Rhythm and Brews
by Leah Draffen
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Brian
“Bruiser”
WHERE THERE’S GOOD beer, you’d hope there’s good music—and where there’s good music, you’d hope there’s good beer. Brian “Bruiser” Broussard has the best of both worlds by making his own rhythm and brews. Stepping into the Covington Brewhouse, you automatically know you’re in a cool and funky place. Music is playing, guys are working, beer is brewing and the overall atmosphere is relaxed. Through the screen doors, you can smell the hops in the air and the sound of a water hose rinsing off the concrete. It’s hard to deny that a lot of love, work and sweat goes into each barrel Covington produces, but the outcome is not only a flavorful drink but also a reason to gather and celebrate friends, family and music. At 19 years old, Bruiser started on the path to
Broussard
owning a brewery. Of course, he didn’t realize that was the path he was on. “On my 19th birthday, my first job was at Abita Brewery. I started as a brewer apprentice, and by the end of the year I was a brewer—an underage brewer,” laughs Bruiser. “At the time, I was making a third of the beer that was leaving the brewery.” During the day, Bruiser learned the ins and outs of brewing, and by night he would do what any 19-year-old would do—go listen to music and party. Soon enough, Bruiser’s connection to music and guitar skills opened an additional avenue for him. Bruiser was put in charge of sponsoring bands for Abita. “That’s when I began hanging out with Dash Rip Rock. I had their music growing up. Totally >> September-October 2016 97