Dixie Brewing Company facts for kids
Dixie Beer
|
|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1907 |
| Founder | Valentine Merz |
| Headquarters | 3501 Jourdan Road, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Products | Beer |
|
Production output
|
1,000,000 cases (pre-Katrina) |
| Owner | Gayle Benson (majority owner) Joe and Kendra Bruno (minority owners) |
The Dixie Brewing Company is a well-known brewery that started in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 31, 1907. For many years, the brewery was located on Tulane Avenue. However, in 2005, it had to close because of Hurricane Katrina. For a while, Dixie Beer was made in other states. But in November 2019, a new Dixie brewery finally opened its doors back in New Orleans.
Contents
History of Dixie Beer
Dixie Brewing was started by Valentine Merz. The company began making beer in 1907. The first Dixie Brewery building was made of brick and designed by a German architect named Louis Lehle. It was finished in 1907, and a wooden part was added in 1919.
Dixie During Prohibition
During a time known as Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcoholic drinks in the United States. Because of this, the company changed its name to "Dixie Beverage Company." They made other drinks instead of beer during this period.
Changes in Ownership
In 1983, a company from New Orleans called Coy International bought Dixie. Then, in November 1985, Joseph and Kendra Elliott Bruno became the new owners. In 1989, the owners faced financial difficulties and had to reorganize their business. After sorting things out in 1992, the brewery started making new kinds of special beers. These included Blackened Voodoo, which was a dark beer, and Crimson Voodoo, a red beer. In 1993, they also introduced Jazz Amber Light.
Hurricane Katrina's Impact
In 2005, the Dixie Brewery was badly damaged. This happened when the Mid-City New Orleans area flooded because of levee failures during Hurricane Katrina. After the water was pumped out, much of the equipment inside the brewery was taken. Even though there were hopes that the brewery would reopen, it never did at that location.
Because the original brewery closed, Dixie Beer was made by another company in Monroe, Wisconsin.
New Life for the Old Building
The old Dixie Brewery building on Tulane Avenue did not reopen. Instead, parts of it were used for a new Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in New Orleans. During the building's repair, workers focused on making sure the old structure was strong. They wanted to keep the famous tower with the "Dixie Brewery" name on it. The plan was to save and fix the six- and four-story parts of the old brewery. A new, modern building with brick and glass would be built behind the historic front.
Return to New Orleans
Tom Benson, who owned the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans sports teams, bought most of the Dixie brand in 2017. He bought it from Joe and Kendra Bruno. His plan was to bring the brewing operations back to New Orleans within two years. After Tom Benson passed away in 2018, his wife, Gayle Benson, took over as the main owner of the brewery.
On August 7, 2018, it was announced that a brand new Dixie Brewery would be built in New Orleans East. This new brewery would have a copy of the brick tower from the original brewery. It would also use the metal letters that were taken from the outside of the old building.
The new brewery and a tasting room were built inside a large warehouse. The property also includes a beer museum, a grassy area with a pond, walking paths, and places for outdoor games. There is also a private event space above the tasting room. It has a bar made from an old fermenting tank from the original brewery. A kitchen near the tasting room offers snacks and food.
In June 2019, Dixie Beer's production moved from Wisconsin to a brewery in Memphis, Tennessee. This was a temporary stop before it finally returned to New Orleans.
On November 25, 2019, the Dixie Brewing Company officially started making beer at its new brewery in New Orleans. This was the first time Dixie Beer was brewed in New Orleans since 2005. The brewery had its official opening to the public on January 25, 2020. Gayle Benson later announced a contest to change the name of the brewery.
Images for kids
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Dixie beer
