Abita Mardi Gras Bock
With Mardi Gras around the corner it is only fitting to take a look at Louisiana’s own Abita Mardi Gras Bock. Abita is probably considered the craft beer most associated with New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. The brewery is located about 30 miles north of New Orleans in Abita Springs/Covington, LA.
Fans of HBO’s “Treme” , set in New Orleans, would have seen Abita’s Amber taken down in many scenes. I challenge you to sit through an episode of that show without tapping your foot to the tunes… impossible even for a guy like me with zero rhythm. Anyway, back to the beer.
Here is a quick breakdown of Mardi Gras Bock with information found on the Abita website. The brewery claims this beer is best described as a German Mai Bock. They use Pale, Pilsner, and Carmel malts and German Perle Hops. ABV is 6.5% with 25 IBUs. Nutrition information is also available if you are curious, but drink the beer instead.
I will be consuming my Mardi Gras Bock from a 12 ounce bottle poured into a trusty pint mug.
Appearance is copper with a snow-white head. The head quickly recedes.
Aromas are malty, quite clean, not much really there.
Tastes I detect are obviously from the malts. I pick up biscuity, rich flavors which are sweet and a bit metallic. Not a lot of contrast in the flavors: starts rich and malty and finishes in the same manner. Ahh, maybe a little spicy bitterness.
Mouth feel is a medium body (Abita describes it as full), medium carbonation, and a dry finish.
Overall this beer is not overly impressive. I think the slight metallic taste throws me off a little, though it does check the boxes you look for in a bock. Malt forward and quite rich which sets it apart from other lagers. This beer would hold its own against some of those New Orleans creole dishes and would be easy to suck down a few. Give it a try, especially on the streets of New Orleans if you are lucky enough to be there!
Other Abita beers that I have tried and would recommend over the Mardi Gras Bock would be their other bock beer, Andygator, and a brown ale named Turbo dog. Both are pretty delicious.
Draft Notes 