As the situation begins to stabilize in the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina, the brewing industry has begun to inquire about the health and safety of our industry brethren in the region.
ProBrewer has received many emails from site users asking about the whereabouts of various brewery staff and conditions of the breweries in the region.
The Brewer’s Association in Boulder Colorado also has received many inquiries and has begun posting updates on the association’s online Forum. Below are the current updates that the BA has received.
There are eighteen craft brewers in the region.
We will continue to add updates below as we receive them.
If you know of the whereabouts of any industry members from the region or the condition of any of the breweries, please contact me directly (tom.mccormick@probrewer.com) and I will forward to the BA.
Thanks to Pete Johnson and the rest of the BA for sharing this important information with us.
ALABAMA
Cannon Brewpub / Mr. Jims
Mobile
Power restored Sept. 1; bar open Sept. 1, no food until Health Dept inspects. Roof heavily damaged and AC system destroyed.
Montgomery Brewing Co
Montgomery
No damage; open for business.
Olde Auburn Ale House Brewery Restaurant
Auburn, AL
No damage; open for business
Olde Towne Brewing Co
Brewery Micro
Huntsville
Small amount of wind and structural damage. Open and brewing.
MISSISSIPPI
Coast Brewing / Beau Rivage Resort
Biloxi
(Updated 9/11) Water reportedly reached second floor – brewery is presumed destroyed. Condition of brewing equipment is unknown. Brewmaster Brian Bush checked in on 9/10 and is safe. See update from Brian in posting below.
Hal and Mals Restaurant and Brewery
Jackson
Only minor damage.
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co,
Kiln
Evacuated safely. Brewery intact.
UPDATED INFO ON 9/14 See post below
LOUISIANA
Abita Brewing Co
Abita Springs
Reported damaged and without power, but still standing – staffers are safe. 6,000 barrels of beer are spoiling and will be lost.
UPDATED 9/14 – Brewery is up and running! See detailed post below.
Big Easy Brewing Co We are not currently brewing. But, we hope to resume normal operations in
Marrerro
UPDATED 10/2: From Frank W. Ballero, President of Big Easy Brewing: “Equipment and building was not damaged during
hurricanes Katrina or Rita. However, we lost our entire inventory of BIG
EASY and TIGER TOWN Beers due to the loss of power for several weeks.
the near future. Meanwhile, we are looking for contract brewing companies
and distributors nation-wide to brew and distribute BIG EASY and TIGER TOWN beers.
Brewhouse Grill New Orleans
New Orleans
Still no contact
Cheetah Brewing LLC
Lake Charles
Still no contact
Crescent City Brewhouse
Brewery Brewpub
New Orleans
Owner Wolf Koehler checked in over the weekend. He is presently in Florida and reports that he and all employees are safe. He is eager to return to New Orleans and begin the rebuilding process.
UPDATED 9/13 See post below
Dixie Brewing Co Inc.
New Orleans
UPDATED 10/1 Sustained major water damage. See post below.
Gordon Biersch Brewery
New Orleans
From Head Brewer Gary Fritze: as of Thursday morning 9/1, brewery and restaurant are still dry, some broken windows, but no looting yet. All personnel evacuated safely.
Heiner Brau
Covington
UPDATED 9/12: See update below
Mardi Gras Meadery
Harvey
Still no contact
Rikenjaks Brewery
Lake Charles
Still no contact
Zea Rotisserie and Brewery
Metairie
UPDATED 10/2 Has reopened for buisness