Last week I spent an extended long weekend in New Orleans with a good group of friends. In addition to seeing some gators and binging on fried shrimp po-boys, I had to check out the local craft beer scene. Now the Big Easy is certainly no beer mecca, but there was more than enough tasty beer to complement the seafood and live music.
Smoky Mary
New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company (NOLA)
5.90% ABV | B+ / 3.95
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Had a pint a NY Pizza on Magazine St. in New Orleans. I had the odd urge to eat this beer, the mix of spice and smoke with toasty malt and caramel reminds me of food. Or at least it'd make a great pairing with anything spicy. This is surprisingly complex for an amber, or smoked ale, with a great balance between the smoke and malt. Find this beer.
LA-31 Bière Pâle
Bayou Teche Brewery
B / 3.63
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Picked up a 6-pack from Roushes in New Orleans. It poured a clear amber with a short head, but left sticky lacing. The aroma is a bread crust and light toffee mix with a touch of honey, but little hops character. There's a pleasant piney, lemon hop finish that balances out the sweet malts. This is certainly on the hoppy end of the style's spectrum, but it's a good beer. Drinkable and malty with a respectable hops component. Worth a try.
Hopitoulas IPA
New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company (NOLA)
B+ / 4 | 6.50% ABV
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had a few pints around New Orleans, easily one of the best beers in town. I loved the contrast of fruity, floral hops up front, with a rich, deep grapefruit and pine finish. Mixed in for balance was a healthy share of bready, toffee malt to balance out the bitterness. Overall, a damned tasty IPA.
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