Hooked on Flavor: The Best Louisiana Seafood and Abita Beer Pairings

Let’s be honest, nothing works up an appetite quite like a day on the water. You’re sunburned with calloused hands, but you’re grinning because you (hopefully) have a full chest ready to cook.

But here’s the thing: what’s in your glass matters just as much as what’s on your plate. And any sportsman worth his weight in lures knows that the right beer doesn’t just wash down your meal. It brings it to life.

That’s why we teamed up with our friends at Abita Brewing Company to find the perfect pairings for Louisiana’s most popular seafood dishes. So grab a cold glass and fire up the skillet. It’s time to talk about flavor.

Pairing with Ales

Ales are known for their bold personalities. Brewed warmer and faster than lagers, they tend to offer a fuller body and more complex flavor. From nutty to fruity to downright robust, here are a few Abita ale combinations that help enhance the natural brininess of seafood meals.

Seafood Gumbo & Abita Pecan Ale

If you’ve got a big Bayou Classic pot of gumbo bubbling, do yourself a favor and crack open an Abita Pecan Ale. It’s smooth, a little nutty and plays real nice with the smoky roux and seafood ingredients. If we didn’t know any better, it’s almost like they were made for each other.

Smoked Redfish on the Half Shell & Abita Turbodog

Looking for a duo that’ll put hair on your chest? Abita Turbodog’s rich body and caramel-chocolate depth contrasts the briny smokiness of redfish right off the grill. The result? A meal that’s complex and downright comforting.

Fried Catfish & The Boot from Abita

The Boot is an exclusive release from Abita that delivers a clean, crisp sip suited for a plate of golden fried catfish. With earthy flavors of white wheat, oats and barley, it complements the nutty oil taste of fried seafood. Add some hush puppies and hot sauce, and you’re looking at a quick dockside meal that tastes like afternoons on pawpaw’s back porch.

Barbeque Shrimp & Abita StrawGator 

This one’s for when you’re feeling fancy but still keeping it Cajun. StrawGator brings the strawberry sweetness of Abita Strawberry with the 8% ABV bite of Andygator. The result? A perfectly balanced helles doppelbock that can cut right through the buttery, peppered flavor of fresh BBQ shrimp. It’s a combo that’s a little sweet, a little strong and a whole lotta yum.

Pairing with Lagers

Meanwhile, lagers are found on the easygoing side of the beer family. They’re crisp, smooth and made for warmer Louisiana days. Their cooler, slower brewing process keeps the flavor clean and refreshing, which makes them perfect with lighter seafood and spicy dishes alike.

Seafood Gumbo & Abita Mardi Gras Bock

When the cold carnival season comes around, this combo will keep you mamboing straight to the seconds line. Abita Mardi Gras Bock’s got that toasty, caramel edge and full-body flavor, which pairs just right with the layers of savory seafood in a shrimp & crab gumbo. 

Trout Meunière & Abita Amber

Abita Amber’s been around forever for a reason. This Munich-style lager is balanced, malty and goes great with a variety of foods. As for our pairing pick, you can’t go wrong with a nice piece of trout cooked in brown butter and lemon (with a healthy dash of Slap Ya Mama, of course). It gives restaurant-quality flavor, but the kind you can enjoy right at the dock.

Gulf Shrimp Tacos & Abita Purple Haze

Fresh shrimp, a squeeze of lime, maybe some slaw and a Purple Haze on the side? Oh baby. This is one the zesty lovers will come back to. Purple Haze’s raspberry twist connects with the citrus lime to keep things bright and refreshing with every bite. It’s the kind of meal that’ll make you want summer to last forever (and down here, that’s saying something).

Surf and Turf Po’ Boy & Abita Andygator 

Now it’s time for a heavy hitter. Abita Andygator packs a punch with its high ABV content, pilsner malt and German Perle hops. But it’s not without a touch of sweetness. This bold flavor profile lets it stand toe-to-toe with a Po’ Boy stuffed to the gills with fried oysters and roast beef. Just don’t forget the napkins, eh?

Lump Crabmeat Salad & Abita Light

Sometimes you just want to keep things light. For those moments, Abita Light offers a low-calorie, easy-drinking experience that lines up nicely with a cool crabmeat salad after a long day in the sun. It’s a healthy choice that’s refreshingly simple, all while still feeling just a little indulgent.

Boiled Crawfish & Abita Strawberry Lager

If you’ve never had a cold Strawberry Lager with a pile of hot crawfish, you truly haven’t lived life deliciously (and this is your sign to add it to your spring menu ASAP). The sweetness of the Abita’s strawberry flavor balances out the savory crawfish taste and seasoning just enough to keep you going back for more. That’s Louisiana harmony right there.

Raw or Charbroiled Oysters & Abita Beeracuda

Whether you like your oysters raw, charbroiled or both, Abita Beeracuda’s your go-to brew for shuckin’ night. It’s a full-bodied, crisp cerveza but it doesn’t steal the spotlight. It just cools you off between slurps of pure Gulf goodness.

Share Your Perfect Pair

And there you have it—our 11 favorite seafood pairings with Abita beer. Somehow, everything tastes better when it’s fresh, local and paired with something brewed right here at home.

Now that you’ve seen our picks, let us know: did we hit the mark or is there a killer pairing we missed? Share your favorite beer and seafood combo on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag Louisiana Charter Boat Association and Abita Brewing Company for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post. 

Now go cook up something delicious tonight. You’ve earned it.