Abita Turbodog

By on August 2, 2007 @ 7 PM (4 Comments)

Turbodog is a dark brown ale brewed and bottled by Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, LA. The bottle reads that it:

  • Is brewed with a combination of pale, crystal and chocolate malts
  • Is dry-hopped with the finest Williamete hops
  • Is fermented using a unique German alt yeast
  • Uses pristine Artesian water of Abita Springs
  • Has a sweet chocolate-toffee like flavor
  • Is cold-filtered and brewed in small batches

I would say just transcribing what’s on the bottle would stand as a review, but you know as well as I do that that’s not what The BeerFathers are about.

It pours a dark brown – almost black – with a good two finger head that fades slowly leaving a thin layer that remains on the surface throughout the entire drinking session. It’s a got a chocolate and coffee smell to it, with a hint of nuttiness – I’m serving mine in a pint glass and it’s a little harder to smell out of this than the tulip glass.

The initial taste is complex – it has a sharp nuttiness to it with the chocolate predominantly jumping out. It also has a coffee undertone and a slightly toast-like taste. The aftertaste has a bit of toffee to it. The mouthfeel is rich and bold – it coats the tongue well and has some solid carbonation to it.

The malts prevail in this and it may edge a little too malty. It has a sharpness to it that could be more balanced. However, it is still wonderful and is ideal for a strong meal – think red beans and rice with a good Andouille sausage, preferably from Mulate’s. Despite the maltiness it is easy to drink even in hot weather, which is surprising considering it’s a dark ale. Maybe that’s a result of the good water they put in it.

Personally I love it – it tastes a lot like home. Sentimental? Yes, but rightfully so. You won’t want to drink it every day, but you will want a 6 pack.

Abita Turbodog Rating: 7 out of 10 (?)


4 Comments (Add Your Comments)

  1. Jon says:

    This is a very good drink. I agree with wanting a six-pack in the pantry. A little too complex for everyday but once every week or two is perfect.

  2. Dad says:

    Back in 2008 John and his wife decided that the ” MOST WONDERFUL GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE WORLD ” needed a good prenatal dose of gumbo (that’s how we hook them on gumbo) and flew to New Orleans. John called me from the first restaurant they went to in the Quarter and announced that he had Turbodog on tap and a Filet de boeuf nature thereby creating a case of Turbodog envy. I personally like Turbodog with a couple of dozen oysters on the half shell. 30 years ago 7 or 8 of the oysters usually worked but now only 2 or 3 do so obviously the quality of the oysters has gone way down, but the Turbodog is still great.

  3. Maddog says:

    I experienced Turbodog for the first time at Disney World this weekend with a fine steak and I say complex is just right every day. Just love the complexity and it remains great throughout a long meal. A great find for me.

  4. BoudinRouge says:

    I usually start out with 2 TurboDogs, Then I’ll Switch to Abita Amber for the rest of my drinking session. I’m Biased about my beer also I’m from Tee Mamou, Louisiana haha.

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