Sample Liquid Louisiana Northshore breweries give you something to cheers about The Barley Oak Biergarten on Lakeshore drive serves up many of these St. Tammany brews all in the same spot, along with terrific sunsets over Lake Pontchartrain and a convivial vibe.
Pontchartrain Vineyards EXPERIENCE SOME OF PONTCHARTRAIN VINEYARD’S award-winning wines in its classic tasting room
adjacent to acres of vines. For $5 per person, sample a flight of wines made right there, including zinfandel, cab/syrah and blanc du bois. Founded in 1991, PV produces about 2,500 cases of wine a year. Wine, music and warm starry nights make for magical moments at Pontchartrain Vineyards’ popular Jazz’n the Vines concerts. Performers like Don Vappie, Charmaine Neville and local girl-done good Amanda Shaw take the small stage outside the tasting room and play for the audience before them on blankets and in lawn chairs. The greening vines form the backdrop as afternoon turns to a starry evening. 80158 LA 1082 , BUSH 20 | LOUISIANANORTHSHORE.COM
Abita Brewery
PHOTOS LAURAGRIER.COM; KEVIN GARRETT
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ouisiana’s first and largest craft brewery, Abita Brewing Company, started in 1986 as a tiny operation in a little pub in Abita Springs. In 1994, it officially outgrew its humble beginnings and moved up the road to a new state-of-the-art green facility, which produces more than 125,000 barrels of Abita beer a year. Along the way, it’s also become one of the Northshore’s most popular tourist attractions. Abita beer is now found in all 50 states and beyond, expanding its fan base and attracting visitors from across the planet. Imbibers come by car and by tour bus (and sometimes by bike, arriving via the nearby Tammany Trace bike path) to taste favorites like Purple Haze and Turbodog at the source. Loyal fans can help determine the fate of the craft brewery’s next releases — all new concoctions by Abita’s brewmaster Mark Wilson are first tested for popularity in the tap room. Self-guided tours are free; guided tours with tastings are $8. The visitor center and gift shop are open seven days a week and the welcoming taproom makes it easy for anyone to belly up and taste what master brewers, Artesian water and three decades of experience can produce. Craft soda tours are also available seasonally for sampling Abita Root Beer, Vanilla Cream Soda and King Cake Soda. Be sure and try The Boot while you’re in Abita’s tap room. This Louisiana-exclusive beer is one you won’t find outside of the Pelican State. Over in Mandeville, nano brewery Chafunkta Brewing Company is turning out beer with names like Old 504 porter and Voo Kay Ra IPA. Though they are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, both breweries boast loyal followings and fun events like trivia nights and regular visits from food trucks. Old Rail Brewing Company’s microbrewery, adjacent to Mandeville’s Tammany Trace Trailhead, has a stout and smooth Cow Catcher Chocolate Milk Stout, Hobo Helles lager and others on tap. The family-friendly restaurant also offers a full menu of savory Louisiana specialties like shrimp and grits and chicken and alligator sauce piquant.