"Abita Brewery" news and stories

Nearing the third month into the Gulf oil spill (count 'em, 85 days), we couldn't be more frustrated: If you're like us, you lie awake at night, wondering what will cap that damn thing; you may have even considered driving down to scrub a flock of oily pelicans, if only to get the images out of your head. And while this is likely not an option for most of you -- no matter how hard you beg your boss to fund a charity trip -- by the end of this month, all you'll have to do is drink.

In connection with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, New Orleans-beloved Abita beer has announced a special brew for relief and restoration efforts: SOS -- A Charitable Pilsner.

The golden-hued, 22-oz 7% ABV is an unfiltered Weizen Pils described as having a "sweet malt flavor with a pleasant bitterness and aroma." Now in its final leg of aging, it's slated to be shipped out by the end of July, available wherever Abita beer is sold -- including a to-be released list of participating restaurants.

The bottles will feature hand-drawn shrimp, boats, pelicans and other Gulf coast fishing icons arranged in "SOS," in this case meaning "Save Our Shores."

When life moves too fast, Slashfood Ate (8) beer edition is here to help us keep up on the latest beer news we might have missed. Let's see what the bullet points find noteworthy in the beer world this week:

• On Tuesday, the Abita Brewery exploded. Don't worry: Beer terrorism isn't to blame -- a tank accidentally became over-pressurized. More amazing: Though production was halted for the day, supposedly no beer was harmed in the incident. More proof that God loves beer!
• With the auto industry down the tubes, maybe beer can save the Michigan economy: Bell's Brewery is undergoing a $5.2 million expansion.
• The Baltimore Sun's Rob Kasper tried to get a discussion going on "the best beers of the NFL's Final Four." What do you guys think are the best beers in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Phoenix and Philadelphia?