Abita – Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer – A First Sampling

A big thank you to Abita Brewing for send me an early sample of their new Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer.  This alcoholic version of their regular root beer will be the first release in a series of Bayou Bootlegger hard sodas.

Bayou Bootlegger uses pure Louisiana cane sugar, vanilla, yucca and herbs and since they are already producing 14,000 barrels a year of their regular root beer, I think Abita has a tremendous advantage as far as recipe development was concerned. 

I’m a little outside my wheelhouse when sampling hard root beer, but this is the first I’ve sampled that reminds me of the old school root beers of my childhood.  The taste is sweet with lots of vanilla and wintergreen, and the finish is balanced nicely with a spicy dry clove flavor.  There are lots of subtle licorice-like flavors and a pleasant vanilla aroma.

Abita Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer comes in at 5.9%-AbV and it will be hitting shelves in 12oz bottled six-packs in early 2016.  Inspired by the original bayou bootlegger, Jean Lafitte, the packaging and bottles look great and we should also mention that this hard root beer is gluten-free.

Be sure to try Abita Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer for yourself, and as always, be sure to let me know what YOU think.