Abbey Ale - Abita Brewing Co.

rxharr6

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +33.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Deep amber color, clouds nicely with a bottle swirl before pour if you like the lees otherwise pours crystal amber worthy of the gems darker varieties.
The nose is fresh baked bread and pears.
The alchohol makes it a sharp first taste but with a smooth finish.
Full malty flavor with slight bitter after taste similar to that found in a lambic
Nice carbonation, tiny bubbles, piour to a creamy white head.
Excellent winter bear.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 23:41:04 | More by rxharr6

Krishob

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Wife and I happened to be out & she noticed this lil beverage store tucked away in the corner. I happened to see this in the cooler & snatched it up. Time to see if it was worth the wait.

650ML Bottle, 8% ALC by vol.
Served into a hybrid pint/tulip glass

Appearance - Wow!! this poured a rich amber. 2 - 3 fingers of head that reduced slowly. It has a very rich head not a bright white foam but more like a froth that lingered & was a very light amber in color. towards the bottom it is clear & clean, but as you get closer to the head that is still nice & creeping down the sides as it reduces becomes darker.

Smell - roasted bicuity malts, hops are piny & spice/clove smelling but in a good way. Makes you want to taste it to see if this is as warm feeling as it smells.

Taste - There is a good sharp bitter from the hops but it blends well with the doughy sweetness that malts give. It has a spice that is noticeable but it is not offensive. the sweetness from the malts is really nice and soft. You can taste the different ingredients but they are well blended and seem to compliment each other very well.

Mouthfeel - This is not heavy but defiantly not light. It falls somewhere in between. It coats your palate & as you swallow you can still feel it on the inside of your mouth. It is very soothing in that the slight carbonation that it has along with the spice allow you to feel little points of contact this coating effect. It very smooth & warming, something good to share with some buddies during winter. A nice cigar would hurt as well.

Drinkability - This is defiantly an easy drinker. Goes down smooth, its comforting. It is also a very filling beer. As long as there is room in the tank I would drink as much as I could. Glad for the size since that means was more for me to have after reviewing.

Salude!!!!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2010 03:58:46 | More by Krishob

GRG1313

California

4.47/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very dark brown/orange in color with a nice thick head. Wonderful fruit/malt nose. Nice creamy mouth feel. Flavors are layered and complex of fruit, carmel, malt and clove. A very pleasant dried apricot light hop finish. Best Arbita brew I've tried. Great take on an Abbey Ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2009 05:47:03 | More by GRG1313

BeerManDan

California

4.47/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an excellent Abbey Ale. The color was a deep-golden with hues of orange. The smell of soft malts and hops had a magnificent aroma. The taste had a sweet maltiness and mild hops flavor. Overall, Fruity aroma, soft, sweet maltiness and just a pleasant tasting Ale. One of Abita's better beers!

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2009 18:45:47 | More by BeerManDan

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This pours a clear, medium brown color with a mild, malty scent. The taste is sweet, malty, and toasty mixed with hints of fruits. It finishes clean and refreshing. Quite a well made Abbey Ale from the Deep South. This is a must try if you can find it in your area!

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 05:20:49 | More by Lemke10

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another classic from Abita Brewing. This ale has a creamy, beige head, a beautiful, somewhat cloudy, amber hue, and a caramel-type aroma. The taste is mildly bitter and sweet with roasted nut notes. There is almost no trace of an alcohol taste, however, even with the high (8% abv.) alcohol content. Mouth feel is even. Overall, a top-notch product.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2010 18:30:37 | More by RonaldTheriot

boutleg32

Alabama

4.4/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep red/mahogony. Good lacing. Nice 2 inch head.

S - Sweet smell of cherries and cinnamon but not overpowering.

T - Lighter than the look but hints of raisen with a good aftertaste. Alcohol is very present but not over the top

M - In my opinion, it is the best part of the beer. Medium carbonation which is exactly where an Abbey Ale should be.

D - It meets all expectation. Not on the level with Chimay or other Monk beers but extremely satisfying.

Overall- As a student of St. Joseph's Seminary, this beer is a source of income for all us all. 25 cents of every bottle goes to monks here at the Abbey in St. Benedict, LA. It's a very drinkable beer that Benedictine Monks of the Catholic Church have learned to perfect worldwide. It is meets all expectations of the art of brewing beer at monasteries. Again, it may not be as great as some of the Trappist Monastery Ales of Europe but it comes close at a better price. Vivat Christus Rex!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 06:59:49 | More by boutleg32

ikantspel

California

4.38/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml into a duvel tulip

pours a beautiful honey amber with a slight creamy looking head

fruity, plums, caramel, and malty goodness

follows the nose almost exactly except you can taste the spices (clove). alittle sweet upfront but balances toward the end.

this dubbel is smooth, creamy, and tasty. not dry and not too carbonated.

spent $5 for this badboy at bevmo. honestly, one of the best american belgian styles i have tried

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 05:15:33 | More by ikantspel

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.36/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass, amber brown colored with a big fluffy light tan head that dissipates leaving some lacing, almost clear

S: caramel malt, yeast, fresh bread, dates, prunes, slight bananas

T: big malt profile up front, no hop bitterness, almost not hop flavor thoughout, yeast, sweet grains, raisins, figs, brown sugar, honey, very sweet flavor

M: alcohol is well hidden, syruppy quality, carbonation makes this more tolerable though and serves to break up the viscosity some

O: interesting take on a Dubbel from our Cajun friends, has a very noursing quality almost like the "liquid bread" mentioned on the bottle, good complexity of flavors present, worth trying if you are an Abita fan or are interested in domestic Dubbels

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 21:16:41 | More by M_C_Hampton

BeerDawg1

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Aroma-nice strong smell/fruity/malty/earthy and bready

Appearence-caramel in color/sediment suspended nicly in middle of glass/nice retention/frothy head

Flavor-malty earthy undertones/fruity not citrusy overtones/nice finish sits on the pallette easily/subtle taste of currant

Mouthfeel-smooth/slight dry hop/nice finish leaves you wanting more

Drinkability-very very drinkable although I couldnt drink it al night long

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2010 00:56:02 | More by BeerDawg1

diamondc

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Excellent head, great Belgian lacing. Typical murky muddy water-like Dubbel appearance.

S: Cocoa powder, cloves, spicy pepper-like with some tropical fruit overtones.

T: Ripe tropical fruits, cloves, cookie dough, burnt caramel, some Raisinettes candy action going on on the aftertaste. Little to no hop action.

M/D: Hits all the Dubbel notes well. The sweetness lingers for a long time, but never gets too syrupy or cloying. Best Abita beer I've had so far.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 07:08:07 | More by diamondc

DerekP

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Notes from 3/3/12

22 oz bottle cost me $4.95, poured into the widest wine glass I own (took about 3 pours to finish the bottle).

Dark-maraschino cherry red body with a a sticky beige head. Good retention. Lively carbonation with bubbles still visibly rising to the top.

Rich in the nose with warm phenolic yeast, fruity & spicy esters. Hard candy, sticky sweetness. Overripe banana. Fragrant, burnt brown sugar & toasted vanilla. At 8%, this brew hides the booze exceptionally well.

Crisp and prickly up front with toasted notes, yeasty sweetness, spicy hops, clove, leaf texture. Very smooth hops bitterness washes away nicely with a friendly yeast flavor that lingers. Hangs around like a tasty wine, only better. Grows creamy as it warms. Depth & character shines through this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 01:34:57 | More by DerekP

BeerSox

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into 25oz snifter.

Deep mahogany hue with a two finger tan head that slowly settles to a thick even cap, leaving behind a solid wall of lacing. The beer is opaque, but has a ruby glow when held up to the light.

An abundance of sugar fruit along with some earthy yeast tones. The yeast also gives off a bit of sharp phenols.

Like most Belgian Ales, the yeast does most of the talking. Up front are the spicy and peppery phenols. A little bit of clove is in the background. A hint of creaminess is in the background.

This is an excellent Dubbel, on par with the best Belgian ones. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 02:00:14 | More by BeerSox

depechemode1983

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep mahogany, with reddish hues. Awesome tan head that has incredible retention. It stays around for quite awhile. Lacing is moderate on this one but still pretty good.

S - Very sweet nose. Picking up lots of dark fruits. Raisins an cherries mainly. There's also some cinnamon and clove spice to it. Its very aromatic. All the smells are robust.

T - Taste is a little lighter than expected. Its a little winy. With some brown sugar and raisin notes. I'm also picking up some of the alcohol. Finish is a bit sweet and sour.

M - Mouth feel is perfect for these sorts of flavors. Medium bodied with bubbly medium carbonation. Excellent.

D - This is a damn good beer. Very drinkable. I wonder how something like this would age. Well worth the price. I would buy this again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 00:40:30 | More by depechemode1983

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark, amber-brown color, the head fizzles out fast and is gone pretty quick but in classic Belgian-style fashion the center is full of life and remains bubbly for the session.

The aroma has tangy, citric fruitiness, sour yeast, smoked maple ham, wild sour green grape effect...really very nice.

This is a light, crispy and jazzy feel just as it should be with a medium feel from good malt complexity that has brown sugar, maple syrup, balanced by a wonderfully dry-earthy crispness. all aspects are bold and enjoyable. not as lush feeling as some other very high quality Dubbles but it's pretty nice.

This is a rather excellent American brwed Belgian style. I really appreciate this one because this was the very first style of beer I ever brwed.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 20:21:32 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

JayS2629

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light amber color with creamy white head, good retention and creamy walls of lace.

The smell is of sugary malt, brown sugar, freshly baked bread, some dark fruit, apricot, sour yeasts, hay, bananas and spice. Some clove and nutmeg.

The taste is light and sweet with fruity notes of banana and cherry, some plum and apricot. Some musty notes and spices. Clove is nicely balanced with other spices and sugary notes. Belgian yeast shines.

Medium bodied, nice, light carbonation and creaminess.

Overall a very good version of the style. Alcohol well hidden and very tasty. Nicely balanced.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 11:29:16 | More by JayS2629

jfro

New York

4.3/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- dark amber/tan, decent head

S- very strong malt up front, sweetness, perhaps a bit of caramel malt

T- Malty sweetness, dark fruits (fig, plum, currant)

M- Ah here is where they nailed it, not too thin, not too chewey. Perfecto!

D- I could drink this dubbel for a long time if it was not 8 abv. fantastic. A rather impressive offering from the brewery I first became acquainted with while doing recover work post Katrina!

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 03:09:06 | More by jfro

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Abita Abbey Ale , 22 oz. bomber

Clear, dusky auburn appearance, solid, 1/2 " cocoa & cream head.

Aroma: sweet and spicy, brown sugar & molasses, caramel malt, a little nutty.

Taste: sweetness and richness aplenty. dark fruit, spicy malt. I keep looking for serious flaws, but I honestly can't find any. Smooth, alcohol stays cloistered, figs and cloves, delicious and a delight to drink.

Medium bodied, long finish, wonderful dubbel from Louisiana, who would have thunk it.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 09:42:40 | More by feloniousmonk

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another one from my in-person trade with twiggamortis420, thanks Greg!!

Pours red tinged chestnut with 2 fingers of sand colored head. Good lacing & head retention

S: Fusel booze, much frui7tyness, raisins, & oakyness

T: Apricot & plum, plus dryness up front, plus oaky notes. I get hints of tabacco as this warms along with candi sugar, a touch of tangerine & jammy notes. Finishes with more fruittyness, green bananas, candi sugar & dryness

MF: Slick, medium bodied with pretty firm carbonation

Drinks great for the style & abv; maybe the single best beer I've had from these guys. I always thought their mainstream stuff,was well, too damn middle of the road, this one rocks, well done Abita!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2009 02:08:27 | More by russpowell

steveshields

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm not a huge Abita fan though I have tried a few of their brews before. I was looking for a new Belgian or Belgian Style to try today and happened to find Abbey by Abita at Danny's Liquor across the street. I don't know how I never saw this at the store before but I bet on it.

The beer looks great- dark copper/amber with a nice cloud-like head. Not quite as dark as I like but still a good looking Abbey.

SMELLS delicious. Rich clove, which I LOVE. Smells like an awesome Christmas night. Very spicy- not hot, just lots of spices. This would go so good with some sharp cheddar and sliced ham. (Ooh! A food pairing suggestion- new for me.)

Tastes good! Mouth feel is good but has a heavy finish. I gave it the second-highest drinkability because I would drink this beer any day.

Grab an Abita Abbey if you're looking to try a unique, abbey style ale. It's delicious.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2009 22:30:39 | More by steveshields

BillyPirate

Arkansas

4.19/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a snifter

A - Nice fluffy head with impressive lacing. Dark golden hue.

S - Distinct presence of banana, plum esters.

T - Ripened banana tempered by caramel. Does an excellent job of masking its 8% ABV. Slight but pleasant peppery aftertaste.

M - Great balance between slick and mildly chewy.

O - Not a big fan of Abita but this is an excellent and very accessible representation of a Belgian dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 14:36:19 | More by BillyPirate

bmwats

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 650ml bottle into my Orval chalice.

A: Medium brown, dark amber with a reddish hue. Very slight off-white head which quickly dissipates, although pockets of bubbly carbonation do remain of the surface. No lacing to speak of.

S: Sweet rich malt, nuts, raisin, and baked bread. Molasses and ginger (makes me think of gingerbread). Some indistinguishable [to me] spice.

T: Malt is not dark, but does have a roasted flavor. Sweet and syrupy (but not too sweet, just a hint). A nuttiness, a touch of bittersweet chocolate, some butterscotch, and a pungent peaty undertone. Also has a slight fruity flavor, maybe fig or date. Maybe a hint of some clove, also.

M: Thick and coating. Strong alcohol taste (as you would expect). Pungent aftertaste remains. Hearty and robust.

D: Excellent sipping brew.

Pretty decent atmosphere. Nose is complex, and spread out but really balanced with a nice collections of malty and sweet aromas. Flavor also offers complexity, and great balance. It is sweet and syrupy, but not overwhelmingly so. Balanced with a spicy pungency, and mitigated by a strong alcohol feel. Aftertaste stands out, but is not arresting. Great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 05:27:58 | More by bmwats

KeefD

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to deepsouth for this extra in a trade! Nice painted label bottle. Pours a nice dark amber color with a small head that was gone quickly, leaving sparse lacing. Aroma is Belgian yeast, clove, caramel, light chocolate notes, bready, warm. Flavor is nice! Good amount of Belgian yeast, some burnt toffee and caramel, a touch of chocolate, light raisin, dark fruit, light spiciness. Not really complex, but can't complain. It tastes good. Alcohol is a little too prevalent, though. A bit thin on the tongue, alcohol warmth is there, but it's fairly well integrated. A nice take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 16:59:58 | More by KeefD

Brad007

Vermont

4.18/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice amber color with a frothy head that fades a bit to leave some lacing on the glass.

Aroma is full of raisin and plum that mingle with the spice from the yeast. Pretty low-key here.

Taste is full of plum, raisin and even a small hint of grape, followed by slight alcohol warmth. Lots of flavor.

Mouthfeel is slightly thin but otherwise full of lingering flavors (plum, grape, raisin).

All I can say is that this is done quiet well and worth trying. Lots of flavor. Easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2010 04:17:41 | More by Brad007

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Keg Liquor.

A - Poured a clear copper color with a huge frothy off-white head that mostly lasted with excellent lacing.

S- Moderate to heavy herbs, malt, yeast and alcohol aroma.

T - Medium to heavy bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish and small alcohol bite of moderate duration.

M - Medium body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation.

D - I would recommend this beer to a freind as a drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2009 00:29:13 | More by tmoneyba