ABITA Brewing Company

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SELECT

Abita Select is an exclusive premium draft product line from Abita featuring a new style every few months.

 

BELGIAN WHITE

Released April 2005

History of the beer style
White beer is a style of beer that originated in the Louvain region of Belgium in the 16th century. What made the beer different is that it was brewed with unmalted wheat and spices. This gave the beer a very distinct taste and cloudy appearance. It also made brewing very difficult, which is why the beers were not commercially brewed until the 1970s, although it was brewed by local villagers in the region through the centuries. In the 1970s a renaissance of the style occurred in Hoegaarden, Belgium when brewmaster Pierre Celis began to commercially produce the beer he had grown up drinking in his village. Traditionally, most Belgian White beers are spiced with coriander and orange peels, but some also include spices such as juniper and nutmeg. These brews are also unfiltered and have a cloudy appearance and fruity yeast taste.

Abita's Select Belgian White
Our Belgian White is made with light pale malt, malted wheat, unmalted wheat, and oats. The oats are added to give a very light color as well as body to the beer. The wheat is used for a couple of reasons. First, with its high protein content, it is used to make the beer cloudy. Also, when it is mixed with the special Belgian yeast it will give a fruity aroma and taste. The beer is hopped very lightly with English Kent Golding hops so as to not overpower the spices. Finally, in keeping with tradition, it is spiced with coriander and orange peels. Also, like all other Belgian White beers, it is unfiltered. This will make the beer slightly cloudy, but it will also make it more flavorful. The result is a cloudy but light colored beer with a pleasant fruity aroma and refreshing aftertaste. Summer is approaching which means that an Abita Belgian White will be the perfect refreshment to get you through the sultry summer heat.

Food Pairings
Belgian White beers are very versatile and can compliment a number of dishes quite well. This brew pairs well with salads, as long as the dressing is not overwhelmingly sweet. A crabmeat salad (a New Orleans favorite) in a light vinegarette dressing would be perfect. Belgian White beers are great with fish, even the most delicate ones. They pair well with shrimp and lobster, as long as the dishes are not too spicy. Thai dishes, which often have citric notes in their flavor profile, would also perfectly compliment the orange flavors in the Belgian White.