Tapping into Shreveport-Bossier’s Craft Beer Scene
Good beer has been brewing in North Louisiana for over a decade now, so if you haven’t made the trip, it’s time to make that happen. I recently joined Visit Shreveport-Bossier on a tour of the area’s three craft breweries. While three might not be a whole lot in quantity, the quality is certainty there! I was joined by Chuck P of The ABV Podcast to check out The Seventh Tap Brewing Project, Flying Heart Brewing and Pub, and Great Raft Brewery.
The ABV Podcast records at The Seventh Tap Brewing Project in Shreveport, Louisiana in October, 2023. Episodes were also recorded at Flying Heart and Great Raft Brewing.
GREAT RAFT BREWING
Great Raft Brewing recently celebrated it’s 10th anniversary of crafting superb lagers and ales. As their motto says, they want everyone to “Drink Real Beer.” Distributed throughout Louisiana and into a few other states as well, Great Raft is known for their flagship beers like the Commotion American Pale Ale, Southern Drawl Dry-Hopped Pilsner, and Reasonably Corrupt Black Lager. Well established as one of the favorite lager breweries in the state, they also have some standout stouts and an iconic hazy double IPA called Grace & Grit, one of my personal favorites. The tap room in Shreveport features Dripp Hot Chicken and constantly hosts events and other parties. Each October they host their anniversary party, the Great Raft Ramble, which is definitely a party worth attending! Pictured below is the 10th Anniversary Hazy IPA with Electrolytes.
THE SEVENTH TAP BREWING PROJECT
The Seventh Tap Brewing Project has been operating for a few years now in Shreveport and is currently working on their second location in the East Bank development on the Bossier side of the Red River. Their story is a classic tale of three amigos bonding over home brew and deciding to turn their passion into a business. With a great mix of lighter beers, hoppy beers, delightful dark beers, sours, and seltzers, The Seventh Tap has a little something for everyone. They’re always putting something new on tap, so be on the lookout for that as well as food pop-ups, live music, and more at the tap room. Pictured below is the Madre Mole Imperial Stout with cocoa nibs, cinnamon, chilies, peanuts, plantain, and pecan.
FLYING HEART BREWERY & PUB
Flying Heart Brewery and Pub is located in an old fire station number 6 in Bossier City and provides an excellent atmosphere for two of life’s greatest pleasures: pizza and beer! They started making the pizzas in 2018 but the beers actually arrived a couple years before that. Since then the pub has continued to grow and provide the entertainment district of Bossier City with an excellent brew pub experience. In more recent years they’ve expanded their operation into locations in West Monroe and Natchitoches. As a brew pub, they also feature a full bar with cocktails and wine in additional to the beers that are crafted on site. Pictured below is a specialty release brown ale that I thoroughly enjoyed!
If you haven’t done a brewery tour of Shreveport-Bossier, now is the time to plan your trip! It is easy to make a long weekend out of local beer and great restaurants in the area. Make sure to check out Fat Calf Brasserie, Ki Mexico, Zuzul Coastal Cuisine, Lowder Baking Company, Lucky Palace, and so much more!
