Brandon Zeringue and his wife June had many goals when they opened the first brewery in St. Charles Parish last September, but one stood out: They wanted the brewery to become — as Brandon put it — St. Charles Parish’s living room.
“That’s really happened,” Brandon said. “It’s more than just a place to drink beer. It’s been a place for people to congregate and to come and meet, because the nature of the space itself is very accommodating.”
German Coast Beer Company on River Road in Luling will celebrate its first anniversary Sept. 20 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with multiple food vendors, the release of two new beers, door prizes, activities and recognition of its best customers.
“We’re really excited to showcase our appreciation for everyone who’s been involved and everyone who has supported us throughout the last year,” Brandon said. “It’s been really amazing to see the community really rally behind us and want to be a part of this. It’s been really awesome.”
The brewery stayed busy over the last year with special events like the Classic Car Cruise-In, monthly trivia, charity events and Oktoberfest. A recent comedy show brought in such a large crowd there was nearly standing room only.
Brandon said they learned quickly after the grand opening the brewery should offer the “whole package,” not just beer, but entertainment, environment and food. The brewery often brings in live music and food vendors, including Gonzo’s Smokehouse and Barbeque, Crawfish and Chill, Big Papi’s Smokehouse, Coop’s Burgers and many others.
“We’ve had so many events where the community has just asked for more, and the reviews on the beer have been fantastic, and the engagement in the community has been really high with the events that we do,” Brandon said.
The brewery also quickly grew its staff. It now has a social media manager, administrator, event planner and full-time head brewer. At the grand opening last year, the brewery had four beers on tap, including its popular Morning Star Lager and Super Duck IPA. Today, it has 12, with more on the way.
One of the special anniversary beers is a Doppelbock, a strong, full-bodied German lager that has an alcohol content close to 10 percent. The other anniversary beer is a double IPA with more hops and a higher alcohol content.
“I think all the craft beer lovers are going to really be excited,” Brandon said. “There’s something special about a really well-crafted beer. And seeing people enjoy that is always really fun. I think we’ve created some really interesting and high-quality beers that people can really come and enjoy.”
Brandon is a chemist and has brewed beer for more than 10 years. His creative process starts with pinpointing the feeling he wants the beer to invoke, from a refreshing summer lemon wheat ale to a richer, toastier holiday beer. Seasonal beers at the brewery have included beers with hints of honeydew, blueberry, pumpkin and pine.
The brewery recently partnered with a local beekeeper to harvest honey for a seasonal beer.
“We try to keep it as local as possible,” Brandon said. “Our spent grains go to farms, and they use it to feed their cows and chickens, as well.”
The vision for the brewery was always deeply rooted in the area’s history and personal significance. Brandon, who has lived and traveled throughout Louisiana and beyond, said the location was non-negotiable: it had to be in St. Charles Parish.
“I was born and raised here,” Brandon said. “This is where we came from. And this is a part of who we are. So many people here in St. Charles Parish have such deep roots.”
For Brandon, the brewery’s beer represents Louisiana: its history and legacy, its great food and great atmosphere, its sportsman’s paradise.
“Our goal is to become Louisiana’s beer,” Brandon said. “We truly want to be what you think of when you think of being from Louisiana. And I think in five years from now, you’ll see us in grocery stores all over the state and restaurants all over the state and celebrated as a very high quality and very Louisiana specific product.”
