While many University students like to consume alcoholicbeverages in bars close to campus, there are several places just ashort distance from Baton Rouge where they can gain a newappreciation for beer, wine and cocktails.
The Abita Brewery in Abita Springs is home to Louisiana’sbest-selling beer, according to David Blossman, Abitapresident.
Visitors can tour Abita’s microbrewery for free every weekend.Blossman said the relaxed experience on Abita’s tour is differentthan most brewery tours.
“This is not as structured,” he said. “It’s more hands-on. Youactually walk through the brewery where the beer is being made. Wedon’t sit and go through a video.”
Visitors of legal age can fill a mug at the beginning and refillas needed throughout the 30 to 45 minute tour.
Tours are given on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Sundayat 1 p.m., but the Brewpub restaurant is open daily.
In contrast, the Crescent City Brewhouse in New Orleans does notoffer tours.
“Watching brewing is like watching grass grow,” said managerPhilip Gilberti. “But we do have a full brewery and customers areable to see where the beer is fermenting.”
The restaurant offers a selection of lagers and ales brewed inthe same building they are served.
Crescent City’s beers are not available anywhere outside theBrewhouse, but that makes it a step above most breweries, Gilbertisaid.
Gilberti called Crescent City Brewhouse is “one of the moreelegant brewpubs” around.
“You can get anything from a burger to a fillet,” he said.
Southern Comfort and Grayline Tours of New Orleans sponsor a”Cocktail Tour” of the French Quarter. Guests visitvarious historical sites for mostly educational purposes, saidDavid Young of Grayline.
“It’s not meant to be a drinking tour,” hesaid. But, visitors are allowed to drink as they visit sites alongthe two-hour route. The tour begins at the building where SouthernComfort was first made, and then moves to several restaurants, barsand other landmarks throughout the city.
North of Baton Rouge, opportunities abound for winedrinkers.
The tourism bureaus of Louisiana and Mississippi teamed up tooffer the Deep South Wine and Antiques tour, a self-guided tourwith stops at wineries in Independence, Clinton and Jackson andNatchez, Miss.
“It’s not a formal tour,” said Emily McNeelyof the Tangipahoa Parish Office of Tourism. “It can be takenin sections. It’s more like a guide.”
Feliciana Cellars of Jackson, 30 miles north of Baton Rouge,specializes in muscadine wines. Business manager Sue Toler saidthey offer free tours and tasting every day.
Casa de Sue winery in Clinton is open Monday through Saturdayand offers tours and tasting of their 12 varieties of blueberry andmuscadine wines.