The Abita Brewing Co., located just 30 miles north of New Orleans, survived the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita virtually unscathed (the brewery did go without power for a week, rising fermentation temperatures, and Abita had to dump about 1,000 barrels of spoiled beer. But total damages amounted to less than $25,000). Now the brewery is giving back to its less fortunate neighbors to the south.
Abita has been donating $1 from the sale of each six-pack of their Fleur-de-Lis brand to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit group founded in the aftermath of the two hurricanes. When the fundraising effort ends at the end of September, the brewery will have raised more than $500,000 for charity.
Although Abita markets its beers in 34 states, Wilson says, the company relies on its home state for 75 to 80 percent of its sales: “Our slogan is, ‘We’re Louisiana true.’ ” – The Washington Post
