smooth as a fruit and easier to drink than the darker Doppelbocks I have had.

O – Abita has done it again this thing is tremendous and really has set the bar high for Doppelbocks domestic and imported alike. This is much much better than the Celebrator from Ayinger which is rated as the top Doppelbock in the world. Definitely tasty and if you go slow it smooths out and leaves you with a very subtle bit of fruit that gives this tremendous drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 01:00:11 | More by swoopdog

cattersley

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Light cold, highly carbonated, nice head after poor.

S - Not much, lager, and citrus notes.

T - Surprisingly light on initial taste, craft lager, a little more malt bill on aftertaste, all leaves soon after.

M - Very light on tongue.

O - Smooth as hell. I liked it very much!

THANKS IAN!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:13:02 | More by cattersley

mrweems

3.04/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3

Saw this in the store. Decided to try it. The name and type of beer doesn't give much insight to its taste. Tastes like a Pilsner but with a higher alcohol content so it has that spikey kind of initial taste. Poured beautifully and the head was tasty.

Not really my favorite type of beer, might purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 22:40:52 | More by mrweems

thagr81us

South Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed while in New Orleans for Cantillon Zwanze Day! Served from tap into a shaker. Poured a golden yellow with a one finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, wheat, corn, grain, and spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, grain, floral, wheat, grain, and fruit. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a fairly average brew. I really wasn’t impressed with this one that much if I am honest. However, this was about the only thing that was listed on the menu that I had not had before while we were grabbing food after the Zwanze Day festivities. There was just too much of a spicy and wheat aspect going on here. The aroma kind of reminded me of an adjunct lager in a way with the corn aspect going on. Really glad it didn’t carry over. Still not that great unfortunately.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 13:17:07 | More by thagr81us

moistnugget

Florida

2.83/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Picked this up from a Sunoco that has a nice craft selection. (Who knew?) Golden amber appearance with a small white head. Head died down relatively quickly. Not very cloudy, honestly lighter than I had expected. Smell is nice, very fruity and aromatic. Sweet. Taste is nothing to get too excited about. Spicy, with herbal and hopped up tones, and a slight maltiness. A little sweetness there as well. Mouthfeel is thin, not much carbonation.

Overall, not too bad, but nothing special. It IS easy to drink, which seems to be the point (now that I read the back of the bottle.) If that's your joint, then maybe this is for you, but I like higher ABV's to demand a little respect. I probably won't be seeking this out again, sadly. I would add that most of the Abita that I've had as been great.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 03:48:37 | More by moistnugget

deebo

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at buck Finns- for a buck at happy hour u can't go wrong!

A-clear light amber golden with a hint of whitehead without staying power and no lacing

S-pils malt with just a hint of spicy bittering hops

T-similar to the aroma

M- very light for a beer of this abv. Carbonation is on the high side. Mouthfeel is very light. Bittering finish but fairly crisp.

O-nothing exciting here. The alcohol is well hidden and goes down fairly easy for a stronger beer. I'll give it a 3.5 just for that

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2012 23:49:17 | More by deebo

RickS95

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Looks like some Belgians I've had...slight hazy, pale gold. Not exactly cloudy, but enough stuff to make it almost opaque. The head is bright white and fluffy, but has no rentention.

Pilsner malts are the first thing that hits, but as it warms, the fruity esters start to come out. If I close my eyes, it's almost like there's some funky Belgian yeast. Lemon peel.

Pilsner malt and pepper dominate. There's subtle lemon notes, but the peppery flavor stomps it immediately.

Not an easy drinker, and that's probably the idea. It's hard to get past the bite of the pepper. A bit of alcohol in the finish.

It really tastes like a strong, peppery pilsner beer. Nothing strikes me as German, but ultimately, it's just too much spice to be a good beer. Has some good characteristics, but the mouthfeel just kills it.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 03:30:36 | More by RickS95

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on tap at Barcade in Jersey City, NJ

A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has an eighth of a finger tall white head that reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate amounts of malty sweetness with lighter notes of herbal hops. Slight hints of alcohol are present.

T: Light amounts of pale malts with some caramel sweetness upfront followed by lighter herbal hops that contribute very light hints of bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of alcohol heat in the finish.

O: A little too much alcohol is detectable in this beer for me and I do not feel like there is a good balance between the sweetness of the malts and the bitterness of the hops.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 20:33:07 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Barcade, Jersey City, NJ

A: The beer is clear yellowish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a bit of lacing on the surface and a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. All of the bubbles eventually completely faded away.
S: The beer smells malty and thick and also has some notes of herbal hops in the aromas.
T: The taste is rather malty and spicy and also has a little bit of sweetness.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a bit thick on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't that difficult to drink for the style because the alcohol isn't that prominent in the taste.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 12:58:56 | More by metter98

SGDJosh

3.95/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From notes taken on 9/7 at home:

A – light golden, yellow straw in color. Pours with a half finger of head on top which dissipates rather quickly into light lace on top.

S – Smells like Germany! Light malt, smells like a premium lager.

T – Smooth and crisp. A lot lighter than other traditional doppelbocks that I’ve had in the past.

M – Very light bodied with crispy carbonation.

O – Lighter than most but a very good Doppelbock. The alcohol is masked very nicely for such a light body. Full of malty goodness that drinks like a Helles Lager.

J

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 13:39:57 | More by SGDJosh

ubenumber2

Arkansas

2.95/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I found this to be an average beer , ok so Im a hillbilly from Arkansas , not sure how that lowers my rating ability , but this just didnt do it for me , the smell , the taste , the fullness of the beer just wasnt there for me. I like a lot of the beers out of LA, love all of the bayou tech stuff Ive tried , and most of the Abita , this one just wasnt special enough for 5 dollars for a 22oz bottle , and I also had to drive to Memphis to get it , so maybe that didnt help any , I mean I didnt drive over just for this , but picked it up with a batch of beers I wanted to try. Its ok , just not great

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 15:20:41 | More by ubenumber2

UCLABrewN84

California

3.48/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Bier Academy in Canyon Country, CA.

Pours a clear yellow with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, sugar, and some fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with a slight bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is pretty tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 00:48:18 | More by UCLABrewN84

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.48/5  rDev +27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a surprisingly clear pale yellow colour. Not something I was expecting from something labeled as a "Helles Doppelbock."
The flavour was a surprise as well. Not incredibly sweet by any stretch. Surprisingly light. Thankfully, not overly hoppy at all. Perfect amount of hops here. Despite the lightness of it all, alcohol is incredibly subdued for 8%, but thankfully still discernible. But man, I could probably chug this down if I wanted to. Both due to the light, crisp flavour and the seemingly magically hidden alcohol content. This is not what I was expecting at all, but it's really quite good nonetheless. The only other thing I've encountered that claimed to be a "Helles doppelbock" was made by Samichlaus. That was 14% alcohol and a thick, sweet concoction. Amazing, of course, but in no way related to this. This is a totally different approach. I'm pretty sure I even taste wheat in this. This is far more on the Helles side, not so much on the doppelbock side, but in all the right ways. It's less bitter and a tad more sweet than most helles bocks and of course, it's got that doppelbock level of alcohol. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 09:10:24 | More by ElCommodoro

DavidEasterling

3.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Intitial pour releases a very nice arouma, lets you know it's there.

Average head and gets down to business. Minimul lacing.

Very good initial flavor. Wavers only if taken in improper amounts(gulps)

Overall very nice beer. Better when poured around and drank while with a group

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 03:48:51 | More by DavidEasterling

tdm168

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - copper with a huge, fizzy, dense, white head that has decent retention

S - apples, grains, grass

T - grains, alcohol, faint grass, faintly fruity

M - warm, smooth, well carbonated

This comes across a bit grainy to me. It's also a bit warm with an excessive alcohol warmth. The drinkability would be improved a great deal if it were toned down slightly. The flavor and body are mediocre. I would expect more from a Maibock.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 02:48:39 | More by tdm168

Glibber

Idaho

3.85/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I think I saw this one first on the show "True Blood". Caught an $8 growler sale on this 8%ABV beer and had to give it a try. Light colored with a massive white head that left plenty of lacing. A floral, belgian aroma. The alcohol was well hidden and the beer was very easy to drink- almost too easy.

Serving type: growler

07-08-2012 22:35:13 | More by Glibber

Zakk

4.83/5  rDev +37.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm from Louisiana, so I'm partial. Also, I'm from the days when Andygator was only available on draft, and have now tried it both on draft and from a bomber.

Serving type: Draft into pint

A: Straw colored, little head that dissipates quickly, very little lacing.

S: Bready, yeasty, caramel, floral, slight apple and citrus?

T: Malt forward maibock, toasty, roasty, very little bitterness detected. Slight citrus detected.

M: Medium carb, dry, crisp, not as boozy as one would think.

O: Heavier gravity, but without a warming finish. The alcohol is well hidden behind a great balance. Bready without a boozy taste or warmth. Definitely one of my go to draft beers.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 06:50:08 | More by Zakk

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Yellow with just a touch of haze and a 1.5 finger white head that dissipated quickly to a sheen on top, leaving good sheets of lace.

Yeasty with plenty of graininess, a little herbal or floral hops.

Taste is sweet and yeasty, herbal hops are light but notable and provide a bit of balance against the sweetness, along with some grain and bready flavors.

Body is pretty light and a bit slick, plentifully carbonated, and a bit warming from the alcohol. A sweet yeasty aftertaste lingers just a bit longer than I'd prefer, but it's still a pretty solid feel.

It's a pretty tasty beer overall, and a solid maibock.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 21:15:31 | More by AlCaponeJunior

chinchill

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Crystal clear; golden-copper color; one-finger of off-white head of bubbly foam. It left minimal lacing on the glass.

S - It smelled more fruity (cherry and currant) than expected, with hints of caramel and toffee, over a solid baked bread (malt) base.

T - Tasted nicely malty with a bit of fruit (mostly cherry). Slightly boozy, but not objectionable.

M - Very smooth; medium bodied; clean, semi-dry finish.

O - A fine, refreshing, high ABV dobblebock that drinks more like an imperial pils. 3.75

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 18:51:57 | More by chinchill