A Sense of Place

Abita Brew Pub

Many People have enjoyed the refreshing taste of an Abita beer, the most popularly recognized being Purple Haze, but few journey to the small town where the renowned flavor was born. For Abita Springs, Louisiana the Abita Brew Pub holds a strong cultural significance. Strategically located in the center of town the Pub stands as a marker for the city it is framed on one side by the Tammany trace; a 31-mile asphalted trail and parallel equestrian trail that connects five communities--Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe, and Slidell.

The Abita Brew Pub has attained a level of authenticity in the community. From the many festivals such as this year's Abita Springs Crawfish Festival on April 17-18 or Louisiana Bicycle Festival held the Saturday before Father's Day. Other events such as the Abita Pub Crawl make the name of this small town familiar to people in larger cities. However, the real display of authenticity lies in the Pub itself. An unassuming exterior allows the building to blend in with the rest of the community. The height of the structure itself is sympathetic to its surrounding buildings, yet it still holds a place of understated prestige as its central location is detached from the strip shop pattern of businesses surrounding it. It’s as if the connected buildings point your eye in its direction. White picket fences on either side lead to the front door as a large oak shades the entrance. Inside the theme of genuineness is continued throughout. The front door opens up to the aged wood of the bar where many of Abita’s beers are freshly on tap. Further into the restaurant you can see a wall mural that depicts the old brewery and the trace beside it and the stainless steel equipment that still gleams proudly in the back of the restaurant. There is a real feeling of connection to a legacy when you are in this place. It is certain that the town would not exist as it is today were it not for this establishment.