Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

Abita Brewing Company – Abita Springs, LA

Information: Site – “Pecan Harvest Ale is made with real Louisiana pecans that have been toasted to perfection. That makes it something really special, because most beers with a nutty flavor or aroma aren’t made with real nuts. The natural oils from the Louisiana pecans give the ale a light pecan finish and aroma.”

APV : 5.0%

Nut browns are one of my favorite beer styles. Slightly dark, always rich with nutty notes and full bodied malts and wonderful flavors. But, just as the byline says, this is definitely the first time I have actually had a nut brown with nuts actually in it! Nutty! It’s pour, oddly is more of a golden brown rather than the deeper hues one might have come to expect from a nut brown (much like Newcastle or Bell’s Best Brown – both very heavy on the nutty tones). It’s head is a stark white and very nice against the beer itself.

Ya know how when you eat a pecan and you get that little oily residue on the very back of your cheeks (where your other taste buds are… seriously, look it up) that tells you that you’ve just eaten a good nut? Yeah, this beer does precisely the same thing. Weird but not at all surprising considering. But all you nut detesters out there, please don’t let that detract from attempting this seasonal fare, it is very tasty indeed. Other hidden flavor gems floral hoppy additions (though very lightly), buttery caramel, and a touch of something akin to green tea that I can’t seem to nail down. A very smooth and complete beer with no real amazing second act. The first and the finish are amazing, but there’s something lacking in the middle. Oh well, still very good. Enjoy with cheese for sure. Also clams and oysters would be pretty amazing. Nuts? Oh yeah.

Rating: * * * *
The nuttiest beer around! Literally!