Day #27- Abita Jockamo IPA

I have a strange obsession with New Orleans. Now, I have been there, but I was younger and didn't really like it. I didn't know where to look, really. And I didn't understand the culture. I was, how do you say, a close-minded, ignorant piece of crap back then.

New Orleans is the culinary capital of the United States of America. New York? No. Chicago? ha. LA? SAN FRAN? Hell no. It's New Orleans. For many reasons. The variety of cultures, the history, the hardship, the good times, the bad, the music, the poverty, the wealth, the black, the white, the indian tribes, the many others I am overlooking...

In any case, the place is vastly under-appreciated and under-estimated. The show "Treme" on HBO is a wonderful look into the city. Now, let me please state that I know absolutely nothing about New Orleans first-hand. I only know its influences. And I only know that I can't wait to go back.

In any case, its time to review a beer. Abita Jockamo is named after the Indian tribes that dance in the parades in New Orleans to the tune of, "Iko! Iko! Jockama Fen An E!"

I don't like IPAs. I just don't. I have tried, for a long while, to develop my taste to them. I felt like as a beer connoisseur that I should love them. But it just never happened. Now, let me say, there are some I can drink casually more than others, but I would never go and buy a six of IPA because I wanted to hang out with something I like to drink.

However, I love this beer. The complexity of the resolute hoppyness of a traditional IPA is matched with an Amber Ale taste. The sweetness meets the bitterness perfectly, clashing in an almost symphonic melody of perfection- to a guy who doesn't even like IPAs.

Now, let me say this, you Sierra Nevada Anniversary IPA fans, will not find this hoppy enough. I think its perfect. Like all things french/cajun/new orleans.



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I give Abita's Jockamo IPA an impressed 88.




Look: Amber Red
Smell: Sweet and Hoppy
Taste: Strikingly Sweet and Hoppy- made to perfection.


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Brett's ratings are out of 100.

*Please understand that ratings on this scale have been influenced by my scholastic history of grading. A grade below 75 is not good, it is less than average. A beer below 60 is bad. Beers in the 90s are in the upper-echelon of beers on this earth, and above 95- divinely inspired.*

As with all connoisseurs, personal taste affects all ratings. The best ratings tend to lean towards his two different biases; 1) Well-crafted heavy Stouts and 2) Lagers made with a simple perfection.

Please understand that just because Brett gives a beer a high rating doesn't mean you may think it is good. Only understand that if he gives it a high rating it is because most people who have a good taste in beer would do the same.