Apart from companies like Abita, not many people can name a beer from Louisiana. But the state is actually full of them and in places you might not expect. Over 30 currently operate and we’ve been to three.
Before you point out how many breweries we haven’t mentioned, this is an evolving guide based on places we have visited. Come back to see where else in Louisiana we’ve been drinking!
Louisiana Breweries to Visit
Tin Roof, Baton Rouge
Every college town needs a brewery and Tin Roof Brewing Co is Tiger Country’s favorite. Their cans incorporate team colors and the names draw from Baton Rouge as inspiration.
After a stint in Colorado, two childhood friends opened the brewery in 2010. Tin Roof brews lagers, ambers, and easily drinkable beers year-round. They also release specialty selections seasonally like the Parade Ground Coffee Porter.
The taproom is open weekly for tours, trivia, and other events. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 10 pm, Saturday from 12 to 10 pm, and Sunday from 12 to 8 pm.
Beer to Try: Juke Joint IPA cools you down on gamedays with dry hopping and citrus notes, available year-round. Parade Ground is a favorite when available.
Great Raft, Shreveport
On the opposite end of the state, Great Raft Brewing in Shreveport is one of the state’s best. A homebrewer and his wife started the brewery and recruited a brewmaster to produce craft beer for northern Louisiana.
Among their lineup are pilsners, pale ales, and funkier Belgian options. Great Raft’s taproom is open Wednesday to Friday from 4 to 9 pm and Saturday from 12 to 9 pm. Food trucks are always there for food purchases and three tours take place on Saturdays.
Beer to Try: Reasonally Corrupt schwarzbier is a black lager that is malty and slightly sweet.
Crying Eagle, Lake Charles
Lake Charles has Crying Eagle Brewing Company, a 15,000 square foot facility with indoor and outdoor spaces, a beer garden, and event space.
Another homebrew project gone big, their taproom sells their beers and fills growlers. The name comes from a Native American battle cry.
The lineup includes golden ales, ambers, ryes, and porters year-round. You can also get special brews in their taproom like the Berliner Weisse. They’ve even teamed up with the band Foreigner to produce a beer for them.
The taproom is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 2 to 9 pm. You can purchase beer to go as well as their swag.
Beer to Try: Ready to Mingle Belgian Single is inspired by the Trappist monks that originally brewed the style.
Abita Brewery, Covington
Located in Covington, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the Abita Brewery is an easy day trip from New Orleans.
The original Louisiana craft brewery is named for nearby Abita Springs where they started. The original brewpub still exists on the Tammany Trace but they’ve since expanded to a larger facility.
They have a constantly rotating selection of beers but their popular stable of brews include Purple Haze, Turbodog, Amber, and Andygator. They also make root beer.
The large taproom offers both guided and self-guided tours as well as tastings in their taproom. They host special events like live music and crawfish boils. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm and Friday and Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm.
Beer to Try: The Boot is only available in Louisiana and is a kolsch style beer.
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Thanks for sharing! My husband insists on visiting a brewery or two on our upcoming trip to Louisiana, and this is probably going to make him pretty excited.