Courtyard Brewery
| Industry | Brewing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1723 (first brewery in New Orleans) |
| Headquarters | New Orleans , United States |
Area served | Louisiana, United States |
| Products | Beer |
Louisiana breweries manufacture a wide array of beer varieties distributed at local, regional, and national levels. These establishments vary from tiny nanobreweries and microbreweries to expansive multinational macrobreweries.
In 2014, Louisiana's brewing sector comprised 37 breweries and brewpubs, alongside 66 distributors and numerous retail outlets, collectively providing direct employment to over 15,000 individuals, with an additional workforce of around 10,000 in related fields. The combined business and personal tax income generated by these breweries and their suppliers surpassed $380 million, while consumer spending contributed more than $150 million in extra tax revenue. That year, Louisiana was ranked 36th in the nation for craft breweries per capita with a total of 15.[1]
By the conclusion of 2013, the United States hosted 2,822 breweries, which included 2,768 craft breweries made up of 1,237 brewpubs, 1,412 microbreweries, and 119 regional craft breweries. The industry employed roughly 43,000 people in brewing and distribution roles and produced an overall economic impact exceeding $246 billion.[2]
History
During the 19th century and early 20th century, New Orleans served as the center of Louisiana’s brewing industry. The city’s inaugural brewery was La Brassiere, founded by Pierre Dreux in January 1723. In 1852, Louis and Samuel Fasnacht launched Fasnacht Brewery, which was later acquired by Erath and Company Brewery in 1869. The New Orleans Brewing Association was established in 1890 through the consolidation of six breweries at the Louisiana Brewing Co. facility (originally built in 1885), producing labels such as 4-X Beer and Double Eagle Ale.[3]
Prominent breweries during this era included Jackson Brewing Co. (established 1890), American Brewing Co. (1891), Columbia Brewing Co. (1899), Dixie Brewing Co. (1907), National Brewing Co. (1911), Union Brewing Corp. (1911), and Falstaff Brewing Corp. (1936).[3]
The contemporary craft brewing movement in Louisiana began with the creation of Abita Brewing Co. in 1986. Since then, craft breweries have proliferated throughout the state in alignment with nationwide trends.[3]
Breweries
Low Road Brewing Microbrewery "Hammond" "2017" "Taproom" "Miel Brewery and Taproom" "Microbrewery" "New Orleans" "2018" "Taproom" "Mudbug Brewery" "Microbrewery" "Thibodaux, Louisiana" "2014" "Taproom" "New Orleans Lager and Ale Brewing Company (NOLA)" "Microbrewery" "New Orleans" "2009" "Taproom" "Oak St Brewery" "Microbrewery" "New Orleans" "2021" "Taproom" "Old Rail Brewing Company" "Brewpub" "Mandeville" "2013" "Taproom" Ouachita Brewing Company Microbrewery West Monroe, Louisiana 2015 Taproom "Parish Brewing Company" "Microbrewery" "Broussard, Louisiana" "2010" "Taproom" Parleaux Beer Lab Microbrewery New Orleans 2017 Taproom Port Orleans Brewing Company Microbrewery New Orleans 2017 Taproom "[Red River Brewing Company (Louisiana)|Red River Brewing Company]" Microbrewery/Brewpub Shreveport 2013 Taproom Royal Brewery (New Orleans) Microbrewery New Orleans 2017 Taproom Second Line Brewing Microbrewery New Orleans 2015 Taproom "[Tin Roof Brewing Company]" Microbrewery Baton Rouge 2010 Taproom Urban South Brewery Regional New Orleans 2016 Taproom "[Zony Mash Beer Project]" Microbrewery New Orleans 2019 Taproom| Brewery | Type | Location | Founded | On-site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abita Brewing Company | Regional | Covington | 1986 | Taproom |
| All Relation Beer | Microbrewery | New Orleans | 2019 | Taproom |
| Bayou Teche Brewing | Microbrewery | Arnaudville | 2010 | Taproom |
| Brieux Carré Brewing | Microbrewery | New Orleans | 2017 | Taproom |
| Broken Wheel Brewery | Microbrewery/Brewpub | Marksville | 2015 | Taproom |
| Chafunkta Brewing Company | Microbrewery | Mandeville | 2013 | Taproom |
| Courtyard Brewery | Microbrewery | New Orleans | 2014 | Taproom |
| Crescent City Brewhouse | Brewpub | New Orleans | 1991 | Taproom |
| Crying Eagle Brewing Company | Microbrewery/Brewpub | Lake Charles | 2016 | Taproom |
| Faubourg Brewing Company | Regional | New Orleans | 1907 | Taproom |
| Flying Heart Brewing & Pub | Microbrewery | Bossier City | 2015 | Taproom |
| Flying Tiger Brewery | Microbrewery | Monroe | 2016 | Taproom |
| Gnarly Barley Brewing Company | Microbrewery | Hammond | 2014 | Taproom |
| Gordon Biersch Brewing Company | Brewpub (National chain) | New Orleans | 2004 | Taproom |
Closed breweries
Southern Craft Brewing Company Wayward Owl Brewing Microbrewery New Orleans 2016 2018| Brewery | Category | Location | Established | Closed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Arpent Brewing Company | Microbrewery | Arabi | 2014 | 2017 | |
| American Brewing Company (New Orleans) | Regional | New Orleans | 1891 | 1962 | Launched in 1891 as American Brewing Company; renamed American Beverage Company in 1933, then reverted to original name in 1934. Produced Regal Beer. |
| Cajun Brewing | Microbrewery | Lafayette | 2015 | 2018 | |
| Cane River Brewing | Microbrewery | Natchitoches | 2018 | 2022 | Taproom and operations purchased by Flying Heart, based in Bossier City. |
| Chappapeela Farms Brewery | Microbrewery/Brewpub | Amite City | 2015 | 2015 | |
| CottonPort Brewing | Microbrewery | Sterlington | 2016 | 2016 | |
| Covington Brewhouse | Microbrewery | Covington | 2005 | 2018 | Founded as Heiner Brau Brewery in 2005; renamed Covington Brewhouse in 2012. |
| Falstaff Brewing Corporation | National | New Orleans | 1911 | 1979 | Initially National Brewing Company from 1911; underwent various name changes before Falstaff acquired it in 1936. The former brewery was converted into apartments in 2008. |
| Jackson Brewing Company | Regional | New Orleans | 1890 | 1974 | Originally known as Jackson Bohemian Brewery; famous for Jax Beer. The brewery building currently contains residential and commercial units. |
| La Brasserie Brewery | New Orleans | 1723 | Unknown | Recognized as Louisiana's earliest brewery. | |
| Louisiana Purchase Brewing Company | Microbrewery | Ponchatoula | 2017 | 2019 | |
|
Baton Rouge 2016 2021 |
See also
- Beer in the United States
- List of microbreweries
- List of cideries in the United States
- List of defunct breweries in the United States