Abita Mardi Gras Bock 6Pk

Abita Mardi Gras Bock 6Pk is a seasonal Helles Bock beer from Abita Brewing Co. at 6.5% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Brewed with a combination of pale, pilsner, and caramel malts alongside German Perle hops, this limited-release bock earned an 82 rating from The Beer Connoisseur under the BJCP 2021 Helles Bock category (4C).

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Covington, Louisiana  |  Style: Helles Bock (Seasonal, January–March)  |  Brewery: Abita Brewing Co.  |  IBU: 25

Production & Heritage

Abita Brewing Co. operates out of Covington, Louisiana, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Mardi Gras Bock is the first seasonal release in the brewery's annual rotation, available from January through March to coincide with the Carnival season. The grain bill leans on pale, pilsner, and caramel malts — an Americanized interpretation of the German maibock tradition — hopped with German Perle hops to a restrained 25 IBU, keeping bitterness low and malt character front and center.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasty, caramelized malt leads the nose with an almost juicy sweetness underneath. Bread dough and a gentle biscuit quality round out the scent.

Taste: The entry is slightly sweet, with caramel and fresh bread flavors arriving immediately. At mid-palate, the pilsner malt provides a clean, light grain backbone, while the caramel malt adds depth and a touch of toffee. Hop bitterness remains understated, letting the malt do the heavy lifting throughout.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, lightly toasty close. A faint residual sweetness lingers without becoming cloying, keeping the beer drinkable at its 6.5% strength.

How to Drink Mardi Gras Bock

Pour into a tulip glass or dimpled mug at 45–50°F to let the malt aromatics open up fully. This bock is best enjoyed on its own or alongside food rather than in cocktails, but it works in several beer-based mixed drinks. A Bock Shandy — combining the beer with fresh lemonade — plays off the malt sweetness with bright citrus. A Beer-a-Rita using Mardi Gras Bock adds a richer, maltier body than a standard lager version. A Boilermaker paired with a shot of bourbon leans into the caramel and toasted grain notes both share.

Best For

• Mardi Gras and Carnival season celebrations
• Introducing lager drinkers to stronger German-style bock beers
• Pairing with hearty Louisiana cooking during winter months
• Sharing with friends who appreciate seasonal, limited-release craft beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mardi Gras Bock taste like? Mardi Gras Bock is a malt-forward beer with flavors of caramel, toasted bread, and light toffee, balanced by minimal hop bitterness at 25 IBU. It finishes smooth and slightly sweet without heaviness.

How does Mardi Gras Bock compare to Ayinger Maibock? Ayinger Maibock is a classic German example of the style with a more pilsner-malt-driven profile, while Mardi Gras Bock uses a higher proportion of pale malt, giving it a broader, more Americanized character. Both sit in the Helles Bock category, but Ayinger tends to score higher among style purists for its traditional grain balance.

Is Mardi Gras Bock good for beginners? Yes — its smooth malt sweetness and low bitterness make it an approachable entry point into stronger German-style lagers for anyone comfortable with standard craft beer.

Where is Mardi Gras Bock made? Mardi Gras Bock is brewed by Abita Brewing Co. in Covington, Louisiana, located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain across from New Orleans.

What foods pair well with Mardi Gras Bock? Roasted pork or smoked sausage complements the toasty malt backbone. Crawfish boil works naturally given the beer's Louisiana roots. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the bread-dough character. Gruyère or aged Gouda echo the caramel sweetness. Pecan pie reinforces the toffee and toasted grain notes in the finish.

What sizes does Mardi Gras Bock come in? Mardi Gras Bock is commonly available as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for Abita's seasonal releases.

Is Mardi Gras Bock worth the price? Mardi Gras Bock positions as a mid-range seasonal craft beer, priced in line with other six-packs from regional breweries. Its limited January-through-March availability and solid malt complexity represent fair value within the Helles Bock category.

Why Mardi Gras Bock?

Mardi Gras Bock stands as one of the few American-brewed Helles Bocks tied directly to a cultural season rather than simply a brewing calendar. The combination of pale, pilsner, and caramel malts with German Perle hops creates an interpretation that bridges Old World bock tradition with Gulf South identity. Its 82-point rating from The Beer Connoisseur and over 50,000 Untappd check-ins confirm a loyal following built over years of seasonal returns. For drinkers seeking a malt-rich, smooth lager that marks the start of Carnival season, this is one of the most recognizable options brewed south of the Mason-Dixon line.