To say Port Orleans Brewery has accomplished a lot in less than a year would be an understatement. Thanks to the backing of an ownership group that includes former NFLer Zach Strief, the New Orleans-based brewery has already produced more than 30 beers since opening May 12th, 2017.

Port Orleans is at the heart of an up and coming craft beer scene in the city. Its origins go back to the former New Orleans Saints’ offensive tackle, who began as a home brewer even while focusing on his pro career.

When Strief decided to open the brewery, his coach Sean Payton, asked for a beer. So earlier this year Port Orleans came out with Sean Payton’s Blonde Ale. “When Sean heard that Zach was opening a brewery he said ‘well you better make a beer for me,’” explained Chase Guillory, Port Orleans Director of Marketing and Communications. “He wanted an easy-drinking beer that he could enjoy on a beach.”

While technically a cream ale, the easy-drinking brew was a huge success with craft and non-craft beer drinkers alike and especially Saints fan. The brewery produced approximately 1,800 gallons in its 60-barrel system. Within three weeks it was sold out. “The reception was good, all of the Saints fans came out of the woodworks, along with beer collectors, to buy it. Because it was so easy drinking, it got the typical non-craft beer drinkers to drink craft beer, which was good.” added Guillory.

While the one-off Sean Payton Blonde Ale gained the brewery some publicity it is just the start of what it has to offer. Visiting the taproom, Port Orleans has 15 options on tap but bases itself around three signatures: Riverfront Lager, Slack Water Brown Ale and Storyville IPA.

At the heart of these creations is Brian Allen, an experienced Brewmaster who has brewed in Massachusetts, Missouri and Wisconsin. Allen bases his style around session beers. “I really aim for three-pint beers that are clean and balanced. Even the beers that are more hopped forward I like to keep balanced and flavourful with a clean finish,” said Allen.

While he enjoys experimenting with multiple styles, as Port Orleans’ menu will show, he does enjoy producing many different lagers and pale ales. “I really got into making lagers in Wisconsin and now this brewery is set up to make a lot of lager beer,” said Allen. “I am still relatively new to New Orleans, so I am figuring out what people here like and expect. There are not a heck of a lot of lagers here so we have a bit of a niche. I don’t really think about how this beer will be different from one down the street, but rather about what’s in our own flavour profile.”

Port Orleans has the capability to do many different size batches. In addition to the 60-barrel system, they also have a 30-barrel and a 15-barrel system. The brewery has one of the only horizontal lagering tank systems in the state of Louisiana, designed to speed up the fermentation process.

Currently, Port Orleans beers can only be found in the greater New Orleans area and at the brewery itself. However, the brewery is currently working on an expansion that will see them increase their reach in the state and get into neighbouring Mississippi.

In addition to the expansion, Port Orleans is working on attracting more people to its spacious taproom and beer garden, while reducing the corporate stigma the brewery has been saddled with. They plan on hosting more events at the facility and just getting more beer in the hands of locals.

One upcoming project they are very excited about is a retirement beer for Strief that will be a hazy double IPA. “The craft beer scene is leaning towards juicy IPAs and sours which we trying, but only by staying true to the core values of our beers being easy-drinking sessions,” said Guillory.

“The double IPAs have only become a thing here in the last year, year and a half. We have yet to do one, so this seemed like a good opportunity to throw our first attempt out there,” added Allen.

That is also going to lead them into their Legends Series of beers paying homage to local sports heroes. The first on the list is Steve Gleason, the Saint who famously blocked a punt in the team’s first game back at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and so the brewery is planning to donate proceeds from that beer to Gleason’s foundation, Team Gleason, which raises awareness for ALS. “We are really hoping that people who know him, and even those who don’t, will learn about his cause all while enjoying a great beer,” said Guillory.

With so many exciting projects, numerous options on tap and special events happening at a unique spot along the New Orleans waterfront, Port Orleans is becoming a must visit for beer connoisseurs near and far alike.

Cheers!

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