Tuesday 16th of September 2014 08:30:36 PM

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I didn't taste anything here, as I'd just stopped at their brew pub down the street and only went over because the brew pub didn't have any pint glasses for sale. The brewery itself has a decent gift shop area where they sell their merch, so it fit the bill.

Aside from that, there's a large parking lot across the street that's more than sufficient. The main room has a long, large bar, presumably where the post-tour tasting goes on. I can't speak for the tour, since I didn't take it. Based on the beers I had at the brew pub, this place is certainly worth a visit.

Sunday 11th of December 2011 10:32:21 PM

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I love this brewery! Abita Brewing Company was founded in 1986 and has been a steady favorite of brave southern beer drinkers. There is a special place in my heart for this brewery ""nestled in the piney woods 30 miles north of New Orleans."" While living on the Gulf Coast, I started beer hunting in 2001, and this was the first brewery tour I ever experienced. Despite the sweltering heat, strolling through their brewhouse and learning about zymurgy was a thrilling experience. Of course, the brewery tour is now much enhanced, with a marvelous new hospitality room. I last visited the brewery in 2013, and I am consistently impressed with their growth. Abita Springs water is renowned for its purity, and I'm sure this contributes to the quality of their beer. I am always thrilled to discover new creations from Abita. Their line-up includes Amber, hearty Bock, sweet AndyGator Doppelbock (8%), crisp Golden, hoppy Jockamo IPA, malty Red Ale, Fall Fest, Christmas Ale, and dark Turbodog. Abita also excels at crafting flavored beers such as Strawberry Lager, Satsuma Harvest, Pecan Harvest, and their famous raspberry Purple Haze.

The brewery has a huge new warehouse with a very nice visitor center. Park in their free gravel lot, and outside you'll see an enclosed bier-garden with black patio furniture. The architecture is New Orleans style, and the visitors center is ornate and cozy, with couches, tables, a bar, and a small gift shop. You will be invited to join the free tour, and given a plastic sampling cup. You are encouraged to walk behind their 10-chair wooden bar and pour your own samples from a wall of a dozen taps. The decor is classic with tile floors and ceilings, brick walls and nice woodwork. On the wall are a few televisions used to kick off the brewery tour with a 10 minute video. You'll enter the brewery floor amidst rows of twenty large 300 bbl stainless steel fermenters. This is an impressive sight, and is the 24th largest microbrewery in the US. The tour continues back to the brewhouse where you'll see the stainless steel brewing vessels. The tour is rather quick, but all the better to return to the tasting room. The service is very friendly, and the place has an open, inviting atmosphere. They do not serve food at the brewery, but their brewpub restaurant just up the road has excellent food. Abita is a must-visit brewery if you're in the New Orleans area!

Wednesday 8th of September 2010 03:23:49 AM

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Abita's tasting room was very impressive looking. The bar was made of highly polished heavy wood. The stools at the bar were niced padded and upolstered in leather. The brass footrail was also a nice touch. There were also tall bar tables and chairs throughout the bar area. Additional seating on the patio.
Behind the bar was done up in stainless steel, marble and mirrors. Overall it felt like a well appointed private club. Classic rock on the sound system.
There were two HD TVs that were used for the video portion of the tour.

It was alright there. I enjoyed myself for the most part but the free beer did tend to bring in quite a number of non-beer folks. This was fairly obvious by their rapid pour, taste and dumping beer down the sinks.

This really is a class setup. There is also a 'gift shop' next to the bar area. All the Abita swag you could possibly want. Keep in mind they only take debit or credit here and do not sell any beer. Its all free!

Wednesday 26th of March 2008 08:38:51 AM

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In the last ten years they've built this swank and spacious "visitor center" which is open everyday from 10am to 2pm. Tours are on Wednesdays through Fridays at 2 pm. They do three tours on Saturday, 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm, but don't knock yourself out to get there for a tour. Tours consist of a verbal description of the brewing process and a quick in and out walk through their new brewing cathedral containing a dozen or more 300 barrel tanks and a behemoth automated brewing system that appears to have reduced the role of the brewer to that of a computer programmer. Not much to see unless you like to look at massive stainless steel tanks.

I sampled some of their beers. My favorite (by far) was the Andygator which used to be a barley wine, but has morphed into something different under the new regime. I'm guessing they have changed the recipe to make it an "imperial" pilsner. It's light colored, decently dry, and a touch hoppy (think subtle). It comes across like a restrained Belgian strong golden.

Their new flagship beer is the Restoration Pale Ale brewed to aid reconstruction after Katrina. They donate a dollar per six pack to a rebuilding fund. I confess that I don't care for this beer in the bottle, but at the brewery it was just okay on tap.

They have a new IPA, Jockamo IPA, which is descent on draft. It's probably not hoppy enough for the west coasters.

Don't skip the Abita Brewpub, it's just back up the road (in fact you probably passed it trying to find the brewery).