The 11 Best Breweries in New Orleans

Kaylee Giacomini

Abita started it all - at least that’s what I’ve been told about the ever growing brewery scene in Southeastern Louisiana. The iconic brewery that can now be found in liquor stores all over the United States got its start in the marshy landscape approximately 30 miles north of New Orleans. Today, there are nearly 20 breweries in the city, with more popping up each year in old warehouses down on Tchoupitoulas and in Mid City. The brewery scene was not something that registered with me when I first moved here, but with my love of beer (especially a hazy IPA) in hand, I’m on a mission to try them all.

Tags: Beer, Breweries

  • Abita Brewing Company in Covington, United States

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    • kaylee

      It’s impossible to talk about brewery culture in New Orleans without first paying homage to the most iconic brewery in Southern Louisiana - Abita. Abita isn’t actually based in New Orleans, but it’s so iconic here it may as well be. My dad drinks Abita Amber, I prefer an IPA like their Jockamo Juicy, and my roommates are always sure to have a case (or two) of Purple Haze on hand. Abita is well worth the short trip to Covington, LA, but you can also buy it in stores across the city.

  • Zony Mash Beer Project in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Zony Mash is one of those places that’s off the beaten track and lesser known in the city unless you have a true admiration for beer. I first visited it on a rainy Friday in June and walked into the building to discover that the entire brewery was actually a converted movie theater. Tables, a bar, and kegs of beer replaced the usual cinematic interior but sure enough, the film Stand By Me played silently on a projected screen near the back. The vibes were outstanding, and the beer was even more memorable.

  • Brieux Carré Brewing Co. in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Brieux Carre prides itself with being “as weird and as interesting as the city we live in.” I couldn’t describe their array of brews - or the brewery itself for that matter - any better. I recommend trying more than one when you visit (of course). I’ve found the more eclectic the name, the better the beer. Naturally, some of my favorites include the brown lager “You Ain’t Gotta Call Me Boo, Just as Bad as You Wanna Dunk, I Wanna Dunk Too,” the hazy IPA “90’s Women’s Power Ballads,” and the classic “What’s Cooler than Being Cool? Rice Cold!”

  • Faubourg Brewing Co. in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Faubourg lies on the banks of a winding canal with expansive outdoor seating overlooking the water. Visit in the spring or fall to avoid too many mosquitoes but still enjoy the sun. Fun fact: Faubourg has been operating on and off since 1907 - easily making it the oldest brewery in the city limits.

  • Miel Brewery & Taproom in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Miel is one of the many breweries lining Tchoupitoulas street in the Irish Channel. They have a rotating tap of 15 beers and hard seltzers, but be on the lookout for Flor De Jamaica - a Gose brewed with hibiscus flowers or the Surrealista - a rich IPA brewed with local honey.

  • New Orleans Lager & Ale (NOLA) Brewing in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      NOLA Blonde is a mainstay across the city and can be found on tap in hundreds of bars around here; it has been since the brewery’s conception in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They’re credited with bringing craft brewing back to New Orleans. Although the city was once the “brewing capital of the South,” Katrina leveled many of the historic breweries. NOLA Brewing Company specializes in a classic selection of traditional lagers and blonde ales, but IPAs like their Hopitoulas are also excellent.

  • Urban South Brewery in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Urban South has two locations - Houston TX and New Orleans. Their NOLA location can be found on the riverbanks of Tchoupitoulas street and is possibly my favorite brewery in the city. Their taproom features a rotating selection, but something that I always have in my fridge is their Holy Roller IPA. In fact, whenever I leave the city I make a point of taking a 6 pack of their Holy Roller and a bag of Zapps chips back home for my family up North.

  • Port Orleans Brewing Co. in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Port Orleans is another mainstay brewery down on Tchoupitoulas. They have iconic beers, but something that sets them apart is their food selection. Most NOLA breweries have basic bar snacks or bring in a rotation of food trucks, but Port Orleans has a great menu to accompany their selection of brews. Try the cajun poutine or catfish tacos, and pair them with a flagship beer of theirs like the hazy juicy Vice Versa or their Riverfront Lager.

  • Second Line Brewing in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Second Line is a women, minority, and veteran owned business that has brewed in New Orleans for almost 10 years. They have a rotation of food trucks, but be particularly on the lookout for their crawfish and lobster roll events. As for beer, I recommend the Vacation Juice Hazy IPA or the Saison Named Desire.

  • Parleaux Beer Lab in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Parleaux has a rotating tap of small batch seasonal beers, and I have never found the same beer there twice. Like many local breweries, their expansive courtyard often features a rotation of food trucks and events open to the public.

  • Wrong Iron On The Greenway in New Orleans, United States

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    • kaylee

      Wrong Iron isn’t a brewery, but they have an expansive beer garden with over 60 beers on tap. If you’re looking to dive into NOLA beer culture this honorable mention is a great place to start. Bonus: you can typically find local beer from each of the aforementioned breweries on their menu.