USA, LA: Arpent Brewery scheduled to launch in Arabi, LA next year

In 2013, another local beer maker can be added to the Louisiana landscape. Michael Naquin plans to open 40 Arpent brewery in Arabi by St. Patrick's Day. The first beer will be a Creole Red Ale on draft made with red beans and rice. If all goes well, he'll also have bottles by the end of the year, Nola.com reported on December, 24.

"I have just started the permit process, which is ridiculous and cumbersome," Naquin said. "I'm pretty sure (the federal government) already knows more about me than I know about myself."

Originally, Naquin planned to open a tiny, "nano" brewery. With the purchase of a 10 barrel brewing system from East End Brewing Company of Pittsburg, however, 40 Arpent jumped to the "micro" level. The brewery will have the capacity to produce 500 barrels by the end of the year. That will be enough, Naquin said, to supply 25 bar accounts around the area.

"This is not an easy business to open," Naquin said. "All negatives aside, I'm having fun. It's not often you get the opportunity to open a business that so many people are interested in and want to be a part of."

27 December, 2012