Abita Save Our Shores:

Evening Ladies and Gents! Now, we enter the final day of the Abita big beers as well as their other second charitable beer. S.O.S., a beer dedicated to the revitalization of the gulf coast shore line, this charitable Pilsner was my first introduction to the Abita big beer family. A delicious Weizen Pilsner, this brew is made with a combination of wheat and pilsner malts and German hops. It’s taste is more akin to that of a German Oktoberfest beer and has a wonderful fruity aroma that borders of sweet, a nice hop flavor and a good back end bite. I really enjoy this beer as a stand alone rather than one accompanied by a meal, the flavor mix associated with the malts is not one that would really suit a particular meal, but if a pairing is warranted, I’d say a spicy meal would be a good gastro-intestinal venture.

Now our New Orleans Spirit of the day is actually a mixed drink, one of the earliest cocktails known to the United States, the Sazerac. Created in New Orleans pre-Civil War, the drink combines Herbsaint- a 100 proof alternative to absinthe-, Peychaud’s Bitters and Rye Whiskey. The drink is an acquired taste to say the least, with strong smell of liquorices and a taste of strong whiskey. The modern Sazerac is supposed to be made with actual Sazerac Rye Whiskey though any Whiskey will work just fine. In my drink tonight, I used Woodford Reserve Bourbon, though if a traditional rye is desired, I’d lean towards a Fighting Cock Rye Bourbon. If you are ever looking to try a good, unique bar in New Orleans, try the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel, a hot bed of historic interest.