USA, LA: Louisiana Purchase Brewing Company getting ready to open by April 7

In downtown Ponchatoula, Louisiana Purchase Brewing Company (128 W. Pine St., Ponchatoula) is nearing completion, and owners Andy and Lindsey Turcotte hope to open in time for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival April 7-9, BestOfNewOrleans.com reported on March 21.

Louisiana Purchase will brew beer in its seven-barrel brewhouse, starting with 1803 Kolsch, a light, easy-drinking style. The taproom will have eight taps for its flagship beers and small batches brewed on a one-barrel pilot system.

�I think of the small system as my playground and the larger one as the office,� Andy says.

Once the brewery�s bottling line is running, the Turcottes� plan is to distribute 70 barrels per month in the Houma and Ponchatoula areas and brew up to 10 barrels per month for consumption at the brewery. Growlers will be available for purchasing beer to go.

Louisiana Purchase Brewing�s taproom will be open Wednesday through Friday evening and all-day Saturday. Andy says he�s working on a pale lager recipe and plans to brew a wide variety of styles.