Big Easy Breweries
NOLA's beer scene is poppin'! When I moved here over four years ago there were just Crescent City Brewhouse and NOLA brewing, but now New Orleans has becoming a powerhouse for breweries.
NOLA Brewing: the most "name brand" New Orleans beer that you can find in the city, partially because they've been here for so long. The new-ish two-level taproom is quite fun with a large second floor deck, McClure's BBQ onsite, board games, and other various activities. Their rotating in-taproom-only beers are much better than their commercialized beers you frequently find on tap or in can around the city.
Fav beer: Hopback Cadillac, specialty IIPA
Courtyard Brewery: juice juice juice! I would argue (and win) that Courtyard has the best beers in the city. They specialize in IPAs, IIPAs, IIIPAs, and probably at some point IIIIIIIIIPAs. More 'rustic' than most breweries in the city, which personally I think adds to the charm. Lots of food trucks, fundraisers, and collaboration beers happen here, be sure to check it out in the Lower Garden District. [They are also in the process of opening a second location--wooo!] [PPS, the owner, Scott, is really active in trying to make Louisiana better via beer laws/non-asshole things, so it's always nice to support those type of people]
Fav beer: Lonesome Traveler IPA
Miel Brewery & Taproom: The newest brewery in the city! Miel opened in October 2018 and is already producing some delicious beers. They make all their beer with honey so they are slightly sweeter, but in a good way. They have a cute courtyard with ping-pong as well. 10 steps from NOLA Brewing for your brewery-crawl pleasure.
Fav beer: Hallaweizen
Urban South Brewery: Some people really like Urban South's beers. I am not some people. Their beers are fine. They are average. The sour is sour, the Oktoberfest tastes like Oktoberfest, they do new beer releases pretty regularly, but I am not overly impressed. The warehouse-turned-brewery is consistently just overflowing with children, and at some point in life that might be what I am looking for, but in the meantime it is way too much to handle.
Fav beer: Charming Wit
Second Line Brewing: Located in Mid-City, Second Line is community-focused and produces solid beers. They have weekly events like movie nights and trivia, frequent food trucks, and a fantastic patio. There's not too much indoor room here though so beware if the weather isn't ideal.
Fav beer: Route 47 Red IPA
Parleaux Beer Lab: one of my favorite breweries in the city, Parleaux is in the Bywater and had a fantastic outside area. They also keep a variety of food trucks coming in, have yoga on Sundays, and the owners are just simply really nice people. A fantastic addition to the beer scene.
Fav beer: Keys to the Castle
Brieux Carre: directly off Frenchmen Street, Brieux Carre definitely caters more to the party scene. Check them out before a night out and you'll love their quaint back patio and their smooth beers.
Fav beer: It’s Pronounced Gose
Port Orleans Brewing Company: Just a few blocks down from the popular NOLA Brewing, Port Orleans has hit the brewery scene strong. I've never seen any form of company advertise so thoroughly and do so much hype in their first months of operation. Their in-house restaurant has semi-boujie, semi-delicious food, their beer garden on the city is a great place to hang out, and their big screen is a great place to see the game while drinking a Gleason IPA.
Fav beer: Blueberry Thrill
Royal Brewery: Located in the East, Royal Brewery is a bit off the beaten path. Their homemade ginger ale is extremely good, though non-alcoholic. They are continually hosting concert-esque events in their large space near the lake.
Fav beer: Termite loger
Broad Street Cider and Ale: Technically a cidery, but also technically fantastic. This England-themed cidery has house ciders, guest ciders, and guest beers, all with an adorable private back patio. They also do some crazy stuff like 14% ciders, check it out.
Fav [cider]: Tottenham Court Road
Crescent City Brewhouse: one of those breweries that I barely consider a brewery because they're just located in the tourist area of town trying to make money and they do not care about beer. If you are dying of thirst/hunger in the French Quarter and one of the 7,000 restaurants and bars do not fill your need then you can go to Crescent City.
Fav beer: not applicable
--> Side note: 40 Arpent Brewery was a brewery in Arabi (just outside of NOLA) from 2014-2017 but closed due mainly to strict brewery laws and the state legislature hampering business. Wayward Owl Brewing Company was a brewery in Central City from 2016-2018, they are still producing beer but have closed their taproom.
