Yep, oysters

Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 1:30 PM     Updated: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 4:28 PM

Do you like a nice cold beer with your oysters? How about some lovely Gulf oysters in your beer? Abita beer’s latest “select brew” is made with Louisiana oysters, according to an Oct. 25 press release.

The brew was created by the winner of the Abita Brewing’s home brew competition in March. In that contest, the winning brewer has his/her recipe turned into an Abita Select offering.

The winning home brewer was Kerry Dale Yoes of Zachary, La. His creation: Imperial Louisiana Oyster Stout.

Yoes’ beer received the “Andy Award,” which was named in honor of Abita’s first home brew contest winner, Andy Thomas who created the base recipe for Abita Andygator.

“We want the world to know that seafood fresh from Louisiana is ready and waiting for them to enjoy in so many ways...including as an ingredient in craft beer,” said David Blossman, president of Abita Beer said in a press release.

The brewery is known for using Louisiana produce, such as strawberries, satsumas and pecans in its seasonal beers.

Abita’s Imperial Louisiana Oyster Stout is made with pale, caramel, roasted and chocolate malts as well as oats, according to the press release. The beer is hopped with Willamette hops. And, freshly shucked Louisiana oysters are added to the boil. The salt from the oysters gives the beer a more intense aroma and mouth feel, according to the press release.

Abita Select specialty brews are only served on tap and only at certain restaurants and bars.

The brewery notes that this new stout goes well with "grilled steaks and most red meats. However stouts are best served with sweet desserts, especially ones with chocolate in the recipe."