Bananas Foster

Judge’s Review

John C. Tull
Grand Master I. BJCP Judge

Rating 78 (Average)

Judges Rating: 78
Aroma: 16/24
Appearance: 6/6
Flavor: 33/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Overall Impression: 15/20

Bananas Foster by Abita Brewing Co. was judged as Specialty Fruit Beer (29C, BJCP 2021). The base beer is an Imperial Stout (20C). A strong aroma of vanilla and banana esters exudes from this beer. Strong alcohol esters and some modest fusel notes are also present, the latter, or a combination of all these aromas, lending a slight nail polish quality to the aroma. Hints of other fruit esters, most notably cherry, also come through in the nose.

The color is a very dark garnet, almost black, and quite bright despite the opacity from the dark tones. A ring of fine, tan bubbles lines the edge of the glass. The flavor is chocolaty, almost syrup-like, with banana and vanilla notes. Alcohol is evident as well, making it apparent that this is not a small beer. The sweetness of residual sugars, along with the very rich chocolate character make for a somewhat cloying finish. The flavors temper somewhat as the palate adjusts to the intensity of the beer. A strong bitter quality is also found in the finish, lingering for a while, which may be from dark grains, flavor additions, or both. The mouthfeel is full with some drying in the finish from the bitterness described above.

Overall, this beer has a very dessert-like quality to it and is probably best reserved for pairing with rich foods or desserts in a dinner or party setting. If you are a fan of bananas and chocolate, you will likely enjoy it more than others.

Brewer’s Description

Indulge in a rich & decadent experience with this brew. Inspired by the iconic New Orleans dessert, this stout marries the deep roasted notes of a classic stout with the sweet, caramelized flavors of bananas, brown sugar & a hint of vanilla.

Beer Style & Statistics

Brewery Information

Specialty Fruit Beer | Limited Release | Louisiana | USA