New Orleans Creole Cafe proudly imports and serves Abita Beers. The  question of the hour - What makes these beers so special?

They claim it to be the ingredients. There are only 4, with the natural waters of Abita Springs, Louisiana being the most important. It comes straight from the source -  "a deep artesian well in the Southern Hills aquifer system. Over 3,000 feet deep in some areas, it contains fresh water kept pristine in underground structures that are more than five million years old." The brewery proudly says that they do not filter or chemically treat their water like most other breweries as it is not necessary. Since before 1887, when the area became popular, the Choctaw and many others have claimed the water has a healing quality.

Not only is the water special, but the origin of the springs themselves are magical. Legend has it that druing the Civil War, a Yankee Captain and an indian maiden fell in love. As he left for battle, he told her to wait for him and he would return for her after the war. The years passed. Ever faithful, the maiden waited for her love to return. They say that on the day she died, the springs began to flow out of nowhere.

As early as the 1880s, upon hearing of the marvelous water, people began visiting the area. The community of Abita Springs slowly grew around the magical springs and was formally organized in 1903 and chartered in 1912. As with everything else in Abita Springs, the name Abita centers around the water as abita means "healing waters".  "This small south Louisiana town is a twentieth century anachronism. Located in the heart of the piney woods north of Lake Ponchatrain near New Orleans, the town boasts one traffic light, four churches and two schools. It is the kind of town that hardly exists anymore."

Along with the prized water, the other 3 ingredients are malted barley from Britian, Germany and North America; yeast strains from Germany and America; and Pacific Northwest hops.  These carefully chosen ingredients, along with the water, are put through a special process to create their various well known ales and lagers.

In 1986, Abita Brewing Company opened its doors and produced 1,500 barrels of beer. By 1994, their ales and lagers were such a hit that they required a bigger facility! Today, they brew 90,000 barrels of beer and have added 5,ooo barrels of rootbeer.

To learn more about the Abita Brewery and their beers, click on their logo below to visit their website.