Strawberry Harvest Lager - Abita Brewing Co.

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a thin head on a clear, hazy golden colored body.
The aroma is all strawberry jam. The real stuff without the extra sugar.
The taste is a strawberry jam with a bit of lager thrown in. Fairly mild flavor, which in this case is good.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation.
It is what it is... a strawberry beer. And at that it does a good job.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 05:41:05 | More by Fatehunter

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I know when I think New Orleans, strawberries strike my brain first in association... Anyway, this stuff pours a mostly clear sunrise brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose is an adept recreation in liquid of a strawberry-flavored Pop-Tart, crust and all. The taste generally brings more of the same, though there's more of that crust flavor and a touch of berry tartness near the finish, which, oddly enough, seems out of place, given the pervasive feeling of sweetness throughout. It also kinda stabs out, an unnatural lightning. The body is a light medium, with a moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, an okay beer at best, but one that just doesn't quite sit all that well with me. Thankfully, the strawberry flavor isn't truly an artificial one, but it's not altogether pleasant, either.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 20:02:44 | More by TMoney2591

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The brew pours a very pale yellow with a finger of white froth. Some spotty suds of lace stick to the glass and overall the cap shows decent retention. A swirl revives a finger to the surface.

The aroma includes notes of wheat and fresh cereal grains with a subtle addition of seedy strawberry sweetness that gets a bit sugary as it warms up. The strawberry hint is fairly impressive as it adds a nice nuance to the otherwise plain nose.

The flavor is wheaty and cereal-like with a seedy strawberry flavor that is present without having to search for it. This is pleasantly complex with a hint of grassy quality into the finish. A mild sulfur inclusion is the only telling sign of this being a lager. The otherwise strong grain presence makes me think wheat beer.

This is a medium to light bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is clean and easy drinking/refreshing. Not something I see myself getting into and buying but it was nice to have a go at and at least say I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 14:24:31 | More by stakem

CardiacNP

Louisiana

3.49/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager bottle pour

Appearance. Clear golden with. 1 finger white head with minimal lacing

Aroma mild malty with moderate sweet strawberry hints

Taste. Mildly hop front end with little malty middle and a sweet strawberry finish

Mouthfeel smooth with moderate to heavy carbonation

Overall a nice strawberry Lager that balances well with spicy foods like boiled crawfish. But being from Louisiana I may be a little bias

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:09:58 | More by CardiacNP

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

A: Pours a nice clear golden color with little if any head.

S: Aroma is of fruity berry and malts.

T: Taste is of the same berry and malts. Each sip brings new delights to the tastebuds.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Overall a pretty solid beer nice .

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 02:09:20 | More by nukem5

scratch69

Missouri

4.09/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a flute glass.

Appearance- Clear, pale gold color with a fingers worth of head. Nice retention with a fair amount of clinging lace.

Smell- Strawberries and wheat malt.

Taste- Wheat malt and strawberry flavors. The strawberry flavor is mellow and not overpowering.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and slightly creamy. An average amount of carbonation.

Overall- This is one of the better tasting strawberry beers that I have had. Unlike other fruit beers that I've tried, the strawberry flavor is natural tasting and not syrupy or candy-like. Definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 22:13:46 | More by scratch69

Goosehunter75

Missouri

4.39/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very light straw colored with a perfectly wihte 2 finger head with very good retention

S - MMM...smells just like strawberries. Not much else there. Just sweet strawberries

T - I love the strawberry taste of this beer. Its not overdone at all and it tastes like actual strawberries not something artificial. Abita has found the perfect balance of sweetness, malts, and strawberries for this beer. Excellent job.

M - It is a very light beer. Great carbination as well. Feels smooth and silky.

O - I love this beer. I dont care what others think. I look foward to its release each year. Its an easy drinking beer. Its not overly sweet and the stawberries and done very well in it.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 21:05:53 | More by Goosehunter75

kp29

Arizona

4.51/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear light golden color with a small quickly dissipating head. Smells of strawberries - fresh strawberries, makes me really want to take that first sip.

Once taking that first sip, I instantly pick up a mild sweet strawberry flavor. The strawberries aren't overpowering which is nice and it doesn't taste artificial like some fruit beers do. I guess that's the fact that only "real fresh ingredients" are used in Abita's harvest brews. Other than strawberry pick up hints of wheat and a good amount of carbonation.

The beer is pretty one note, but it's a delicious clean, crisp, mild strawberry note. I could put back a few of these with no problem. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 00:58:29 | More by kp29

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a lager glass.

A: Dull straw color. Good clarity. Rocky white head retains very well. Foamy clumps of lacing cling to the glass here and there.

S: Strawberry candy, shortbread, wheat, an possibly a very subtle hint of tartness.

T: Big wheaty pull. Strawberry candy. Nip of tartness is more pronounced than the nose suggested. Shortbread. Abrupt finish of wheat and tart strawberry.

M: Very light in body. Fluffy with a slight push of firmness. Creamy. Moderate carbonation.

O: Put together a little better than the average fruit beer. The strawberry comes off as a bit artificial. The tartness saves the beer and elevates drinkability just enough. You could do worse for a warm weather fruit beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 17:51:09 | More by ryan1788a5

savagewhisky

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: I didn't pour it into a glass, so, I can comment on the appearance.
S: Lovely strawberry and wheat aromas
T: I was worried this would be too sweet since the aroma of strawberries was pretty heavy. I was pleasantly surprised. It was crisp and fruity and balanced: not too sweet, not really hoppy, but very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 16:10:58 | More by savagewhisky

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Blonde color. Some light haze. Disc of white suds perches on the surface. Looks okay.

Strawberry taffy, artificial raspberry, perfumey notes, pale malts, white chocolate, some other off-fragrance. Very strange. Smells waxy like a candle. Not right. Embellished.

Tastes like the nose. Strawberries and cream gummies, fruity soap, perfume, sweet cracker, touch of floral hops, white raspberry, and leafiness. I get that it's a beer, but this is wrong-weird. After doing some research, I realize there are wheat malts used. That could definitely explain some of the strange combinations of flavors. Some natural strawberry flavor peeks out in the finish.

Very watery. Terribly thin. Carbonation takes over. Too overblown. Stings like a big gulp of strawberry soda.

Below-average. Hard to finish. Doesn't even spell 'refreshment'. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 13:53:53 | More by thecheapies

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.59/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

I picked up a bottle of Abita's Strawberry Harvest Lager last week for $1.59 at The Lager Mill. I'm not a big fan of Abita, but a friend of mine recommend this so I thought I would give it a chance, so lets see how it goes. No visible bottling date. Poured from a brown shorter 12oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A- The label doesn't look that great, it's pretty plain and it's not that eye catching. It poured a slightly hazy straw yellow color that took on a golden hue when held to the light with a finger and half of white head that died down to a thin ring that stayed till the end and left some nice rings of lacing behind. This was a good looking beer, I don't really have any complaints.

S- The aroma starts off with a higher amount of sweetness followed by a pretty big strawberry aroma that has a strawberry jam like aroma followed by a some nice creamy aromas that makes for an aroma that reminds me of strawberry cheese cake or those strawberry cup cakes from hostess. Up next comes some sweet, bready and slightly grainy malts. The aroma is nice, I like it, but I don't love it.

T- The taste seems to be pretty damn similar to the aroma and it started off with a medium amount of sweetness followed by the same strawberry aspect that I got in the aroma with a pretty big creamy aroma, the combination reminds me of some Strawberry cheese cake ice cream I have had. Up next comes the malts that impart a pretty big grainy, bready and biscuit like flavor that carries through to the aftertaste with a biscuit flavor that really sticks around and there was no bitterness at all. This beer tastes nice, the strawberry's didn't taste overly artificial and it reminds me a of a couple different strawberry snacks I have had.

M- Smooth, crisp, refreshing, light bodied, with a nice amount of medium carbonation. The mouthfeel was nice and it worked well with this beer.

All in all I thought this was a decent beer and a good example of a fruit beer, it had enough fruit flavor to stay true to the name and they didn't taste overly artificial, it seems to have decent balance also. This beer had ok drinkability, it was smooth, and refreshing, and the flavors held my attention but I think they would start to wear on me after a while, one seems to be enough for me, I don't think I would want another one in a row, What I liked the most about this beer was the aroma, it was nice and very dessert like. What I liked the least about this beer was the drinkability, lagers are usually pretty drinkable, but this one doesn't keep me coming back for more. I might buy this beer again in the summer if I am in the mood for a light and refreshing fruit beer, but it's not something that I would buy a six pack of, I would recommend this to people who really like strawberry's or somebody who is just getting into craft beer. All in all I didn't mind this beer, it's not for everyone but I think it would make for a nice dessert beer, especially at a bbq in the summertime. This is one of the better beers I have had from this brewery but I'm still not crazy over it or the brewery.This beer was ok but I wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:46:31 | More by StoutHunter

mattkoon

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

abita really hooked this beer (malt beverage) up with a ton of strawberry flavor. i like it. this beer pours cloudy. there is a thin white head. the smell is a little sour smelling but not off-putting. taste is really crisp with a pretty huge strawberry finish. i try to pick some of this up every year when its around.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 22:21:52 | More by mattkoon

UCLABrewN84

California

3.3/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Best by 7/18/13.

Pours a hazy light yellow-orange with a foamy light khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some earthy strawberry and strawberry juice aromas. Taste is much the same with a flavor on the finish that is almost like a biscuit with butter and strawberry jelly. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer that is light and refreshing but the smell on this one is better than the taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 05:37:18 | More by UCLABrewN84

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, light golden color with a short white head that dissipates leaving little lacing, hazy

S: strawberries over a light grainyness

T: sweet strawberries mix nicely with the wheat flavors,

M: light and refreshing

O: this is a good fruit beer that doesn't have a syrupy fake taste

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 22:32:15 | More by M_C_Hampton

metter98

New York

3.63/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off white head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles on the surface and lots of lacy rings of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of strawberries are present in the nose along with some notes of wheat. The smell becomes a little stronger as the beer warms up.
T: The taste has pleasant flavors of strawberries along with hints of wheat and a slight amount of bitterness. The best way I can describe the strawberries is that they taste like a Starburst candy but without the associated sweetness.
M: It feels light-bodied (but not watery) on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I really enjoyed this beer, particularly its strawberry flavors since they seemed unique and didn't have any sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:32:53 | More by metter98

tdm168

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - dark gold with a big, frothy, fizzy, bubbly, pure white head that has decent retention

S - smells a bit like strawberries and cream; lots of strawberry syrup

T - similar to the nose; the strawberries taste almost like strawberry ice cream

M - medium bodied, crisp, well carbonated

This is actually a rather decent beer. The strawberries are pretty much the only flavor that comes through and it's sweet and a bit syrupy. But in both the nose and taste its like strawberries and cream. The flavor reminds me exactly like strawberry ice cream. This isn't a fantastic beer and certainly not one I would drink a lot of at once, but this was a nice, refreshing change of pace for me. I'm glad I tried it. I may pick it up again.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:43:47 | More by tdm168

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.55/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager has a thick, off-white, foamy head, a hazy, straw appearance, with some bubble streams and little white specs throughout, and some thin lacing left behind. The aroma is of strawberry-flavored hard candy, shortcake, candy sugar, and white bread. Taste is of yeasty bread, confectionery sugar, white bread crust, Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, strawberry seeds, and there is an underlying strawberry juice flavor with this. Mouthfeel is light and watery, with some slickness, actually, and Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager finishes dry, super sweet, and sugary. Overall, for a beer in general it’s okay, but it’s a very good flavored, gimmick beer. I suppose it’s worth trying.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 13:41:09 | More by RonaldTheriot

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.44/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

"Abita Strawberry Harvest is a lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Real Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtration resulting in a crisp lager with a sweet strawberry flavor, aroma and haze." Purchased a marked down six pack in late fall of this seasonal, although it is also available in the Party Pack when in season. Best by date is 10/30/12. Brewed in the style of a pale wheat lager with fruit added.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to my Abita pint glass. Served upwards of 45º Fahrenheit.

(Apperarance) Pours a fizzy, crisp and loud head of a cream white tone that recedes at an above average rate. Body color is a slightly pale yellow with an intense amount of visible carbonation. Surprisingly little "strawberry-esque" color tones of purple, red or pink hues are notable in the color. A mild haze gives a notch of depth. Really crisp head initially but it settles to a much more pleasing soapy foam surface cover instead of fading away. Lacing is spotty but certainly substantial. Not bad. 3.75

(Smell) Interesting strawberry presence, certainly juice-like but very sweet. It reminds me of a cross between trix cereal and a kid's minute maid strawberry juice cocktail. The overall consensus is that it is very sweet and the strawberry sweetness dominates the nose. Wheat certainly would be a complimentary grain but I don't gather much from pilsner malts nor do I smell a hop presence here either. Could have done better with a lesser strawberry presence or added at a different time. It's pleasing to the nose like candy or fruit roll-ups would be and based off the aroma alone, it smells as if a kid could even enjoy the aroma of this, but it's not likely to be a favorite of those who enjoy a balance in their beer. 3

(Taste) Much better flavor than the taste. A definite wheat profile is evident, with a crackery crispness of pilsner malts, and the strawberry character, while still dominant, is at least closer to being in balance, and provides a lesser distracting strawberry cream tone which pairs surprisingly well with the malt bill. Strawberry tartness is also evident in this stage, balancing out the sweetness somewhat. Hops, while still tough to find, do present a touch of welcome bitterness on the finish and round out the sweetness a notch. Balance is still distinctly sweet, but not nearly as intense as I had predicted. One thing I could have preferred was a slight increase in the wheat body, which would have thickened the flavor a touch, balanced the strawberry even more and better complimented the texture too. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Surprisingly mild carbonation presence with a touch of creamy texture. Body is light/medium for wheat lagers and light overall. Alcohol presence is very low to none, almost completely washed by the strawberries. Pleasing creamy texture works much better than I would have expected it to for the beer but the body has so much more potential to improve. Beneath the strawberry flavor, it just feels too shallow in places and couldn't carry itself on malt and hops alone. 3.75

(Overall) Despite frightening first impressions of the intense strawberry flavor, this beer toned down and provided a little more strawberry diversity, like a mild tartness that better balanced out the tastes. My biggest bummer is the general light malt bill, which is noticeable even under the strawberries and cream taste and texture, and if increased a couple of spaces, would improve this beer's flavor and depth even more. Still, a surprisingly drinkable and enjoyable strawberry wheat lager. 3.5

Abita Brewing Company's
Strawberry Harvest Lager
3.44/5.00

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 17:47:13 | More by Jadjunk

jmbranum

Oklahoma

4.33/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of the best fruit beers I have had in some time. Very, very balanced.

Pours a light gold liquid with a slight hazy and a very generous white head.

Aroma is pleasant and malty with a tinge of strawberries.

The flavor - impeccably good. Not too sweet (like most fruit beers) but also with enough substance to be good. A nice blend of lager crispness and wheat ale tangyness. A little bit of hops. Strawberries are present but not dominant. Lingering aftertaste that moves in a more sweet direction.

Good medium mouthfeel. Not too carbonated. Feels very nice on the tongue.

Overall, a very surprising beer. I liked it!

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 15:49:18 | More by jmbranum

kylehay2004

Florida

3.18/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

single finger white head with poor retention on a hazy pale golden body. Aroma of strawberry and raspberry with a grain base which isnt that sweet. Flavors are also of strawberry and raspberry, sweetest in the finish with a very light malt and grain base. Also has orange peel notes. Light body and high carbonation. This one is refreshing. Not too sweet. Not a beer or a style for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 01:46:55 | More by kylehay2004

mgironta

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Upon first pour, there’s a one finger head that dissipates quickly with little to no lacing. Unlike the raspberry beers I’ve been having lately, there’s no pink or reddish color to it. It’s a slightly cloudy light golden yellow with visible, active, carbonation. On the nose is, you guessed it, strawberries, but also a little bit of wheat. On first sip, I remember how easy it is to put these away on a hot day. I was discussing today how I have a hard time drinking heavy beers in the summer, and it’s because of how easy these types of beers go down in the heat. There’s definite strawberries on the taste, but it’s not overwhelming. The carbonation is pleasant. It’s almost like the “beer taste” stands up to the strawberries. It’s not syrupy or sweet like some fruit beers. It’s what I would call “well balanced.” This is probably one of the most drinkable beers I’ve had.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:16:49 | More by mgironta

KajII

North Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a cloudy medium golden yellow with an average (1-2 finger) white pillowy head that receded slowly down to a thick film with a medium collar and had excellent sheets of streaky lacing.

The aroma was pretty basic with the scent of strawberries almost overpowering everything else, but I did notice a bit of grain malts and a mild sweaty yeast.

The taste was mildly sweet and had a light malty feel with a hint of strawberry and a mild touch of grain throughout. The flavor lasted an average time after the swallow, with a mildly bitter and slightly fruity aftertaste.

Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a fizzy carbonation.

Overall a smooth easy to drink Fruit Lager with a nice low ABV. This is a brew that is refreshingly fruity and would be great on a hot summer’s day...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 20:00:14 | More by KajII

smakawhat

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle served into a shaker pint glass, in Bristol RI. From notes, consumed 12-8-2012.

A faint straw gold body, lively carbonation and a nice foamy and creamy head produced at about two fingers size. As pale as this is it does look inviting to some extent with a good interesting head.

Nose is a strange grainy character, but also a nice fruit balance as well. It smells incredibly clean, with an almost sanitized perfection in a way. Strawberry fruit is a little burried.

Palate hits with an interesting body and a very fruity finish. Strawberry fruit character really opens up on the swallow, the cleanliness really seems aparant on this giving a real crisp but also wet an almost non beer like qualitiy. I wouldn't say it's so much wet or water, but it's like a very clean fiji water or something.

Overall kind of fun, very fruit forward, but not very beer like either. It's a fun beer once in awhile, but can't say I really desire it, but I wont turn it down.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 23:06:10 | More by smakawhat

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a stubby 12-oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint glass.

A: Poured a very light, slightly hazy, yellow color with a sudsy, three-finger head of white carbonation. Slight wisps of yeast are seen floating throughout the brew.

S: Light, fruity aroma of sweet strawberry juice and a slight whiff of spicy hops.

T: Sweet, lightly toasted grains hit the palate first, but the strawberry juice is present right from the get-go. Lightly sweet and sticky strawberry juice imparts a slight candy flavor before a slight tang of wheat malts chime in, setting up for a mildly herbal and semi-dry strawberry finish.

M: Crisp, sweet and refreshing on the palate. Only a little stickiness from the strawbeery juice. Vanguard hops dry the feel enough and wheat malts add a spicy twang also.

O: A tasty, light, great smelling fruit lager, Abita's Strawberry Harvest is not too tough to handle and isn't artificial in any way I can sense. I liked the blend of wheat, light grains and faint strawberries throughout the brew. The 4.2% ABV is highly sessionable and I could see have a few on a sunny bayou.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 00:05:46 | More by Gambrinus1184