JOPLIN, Mo. — As I watched TV news last weekend, waves of workers cleaned up oil washing ashore in Louisiana.

I wondered what I could do to help. Should I text in a donation, write my congressional representative or shear off my beard and make a boom to soak up gallons of British Petroleum’s spill?

The gulf disaster seems so large; I wasn’t sure where to start and what to do. Then, as I casually scoured the shelves at a local beer retailer, I spotted a pile of Abita Beer boxes stacked on the floor.

It hit me like an oil slick rolling over pristine Louisiana wet lands. I can drink to show support for my brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast.

I should also encourage Joplin-area residents to support Louisiana ’s economy by drinking the state’s beers. After all, supporting the state’s economy in the face of this environmental tragedy seems like a good way to lend a hand --12 ounces at a time. Every little bit helps.

Founded in 1986, Abita Brewing Company sets in the piney woods 30 miles north of New Orleans. The brewery produced 1,500 barrels of beer in its first year of operation, according to its Web site, www.abita.com.

Now, a regional brewing powerhouse, Abita brews and distributes more than 90,000 barrels of beer annually. (A barrel of beer is 31 gallons. Most consumers are familiar with the half-barrel or common keg -- it’s 15.5 gallons and what you see at most frat parties and creekside events.)

Privately owned and operated by local shareholders, the brewer has become an institution in Louisiana. Abita Beer -- the site details -- uses only British and North American malted barley, German and American yeast strains, Pacific Northwest hops and the pure artesian water of Abita Springs. Abita contains no preservatives, additives or stabilizers. It’s good stuff.

Always a sampler pack fan, I snapped up a box. There’s my first $14 towards the Gulf Coast cause.

The Abita Party Pack included two each of their Amber, Turbodog, Purple Haze, Jockamo India Pale Ale, Restoration Pale and a pair of seasonal offerings. Often a sampler will only have three of four beers from which to choose. I felt like a got a bonus with six different beers to try.

Try this

First up was Purple Haze, a raspberry flavored wheat beer. Abita flavors their take on American wheat beer with raspberry puree after it’s filtered to give it a crisp, berry character and a slightly purple color or “haze.”

The berry flavor isn’t overpowering, as many artificially flavored fruit beers are. At only 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), it’s recommended for pairing with salads, cheeses or desserts.

Abita Wheat, the party pack’s seasonal offering, was next on my sample list. Available from May through September, the wheat (4.2 ABV) differs from many wheat beers you will find on the market. Abita’s wheat is a lager, not an ale.

“For a change of pace, try Abita Wheat with a twist of lemon,” Abita.com suggests. “Feta and goat cheeses pair well with Abita Wheat beer. Great with summertime fare such as pasta and salads, but don’t forget barbecue and anything right off the grill.”

I agree. The brew is light, smooth and easy to drink with no bitterness to fight the flavor of your grilled fare.

Abita’s Restoration Pale Ale was so good, I had two.

“The citrus flavor and aroma make it an excellent choice with most fish, especially ones that are prepared to match the flavor of the beer,” the site advised. “American, Muenster, Havarti and Monterey Jack cheeses pair well with Restoration.”

I bet they are correct. The pale was rich and has the character to stand up to stanky cheese or bold fish dishes. At 5.0 percent ABV Restoration packs a punch.

Looking for something a little more bitter? Some are. The Jockamo India Pale Ale has bitter down.

While drinkable, like most IPAs, bitter beers are an acquired taste. Pale ale fans will like it, but real IPA people might find it a little thin. Jockamo stacks up at 6.5 ABV and 52 International Bitterness Units (IBUs, and that’s a lot of bitter. More on IBUs another time).

Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery. The product information offered on the bottle says the Amber (4.5 percent ABV) is the company’s leading seller.

“Amber is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food and has been voted ‘best beer’ in numerous polls,” according to the Web site. “Try Abita Amber with Cajun favorites, fried catfish and spicy cuisine.”

Turbodog is Abita’s darkest offering from their standard line. Dark, malty and rich, Turbodog dark ale began as a specialty brew, but is now a flagship brand for the company. At 5.2 percent ABV Turbodog packs a punch and pairs well with the richest of dishes.

According to the company site, it’s a “good match with smoked fish and can even stand up to wild game dishes.”

Turbodog, they say, is great for marinating and braising meats and a great compliment to Southern favorites such as greens and cabbage.

Abita may be Louisiana’s largest beer producer, but a quick Internet search found around a dozen brewer’s who can use our help.

Cheers!