Brewery Launches New Phase Of Expansion

ABITA SPRINGS, La. (AP) — Abita Brewing is beginning the expansion of its visitor center and office spaces, the last phase of a $15 million renovation of the property in Abita Springs that began earlier this year.

Besides increasing its beer-brewing capacity, New Orleans CityBusiness reports the expansion will allow Abita to expand its brewery tours, which the company uses as its primary marketing tool.

At 5,800 square feet, the new visitor center will be double the size of the previous one. Abita CEO David Blossman said the company is working to increase the number of visitors it receives each year, from 30,000 to 70,000 within three years.

The brewery expansion added 200 barrels of capacity to the company's 100-barrel facility and a new cellar space with room for a dozen 800-barrel tanks.