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Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager might sound like something dreamed up by lab scientists or Willy Wonka, but the blend of berries and brew stormed stores and bars in April to the delight of beer aficionados and ale amateurs.

In years past, the fruity blend was relegated to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival and a few kegs for breweries and other festivals, but this year the beer was given a seasonal mass production in April. With much adoration and steady sales, rumors swelled it was going to be added to the regular line-up.

While Abita reps say this seemed to be the hot gossip, the beer is in hibernation.

Abita spokesperson Beth Harris says the beer’s creation is tied to the seasonality of the $8,000 worth of Ponchatoula strawberries it’s made with. While Abita could make the beer year-round using non-local berries, it would not be the same. “Just like you wish the wonderful Ponchatoula strawberries were year round, this is the same way,” Harris says.