Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Abita Purple Haze Wheat Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 23, 2008 6:00PM

The Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, Louisiana makes some fine brews. With the recent run of good weather, we needed something to wash down the catfish po'boy we had at Dixie Kitchen the other day, as well.

Lucky for us, Dixie Kitchen has a wide selection of Abita brews on their menu. One of our favorites is the "Purple Haze" wheat ale. this is an American-style wheat ale (think "312" or New Holland's "Zoomer") with raspberry puree added after filtration for flavor and some light color. Does it defeat the purpose of filtration? Probably, but looking for traces of raspberry puree is like searching for the Wonka golden ticket. Or, if we keep with the beer theme, the Pawtucket Pat golden ticket. The flavor of raspberry is noticeable, but not overbearing. We looked far and wide for traces of puree in the beer, and found none. But the carbonation on this was something to behold. The finish on Purple Haze, like with many wheat ales, is dry.

In addition to Dixie Kitchen you should be able to find Purple Haze, and other Abita offerings, at many of the local beer bars and liquor stores around town. The weather is currently favorable for a bottle or two of Abita Purple Haze raspberry wheat ale, Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."