Well my friends it’s about time a few more breweries jumped on the grapefruit in a fruit beer trend. You see, I love grapefruit, and I also love the grapefruit-like citrus flavors and aroma that many varieties of American hops can impart to a beer. So with all the funky beers out there today that include all kinds of crazy ingredients, why did it take so long to see a few grapefruit fruit beers and IPAs hit the market? I have no idea.
The first such beer that I tried was Widmer Shaddock IPA, part of their Rotator series of IPAs. Next up, and only recently, was Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA (Shhh!!!That’s a Stone beer). And now of course I’m drinking the beer you’re here to read about, Abita Grapefruit Harvest IPA, a very different brew from the first two. Whereas all three call themselves India Pale Ale, the first two seem to emphasize that more than Abita Grapefruit Harvest does.
Here’s what Abita says about the beer on their website:
Abita Grapefruit Harvest is a brilliant golden IPA with a subtle zest of grapefruit flavor and aroma that enhances the strong hop character. This bright, snappy brew is made with real Louisiana Ruby-Red grapefruits, pale, pilsner and caramel malts and cascade hops.
The strong hop profile and subtle zest of grapefruit make it a good choice with grilled chicken. This brew would also pair well with ceviche or raw Louisiana oysters.
Abita Grapefruit Harvest IPA has an alcohol content of 6% by volume and 40 IBUs. It runs $8.99 a six-pack here in the Atlanta area.
Abita Grapefruit Harvest IPA pours to a hazy orange color with a moderate foamy head and an appetizing nose of juicy pink grapefruit. Taking a sip, the beer is crisp up front, biscuit even with a suggestion of caramel before the grapefruit quickly emerges. I like it. Not the grapefruit hop suggestions you usually get in IPA, but I like the juicy red grapefruit flavor. More of a fruit beer than an IPA, really. But refreshing enough and has some hop bitterness and aroma in the finish. Abita says they use Cascades but I’m not getting a lot of Cascade aroma, more bitterness at the last suggestive of an early hop addition. Still, very refreshing and quenching brew.
I really love the flavor of the red grapefruit here, so sue me if I give this one 4 stars. This is a beer I could get used to drinking again and again, and the bitterness really balances it out nicely. Not a sweet beer really at all to my taste, just a refreshing one with lots of fruit and big on enjoyment scale.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft