Birth of the Brews: A History of Dixie Beer

Description

Hear the story of Dixie Beer from its beginnings in 1907, when New Orleans was considered by many to be the brewing capital of the south.  Dixie was one of nearly 50 breweries operating at the turn of the 20th century and became one of the most popular, along with Jax, Regal and Falstaff.

Dixie called itself “the one that would rather be best than biggest” and by the late 1970s, it was the only major local brewery left. Its survival story – through prohibition, bankruptcy, Hurricane Katrina and its 2017 sale to Tom and Gayle Benson – makes its rebirth even more special.

Interviews include Dixie Beer and New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson as  well as Dixie co-owner Kendra Bruno. Bruno and her husband Joseph helped keep the brewery alive in the 1980s and 90s as well as after Hurricane Katrina when the beer was brewed out of state.

Also included in the 30-minute documentary are interviews with current Dixie Beer employees including general manager Jim Birch and brewmaster Kevin Stuart, who actually began working for Dixie in the 1980s on Tulane Avenue. Hear from local bar owner Edward Piglia, who is a beer memorabilia collector, Judge Edwin Lombard, musician “Deacon John” Moore and general manager and head chef of Parkway Bakery and Tavern Justin Kennedy.

 

Narrated by: Peggy Scott Laborde.

Produced by: Peggy Scott Laborde and Jim Moriarty.