At 2pm on Thursday afternoon, Scott Wood watched his dream of opening a new brewery begin to come true. Although unable to start brewing on his system, by law, until this week, Wood and his wife and business partner Lindsay Hellwig opened their doors with twelve guest taps from West Coast breweries (Wood is from San Diego originally) like Stone, Green Flash, North Coast, Anchor, and Lagunitas, sours from New Belgium and Swiss brewer Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes (BFM), and regional favorites like Saint Arnold. The tap list's only local beer, Gnarly Barley's Korova Milk Porter, was the very first keg to blow. More Louisiana beer will be on this weekend - At Arm's Length IPL from Great Raft up in Shreveport.
Beer nerds, industry folks, and neighbors trickled in throughout the afternoon and by the time the sun went down, it was a party. Taceaux Loceaux was on the scene serving tacos and bowls of pork tinga to the beer-happy crowds.
No bar stools or tables inside the brewery, but outside, people found places to perch and chat over beers from a beautifully curated tap list. Wood says of the night, "Everything was rad. It was great to get people in there finally. I think people were excited and satisfied by the tap list and our glassware and service."
Tonight, the brewery opens late (at 6pm) due to a private event, but will open at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. Founders Breakfast Stout replaced the Gnarly Barley Korova Milk Porter, and the Great Raft At Arms Length should be going online tonight or tomorrow, Wood says. This weekend is cash only. Regular hours (after this weekend) will be Thursdays and Fridays, 4-9pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-9pm.
