Abita's big beers in big bottles.

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Abita Brewing Co. reports it has launched its big beers in big bottles. "The new bottles are bigger than the bottles for our other Abita brews, a full 22 ounces," said David Blossman, the Abita Brewing Company's president.

"These big 22-ounce bottles are the perfect size to serve with a meal or share with a friend," continued Blossman.

The beer inside is big too; both Andygator and new Abbey Ale have an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 8%.

Abita calls its Andygator "a creature of the swamp," and reports it is a high-gravity brew made with pale malt, German lager yeast and German Perle hops. Unlike other high-gravity brews, Andygator is "fermented to a dry finish with a slightly sweet flavor and subtle fruit aroma." Reaching alcohol strength of 8% by volume, it is a Helles Dopplebock. Andygator has been served on draft before, but never bottled. Abita's other big beer is Abbey Ale, a new Abita brew in the tradition of monastic strong ales. In tribute to this history, Abita makes a 25-cent donation to St. Joseph's Abbey in Covington, Louisiana for every bottle sold. The brewer reports that Abbey Ale is "dark amber in color, with an aroma of caramel, fruits and cloves ... It is a Dubble or double ale with an 8% ABV ... a malty brew, top-fermented and bottle-aged to rapturous perfection."

The brewer said its new 22-ounce bottles offer an oversized canvas for creative packaging design. Both new brews feature a "hand-painted" look designed by Innovative Advertising and applied to the bottle by Vitro Packaging's Applied Ceramic Labeling System. Innovative and Vitro are headquartered in Covington, Louisiana.