E-Malt.com News article: USA, LA: Cottonport Brewing owners hope to launch it in late January

Sounds of construction still fill the air at Cottonport Brewing near Sterlington, Monroe News Star reported on November 27.

The owners — Troy DuGuay Sr., Troy DuGuay II and William Cook — said their opening date is pending approval from the Department of Health & Hospitals and the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, but they plan to be open in late January if all goes well.

Cook said they could be the first to open in northeastern Louisiana. Two other local breweries are being developed — Ouachita Brewing Co. and Flying Tiger Brewery are slated to open within the year.

The Cottonport Brewing facilities will offer a taproom and an outdoor beer garden with an area for bands to play outside. The kitchen has a sliding door that can be opened for customers to watch brewing in process. A large, computerized brewing machine along the back wall is the center of activity.

"That machine takes a lot of the stupidity out of it," Cook deadpanned.

The taproom, all three were quick to note, will only sell beer, not hard alcohol, making it different from a bar.

DuGuay Sr. said he's been a homebrewer since 1989, and his partners started more recently.

"We just love doing this. It's a passion for us," Cook said. "We love brewing beer. Why not take it to the next level and let everyone share what we like?"

DuGuay Sr. said they'll focus on Prohibition-era brews with a lower alcohol content and they plan to avoid wheat brews.

"We're not going to make something that we're not going to drink," DuGuay Sr. said.

"We're going to be satisfied before it goes through our taps," Cook added.

"It's just not our style," DuGuay Sr. said. "We'd rather spend time on our lagers."

"If you're not a beer person, that's definitely something to start off on," DuGuay II said. "I've got several friends who aren't beer drinkers who tried it with positive results."

The names, they said, draw on the history of riverboats that traveled the Ouachita River. Their love of historic details translates into the banding on the brass-topped bar and wood details in the ceiling and door to make the interior reminiscent of a cotton ship.

"We're trying to get the stuff that's takes you back in time," DuGuay Sr. said. "Back when beer was more social.

"Just a good, peaceful social time," Cooks said.

"And in the country," DuGuay Sr. said.

They plan to start with four ales and two lagers but can expand up to 12 taps, depending on growth.

Cottonport also will offer soda crafted on site, such as birch beer and cinnamon peach.

Doors will only be open for events, maybe two times a month, DuGuay Sr. said, but they hope to develop a dedicated following. Their licence, he said, allows for consumption on or off the premises, so they'll sell growlers.

Cook said if the events go well, they'll expand operating hours.

Next year, they plan an Oktoberfest and possibly a Märzen, a spring beer festival.

"In calendar days, that's a long way from now. In brewing days, that's just next weekend," Cook said.

Ales take three to four weeks from start to serve, but lagers can take two to three months.


02 December, 2015