Abita Brewing Company
 Abita Brewing Company Brewery | |
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Covington, Louisiana United States |
| Products | Beer |
Production output | 175,000 barrels |
| Owner | Abita Brewing, LLC. David Blossman, President Mark Wilson, Brewmaster Chad Davis, Brewing Supervisor |
The Abita Brewing Company is a brewery situated in Covington, Louisiana, approximately 43 miles north of New Orleans. Established in 1986 by Jim Patton and Rush Cumming in downtown Abita Springs, Louisiana, the original facility currently functions as the Abita Brew Pub.
Brewery
Abita utilizes artesian well water in its brewing process. In 2005, its Turbodog Ale earned the title of best beer in America from Stuff Magazine. Additionally, Abita Bock was recognized among Fox News' Top 10 Spring Beers in 2012.
Production
Beginning with an initial output of 1,500 barrels in 1986, by 2011 Abita had increased production to over 130,000 barrels of beer along with 5,000 barrels of root beer. The brewery enhanced its capacity in 2013 by installing a new 200-barrel system, which boosted bottling speed from 150 to 400 bottles per minute.
The company's lineup features seventeen year-round flagship beers including Andy Gator, Strawgator, Abita Amber, Alphagator Golden Light, Turbodog, Purple Haze, Jockamo I.P.A., and Restoration Pale Ale. It also offers five seasonal varieties, three Harvest brews, four Big Beers selections, a draft-only Select series, and root beer—all crafted within a state-of-the-art brewing facility.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Among its non-alcoholic offerings is Abita root beer, distinguished by the use of Louisiana-grown sugarcane instead of high-fructose corn syrup, setting it apart in the marketplace.
Distribution
Abita's core beers are available throughout 46 states in the US as well as Puerto Rico. In terms of volume sold in 2010, it was ranked the 15th largest craft brewery and the 24th largest overall brewery in the United States.
In February 2012, the company broadened its packaging options by launching canned versions of three flagship beers: Amber, Purple Haze, and Jockamo I.P.A.
Abita Brew Pub
The independently operated Abita Brew Pub is located at the original brewery site in Abita Springs. It serves a variety of Abita beers including exclusive brews created through collaboration with the main brewery.