Mardi Gras Bock - Abita Brewing Co.

UCLABrewN84

California

3.3/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Best by 6/3/13.

Pours a hazy dark orange with a foamy orange-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, and sugary aromas. Taste is much the same with malty and slight vegetal flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer that is drinkable but not something I would go after again.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 03:14:56 | More by UCLABrewN84

metter98

New York

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is crystal clear yellowish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: The smell is rather malty and has hints of floral hops.
T: Like the smell, the taste is very malty with hints of bready, caramel and pale malts along with hints of spicy hops and a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels nearly medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: While this beer is rather malty, it's not overly filling and seems to have a good balance between the different malts so not one flavor dominates.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 21:35:07 | More by metter98

kojevergas

California

2.66/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Acquired for $.99 at Total Wine. 6.5% ABV confirmed. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with generic label art and branded pressure cap served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are low.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 4 finger head of nice soft cream and thickness, and good (5+ minute) retention for the above average ABV. Body colour is a clear translucent copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Nothing unique or special here, but there are no overt flaws.

Sm: Clean malts, barley, minimal floral hops, caramel, and metallic character. Grains. No yeast character or alcohol comes through. A mild strength aroma.

T: Clean and malty. Mild floral hops. Painfully simple. Grassy. There's really just not much to say about it; there's very little going on here. Lacks complexity and subtlety. No yeast character or alcohol comes through. Generic and bland.

Mf: Light buttery quality. Smooth and wet. Thick. Carbonation is a bit too high. Heavy presence on the palate. Suits the flavour profile generally, but doesn't feel custom-tailored to it.

Dr: A drinkable maibock from Abita, but a very simple uninspired one. I wouldn't get this again, even at this sale price. Very underwhelming pedestrian beer. Not worth trying. Wouldn't recommend this to friends.

C-

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 05:31:54 | More by kojevergas

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Yeah, it's been about a month since Fat Tuesday, but, hey, it ain't Easter yet, right? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear bronze topped by a couple fingers of light cream-white foam. The nose comprises mild mixed greens, light sweet biscuit, and a twinge of marshmallow. The taste brings in more of the same, only now things are brighter, more expressive, and a bit heavier on the greens (but not by too much more). The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a relatively smooth feel. Overall, a nice little maibock, nothing worth a party, but a welcome addition to anyone's Spring lineup.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 07:07:02 | More by TMoney2591

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a middle of the road amber color, similar to a lager.
S - Smells decent good malt aroma, some nice dry hop scents, and earthy fresh undertones.
T - Taste lacks from what you smell, you get the big malt backbone, but not much in the taste of the hops that should be there, especially for a maibock.
M - Sweet malt hangs clings on and you feel the alcohol a bit.
O - Not bad, but not superb, about middle of the road, but thinking of maibock's I really havent had one that's been great to me. Still worth having.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 23:01:33 | More by Omnium

dreedvol

North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Honey to amber color, clear with a slight head.

Aroma is caramel, slightly chocolate.

Taste is similar though a slight citrus hint is noted. Relatively clean.

Smooth and slightly prickly carbonation. Light, nice finish.

Hard to taste much in the way of hops. Not a veteran of this genre of beer but it drinks easily though not as complex as others. It's ok but not my favorite. Would be easy to drink a ton of these at mardi gras so I guess it works for that.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 04:08:13 | More by dreedvol

Goosehunter75

Missouri

3.69/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured a reddish honey with lots of bubbles and at least a two finger offwhite head that hung around for some time.

S - Huge malt smell upfrunt. Also detected grass, yeast, and even a little lemon

T - Very tasty. Started off quite sweet. Big tastes of malts and caramel. Hand sort of a tangy finish.

M - Very light and smooth. Easy to drink. Very enjoyable.

O - I was impressed with this beer. I found it easy to drink, but still moderately complex with lots of flavor. I will definately pick it up again next year.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 01:20:19 | More by Goosehunter75

scratch69

Missouri

4.29/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I poured a bottle into a mug.

Appearance- Clear golden amber color with two fingers of foamy, white head. Good retention with a fair amount of lacing.

Smell- Bread, caramel, and grain.

Taste- Sweet malty flavor with some bread and caramel notes.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied and smooth. An average amount of carbonation.

Overall- A very drinkable beer and a nice example of the maibock style.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 20:28:09 | More by scratch69

CloudStrife

New York

3.56/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Best by 05/11/13.

A: Pours a clear amber with a 1 finger mostly white head. Low to average visible carbonation. Some lacing when the head dissipates and as I sip.

S: There is a pale malt profile that seems to dominate. Has a slightly crackery and doughy aroma. Some of the yeastiness comes through.

T: Fairly malt forward brew but with a light malt character. First I noticed some carmel sweetness, then sort of a bready backbone. Some hops do balance it out but the aftertaste is a smooth pale malt.

M: Fairly light body, mild carbonation. Just a bit of stickiness to it from the malt. Remains a very drinkable brew.

Overall its not a bad beer but it isnt very exciting. None of the categories besides it look were very impressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 00:38:16 | More by CloudStrife

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.85/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a nice finger and half of head on a clear, dark copper colored body.
The aroma is barnyard and and bread in a weird way.
The taste starts out with grain, then a malty sweetness and finishes with a white sugar sweet.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation and medium body.
It's a borderline below average drink. the taste had a artificial sweetness to it and the body didn't support the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:08:21 | More by Fatehunter

tdm168

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25

On tap at Sawmill Tap Room

A - dark gold with a thick, soft, white head that has great retention

S - very faint, almost discernible nose; maybe some faint grass and grains

T - cereal grains, bitter, some warming alcohol

M - medium bodied, well carbonated, warm

This is a rather simple though very drinkable beer. There isn't much to report in either flavor or aroma, but there aren't any off flavors either. This is a beer that you can sit back and enjoy a few of without worrying about fatigue. I'm glad I tried this one once, but I probably won't pick it up again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 01:48:11 | More by tdm168

Halcyondays

California

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a clear amber with a light white head, solid retention, no lace.

S: Some sweet caramel and grape, malt.

T: Caramel, biscuity malt, a bit cloying. One dimensional malt flavour. Solid example of the style.

M: Medium-bodied, crisp, cloying finish.

O: A OK maibock, really not doing anything that interesting. It's does its job and that's it.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 04:18:06 | More by Halcyondays

fsimcox

California

3.95/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a transparent light amber color. White foamy head dissipates quickly to a very thin white layer. Some lacing.

Smells of sweet malt, and some candied fruit. Some hints of grass and perhaps some faint smoke hints.

Taste is malt sweetness, with some sweet candied fruit in the finish. Just a hint of smoke in the background, and a little bit of spice and fruit in the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a little carbonation in the finish.

This is a good example of a Maibock. A fun beer for the fest season!

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 23:44:34 | More by fsimcox

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light amber with a frothy off-white head - good retention.

Smells of nuts, roasted malt, and sweet caramel.

Sweet caramel up front followed by roasted malt and fresh nuttiness. Then a slight hop bittering with a dry finish.

A ood solid bock - not great but easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 23:23:14 | More by Chickenhawk9932

DannyHartman

3.1/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

As I pour a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass, an average to large head develops in the glass.... It has a beautiful light amber/copper appearance that leaves light lacing as you drink it....

The smell is of heavy malt with lighter notes of citrus, caramel, and a tiny bit of cinnamon....

This beer has, similarly, a mostly malty taste with slightly sour and fruity sweetness, although the nose of the beer misleads you when you taste it as it's more dominant....

It has an average body that doesn't leave an aftertaste that lingers too long.... Overall, this beer is one the best I've tried out of the Abita brewery.... However, I was really excited at first look and smell, and slightly let down after finishing.... Not that it's bad, but it leads you to believe that it's much better.... An easier drink than you'd initially think.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 18:46:16 | More by DannyHartman

McNealc31

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours crystal clear and very light amber. Not much of a head, but it's sticking around. Smells like it's going to be a malty delight. Sweet malt and sweet citrus start off the flavor with loads of caramel and butterscotch. Hops at just a touch of bitter dryness in the finish. Kind of an earthy finish, as well.

I have a feeling the influence from the hops would be great if this were fresher, but it's mighty tasty and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 03:34:57 | More by McNealc31

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ba Review #181
Served On: 06/28/2012
Glassware: Sam Adams Perfect Pint
Labeled ABV: 6.5%
Date/ Code: -

This was in the 2012 spring mixed 12 pack.

Look: Had a light copper color - bordering on dark gold or bronze. Very clear with good carbonation. The head was a coating of foam that hung around the entire time. Lacing was excellent.

Smell: Fresh baked bread with a hint of toasted cinnamon bun.

Taste: First off was a nice rich malty sweetness that moved into notes of cracker and biscuit. The middle was a slight sour note that faded into some bitterness.

This was certainly a smooth Bock with plenty of character. It was rather light on the palate, but seemed to work well as a spring seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 02:17:38 | More by CraftBeerTastic

jar2574

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a disappointing head and OK lacing. Orange beer. The smell is malty, slightly licorice, and sweet. The taste is malt dominated, sweet, with a licorice flavor that may be coming from the hops, not sure about that. Sugary, tastes a little like a Mardi Gras king cake. My favorite Abita offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 01:06:31 | More by jar2574

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I am on an Abita kick currently and I am switching back & forth between CANs and bottles. I just did not feel ready for a CANned IPA as a nightcap, so I went with my last bottle.

From the bottle: "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."; "Best By 6/13/12".

What is it about Abita beers that creates such massive head?!? A light-handed pour still garnered two-plus fingers of eggnog-colored head with great retention on this humid evening. Color was a coppery-amber with NE-quality clarity. Nose was rich with malty sweetness, perhaps too much for my taste as a self-avowed hophead. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full with a pleasant effervescence that seemed to fill my mouth. The sweetness was not as prevalent on the tongue as it had been on the nose and I found myself enjoying it more than I had expected. In fact, it was so smooth as to be dangerous as over half of it was gone from my glass before I realized it! My my. Finish was semi-dry as there was some inherent sweetness in it, but nothing like the nose had led me to expect. Highly drinkable, but be careful.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 01:33:55 | More by woodychandler

GossageBrewery

Missouri

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

Poured this Maibock from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This brew poured a clear amber color, produced a thick clingy head, featured excellent retention and excellent lacing. The aroma consisted of malted barley and earth. Medium in body, this Maibock featured a malted grain backbone, some notes of caramel, fresh baked bread and sweet malt. Fruity esters from the yeast were also present. Balanced nicely with spicy hops, this is a nice session beer- excellent example of an American Craft version of a german classic. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 16:53:33 | More by GossageBrewery

Hibernator

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Abita Mardi Gras Bock
12 oz brown bottle
Best by 06/20/12 jet ink on the side of the bottle
Served in a 20 oz tulip glass

Pours a copper and shiny brown with a bleached white head that has a frothy appearance. Nice patterns of sticky webbed lace decorate the side of the glassware.

The aroma has whiffs of grains, cereal and a touch of fruit in the background.

A grainy, malty and cereal flavor provides the backbone with a smooth yeast flare. Some sips give me a hint of pear or apple fruit sweetness. The hop profile is minimal and I'd say this is true to the style and easy to drink.

I leave for the Big Easy tomorrow morning and I plan on drinking my fair share of Abita in the coming days.

Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 00:18:10 | More by Hibernator

kylehay2004

Florida

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

A: single finger head with little retention. Crimson with golden hues, clear body.

S: malt with a mild nutmeg, honey and cinnamon note.

T: grains and malt mostly with a little grassy/sour in the finish. Not as spicey as the aroma.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: Fairly true to the style which isnt one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 01:56:05 | More by kylehay2004

rlee1390

Indiana

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

A-Clear amber, two finger head with some carbonation.

S-Malt, some spice and even some alcohol?

T-Some malt, not much spice, more of a light lagery taste, some bitterness and a little butter

M-Flat finish, light to medium bodied, but carbonated at first

O-Beer improves as it is allowed to warm, still a poor beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 21:38:05 | More by rlee1390

hosehead83

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. "shorty" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Clear gold in color, with a huge, thick head of off-white foam. Inviting.
Aroma-Bready malt, faintly floral
Taste-Sweet toasted malt, nice little hop bite provides a nice balance. Rich flavor. A nice match with a big bowl of spicy jambalaya.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 19:12:43 | More by hosehead83

magine

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a pilsner glass.

Pours a clear light copper. Tons of carbonation and bubbles cascading to the thick two finger fluffy off white head. Tons of tight bubbles make up the head. Big head remains for a while. Some patchy lace remains along the edges. Head settles to a thin layer. Decent looks.

Brew smells smokey and malty. Almost a bit of sweet yeasts as well. Musty nose even. Unique and unexpected nose. Decent.

Brew tastes crisp and spiced. Sweet malts, spicy middle and slightly dry finish. Peppery spice here as well. Almost floral and smoke in here. An interesting taste profile here for sure. It is medium in carbonation. Just a tad bit sharp feeling here. Pretty good.

A different brew here, good flavors just a bit sharp to hold my interest to session. Pretty good though.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 02:33:46 | More by magine