Abita Brewing Purple Haze Raspberry Lager
Abita Purple Haze is a 4.2% ABV, 13 IBU raspberry lager from Abita Brewing in Abita Springs, Louisiana, sold here as six 12oz servings. Per Abita's official profile, it is brewed as a lager with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops, with real raspberries added after filtration, using artesian water from Abita Springs — the fruit gives it its subtle purple haze and a tartly sweet finish. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 4.2%
- IBU: 13
- Size: 6-pack of 12oz servings
- Style: Raspberry lager (German lager yeast)
- Malts/Hops: Pilsner and wheat malts; Vanguard hops
- Fruit: Real raspberries, added after filtration (producer)
- Origin: Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, Louisiana — founded 1986
Louisiana's Original Craft Brewery, with Raspberries
Abita Brewing began in 1986 in the small town of Abita Springs, north of Lake Pontchartrain, and describes itself as Louisiana's original craft brewery, brewing with water drawn from the town's artesian springs. Purple Haze is one of its signatures: a crisp lager first, a fruit beer second, with the raspberries arriving after filtration so the flavour stays fresh and the pour keeps that namesake purple tint — fruit pulp can even be visible in the glass, per the brewery. Browse more Louisiana and Southern brews on our craft beer shelf, or visit the Abita Brewing vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Fruity raspberry aroma, per Abita. Palate: Tartly sweet raspberry over a light, clean lager body. Finish: Crisp and refreshing, the purple haze lingering in the glass.
How to Enjoy
Abita's own pairing guidance points to salads, light fruit desserts and chocolate desserts, and ripened Brie or mascarpone — serve it cold, as a dessert-course beer or a fruit-citrus entree match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purple Haze a wheat beer? No. It contains wheat malt, but it is brewed and fermented as a lager with German lager yeast — Abita's official style is raspberry lager.
Does it use real raspberries? Yes — real raspberries are added after filtration, per Abita's official copy, which is what gives the beer its colour, haze and tart-sweet fruit character.
How strong is it? 4.2% ABV and 13 IBU — light, crisp and sessionable.
A Louisiana lager with a raspberry glow — order Abita Purple Haze online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.