Oh no! Explosion rocks Abita Brewery....

[NOLA]

Explosion rocks Abita Brewery in St. Tammany Parish

Posted by Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune January 13, 2009 10:35AM

An explosion tore through the Abita Brewery near Abita Springs early Tuesday morning when a tank became over pressurized.

The 1:30 blast knocked down a wall of the brewery, shattered windows in a nearby trailer park and was heard two miles to the south along Harrison Avenue, said Capt. Matt Huddleston, with St. Tammany Parish's 12th Fire Protection District.

No one was injured in the explosion, which did not cause a fire, Huddleston said.

Prior to the blast, brewery crews were cleaning a large tank, a process that includes pressurizing the tank with CO2, Huddleston said. But a valve failed Tuesday morning, allowing the tank to become over pressurized and eventually explode, he said.

"None of the other equipment seems to be damaged, but there is a large hole in the building," Huddleston said, noting that firefighters checked to make sure the brewery was still structurally sound before leaving.

[NOLA]

I didn't see any reports on production being reduced or halted....

[linza22]

I didn't see any reports on production being reduced or halted....


oh Thank God! oh, yea...and i'm glad no one was hurt....so are the prices goona go up in charlotte? ;>)

[djgriff]

oh Thank God! oh, yea...and i'm glad no one was hurt....so are the prices goona go up in charlotte? ;>)

I was thinking the same thing! What does one pay for Abita around the country? - When I can find it up here, I have to pay about $9 for a six pack.

[linza22]

I was thinking the same thing! What does one pay for Abita around the country? - When I can find it up here, I have to pay about $9 for a six pack.

i think it's usually around $7.00, and it's always at my Harris Teeter.

[swag]

"None of the other equipment seems to be damaged, but there is a large hole in the building"

Sounds like production can continue. :)

[marignygreg]

Oh boy, I hope Gumbo is going to be o.k.;)

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

So, would it be insider trading if I buy up all of the Abita in Kingwood before it hits the local news?

[festbabe]

I didn't see any reports on production being reduced or halted....

Thank gawd

[linza22]

So, would it be insider trading if I buy up all of the Abita in Kingwood before it hits the local news?

i think that would be just preparing for the future. that's what any adult would do...

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

i think that would be just preparing for the future. that's what any adult would do...

:)

[sharon_loves_fats]

I was thinking the same thing! What does one pay for Abita around the country? - When I can find it up here, I have to pay about $9 for a six pack.

I can't ever find it around here :(

[mdfest]

Oh the humanity!

[NOLA]

Oh boy, I hope Gumbo is going to be o.k.;)

Gumbo, you OK? Check in with us, Dan....I didn't mean to cause you any anguish or trauma with my post!

[Lit]

I was thinking the same thing! What does one pay for Abita around the country? - When I can find it up here, I have to pay about $9 for a six pack.

I can find it in a few places here in CT and it usually goes for $6.99 to $7.99 for a six pack. Whenever I find the Restoration Ale, which one of the stores now orders for me, I buy it. No sign of the Jockamo IPA here yet.

Prices for all the beers I buy have risen steadily over the past year. From what I understand this is due to a worldwide hop shortage, as well as the increased gas prices from last summer and before. Even though the gas prices have dropped, the prices won't. And I think the hop shortage is still having an effect on the prices. So...Abita is at the lowest end of the range of prices I now expect to pay for the beers I drink.

[djgriff]

I can't ever find it around here :(

Does this help?


http://www.abita.com/find_abita/index.php

[linza22]

Gumbo, you OK? Check in with us, Dan....I didn't mean to cause you any anguish or trauma with my post!

Frank, can you take a little more time at lunch and check in with him?

[djgriff]

From the Abita Website:

By Abita Public Relations on January 13, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)


Very early Tuesday morning, January 13, 2009, an Abita Brewing Company employee was cleaning an empty beer-aging tank. As part of the cleaning process the tank was being filled with carbon dioxide when the tank ruptured creating a loud sound that could be heard in the immediate area.

No one was injured as a result of the rupture and no product was lost. Abita employees on site worked with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's deputies to respond to the incident in conjunction with Abita’s safety training protocol.

Brewery production has been temporarily suspended and should resume shortly. Abita Brewing Company president David Blossman says they expect to return to full normal operations Wednesday.

"Safety is a first priority at our brewery. Our teams followed safety protocols and as a result no one was injured,” said Blossman. “We apologize if we startled our neighbors or disturbed their sleep. For 23 years our brewery has been free of any incidents such as this. With safety as a priority we plan to investigate what happened and implement procedures that continue to improve our safety procedures.”

The Abita Brewing Company was founded in Abita Springs, Louisiana in 1986 and is the oldest and largest craft brewer in the southeast. Abita is the 30th largest commercial brewer by production volume in the nation and the 17th largest craft brewer in the United States. Sales for the company should exceed 85,000 barrels and $16.5 million this year.

[NOLA]

From the Abita Website:

By Abita Public Relations on January 13, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)


Very early Tuesday morning, January 13, 2009, an Abita Brewing Company employee was cleaning an empty beer-aging tank. As part of the cleaning process the tank was being filled with carbon dioxide when the tank ruptured creating a loud sound that could be heard in the immediate area.

No one was injured as a result of the rupture and no product was lost. Abita employees on site worked with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's deputies to respond to the incident in conjunction with Abita’s safety training protocol.

Brewery production has been temporarily suspended and should resume shortly. Abita Brewing Company president David Blossman says they expect to return to full normal operations Wednesday.

"Safety is a first priority at our brewery. Our teams followed safety protocols and as a result no one was injured,” said Blossman. “We apologize if we startled our neighbors or disturbed their sleep. For 23 years our brewery has been free of any incidents such as this. With safety as a priority we plan to investigate what happened and implement procedures that continue to improve our safety procedures.”

The Abita Brewing Company was founded in Abita Springs, Louisiana in 1986 and is the oldest and largest craft brewer in the southeast. Abita is the 30th largest commercial brewer by production volume in the nation and the 17th largest craft brewer in the United States. Sales for the company should exceed 85,000 barrels and $16.5 million this year.

For Dan's sake I am hopeful that a one-day suspension of production won't result in any Am-bah shortages in the Mid-City area...

[Geaux Cup]

Does anyone know if Abita distributes the Amber outside of the southeast? All I can ever find outside that area is Turbodog and Purple Haze. While those are good, I love Amber the bestest.

[festbabe]

Does anyone know if Abita distributes the Amber outside of the southeast? All I can ever find outside that area is Turbodog and Purple Haze. While those are good, I love Amber the bestest.Does this help?


http://www.abita.com/find_abita/index.php

GC - try this link. You can select the availability by flavor. I tried to find restoration ale, but gave up after expanding to 120 miles.

[djgriff]

Does anyone know if Abita distributes the Amber outside of the southeast? All I can ever find outside that area is Turbodog and Purple Haze. While those are good, I love Amber the bestest.

Follow the link in post # 16.

[mdfest]

Only since 1986? For some reason I thought ot was old.

[djgriff]

GC - try this link. You can select the availability by flavor. I tried to find restoration ale, but gave up after expanding to 120 miles.

May as well just go to NOLA if you're going that far!

[Geaux Cup]

God Bless Al Gore and the Internets. Thanks, you two!

[festbabe]

May as well just go to NOLA if you're going that far!

That what I was thinking :)

Luckily, Turbodog and Ambah are available in my 'hood. But, sometimes you gotta branch out.

[almarco]

Oh boy, I hope Gumbo is going to be o.k.;)

hmmm same thing I thought when I first seen this thread.

[Geaux Cup]

Wow...did you NOLA yokels see this on the website?

New Orleans Abita Bock Pub Crawl Event Price: Free

January 23, 2009 5:30PM

Ten years ago a great idea was born – celebrate the release of each Abita Seasonal Brew with visits to favorite places serving Abita Beer. It started out small and over the years has grown into the giant movable party loved by thousands.

$1 Abita at every location!
First 500 people to arrive receive a FREE commemorative t-shirt.

[grisgris]

Just put a 6 pak of amber in the frig this morning. Anyone heard from Gumbo yet?

[djgriff]

At a Jet game earlier this year, Charlie (Freakwinox) and I were enjoying some Amber in the parking lot and trying to decide if it was part novelty that we liked it so much or if it was just really good beer. We decided it was really good beer. I must have relayed that story to my wife because I came home from work yesterday and she was drinking an Amber with her dinner and said, "You're right, it is just really good beer". May have to restock more frequently now.

[bluesgirl]

Find the distributor link on the Abita site. Look up the distributor name that's nearest your local liquor store. Write down the info and give it to the owner/manager of the liquor store ad ask if he/she will order Abita for you..

I did that, and the guy at my neighborhood liquor store will order Purple Haze by the case for me now. :)

[jolie]

The Brewery was supposed to start bottling my beloved Andygator this month. I keep looking on shelves for it.. nothing yet

Sure hope this doesn't interfere

[mdfest]

Dan is busy at his job at Levy Pants. He is making a sign.

[Lit]

Dan is busy at his job at Levy Pants. He is making a sign.

So he's not selling hot dogs for Paradise Vendors any more?

[MormonMatthew]

"Hot dog vendors had an image problem already without one of them passing out in the street by a whorehouse"

[Orleansnj]

Glad that is didn't knock out production. We are fortunate, after bugging them for several years, our grocery store (shoprite) now stocks Abita and almost all of the seasonal - which I find absolutely amazing. We have a number of local stores that carry it - which I would think means the distributor is behind it.

I do like Abita - although there are times when it can be inconsistent. I think it might be my favorite red ale.

[swag]

For Dan's sake I am hopeful that a one-day suspension of production won't result in any Am-bah shortages in the Mid-City area...

I thought Dan himself caused the Am-bah shortage in the Mid-City area.

[festivalgirl]

Glad that is didn't knock out production. We are fortunate, after bugging them for several years, our grocery store (shoprite) now stocks Abita and almost all of the seasonal - which I find absolutely amazing. We have a number of local stores that carry it - which I would think means the distributor is behind it.

I do like Abita - although there are times when it can be inconsistent. I think it might be my favorite red ale.

i'm with you on the red ale!! if you ever see firestone red tail ale in your area, give it a try.

[NOLA]

I thought Dan himself caused the Am-bah shortage in the Mid-City area.

I think he gets some help every now and then from his roomie. Lisa's brother moving to town hasn't helped the supply situation either... ;)

[swag]

I think he gets some help every now and then from his roomie.

Nah, roomie is a wine girl & doesn't drink beer.

[Jada]

I thought Dan himself caused the Am-bah shortage in the Mid-City area.


LOL! YYR Swag!

[linza22]

LOL! YYR Swag!

too damn funny. trying to put some of the beer dinkin' on you!

[Freakwinox]

They had Amber as a special treat at Sullivan Hall over the weekend to go with all the nola music. It didn't last whole weekend; we asked if they could make it a regular addition to the line-up. $6 a pop.

Most Wegmans in NJ carry Abita products. Had the Christmas Ale when in nola about a month ago...was hoping it would find its way north.

[sharon_loves_fats]

Does this help?


http://www.abita.com/find_abita/index.php

Yes!

I'd have to travel 113 miles for an Amber, but Purple Haze is only 6.9 miles away - who knew!

[jeanvi]

I was thinking the same thing! What does one pay for Abita around the country? - When I can find it up here, I have to pay about $9 for a six pack.

Just wish I could get it here, at any price!! The seasonal berry flavored brew blew my doors off last year. Helped drink Ol'Toones bar on Decatur out of it last fest.

[mightyradgumbo]

Ok Ok nothing to see here...move along you lookie-lous....production should not be halted to create a situation where I need to call in federal troops or anything.

I plan on touring the damage scene with Gov. Jindal, Sen. Landrieu and other people in need of some fun to check the scope of the damage tomorrow but right now I have to go to the fridge and grab a cold, cold ambah (as some of you apparently pronounce it for some reason).

[denideadhead]

They had Amber as a special treat at Sullivan Hall over the weekend to go with all the nola music. It didn't last whole weekend; we asked if they could make it a regular addition to the line-up. $6 a pop.
But yay there were still a few stashed for the Sunday crowd :) and if they make it a regular at Sullivan might make me more of regular at Sullivan hall!
Hope this production halt does not seriously impact my weekend in NOLA :rolleyes:

[ozzie]

Oh thank gawd no bourbon was involved!

[rosetree]

Ok Ok nothing to see here...move along you lookie-lous....production should not be halted to create a situation where I need to call in federal troops or anything.

I plan on touring the damage scene with Gov. Jindal, Sen. Landrieu and other people in need of some fun to check the scope of the damage tomorrow but right now I have to go to the fridge and grab a cold, cold ambah (as some of you apparently pronounce it for some reason).

I'm sure that you'll do a heck of a job Gumbo! ;) :D

[NeenAtlanta]

My neighborhood liquor store expanded its "craft beer" section and now carries a variety of Abita flavors. I was so psyched to see it on their shelf!

For my Christmas party, I bought a couple of "Abita Party Packs" which were 12 packs of assorted flavors, and they went like hotcakes.

[ABITAGIRL1]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/kerrystaub/abita/Abita.jpg
We can get ALL varieties now on Long Island. I wrote a letter to my local grocery requesting them to stock it and it worked! They even had the Christmas/Fall seasonals this year. I loved the Christmas brew. Amber's my fave but my husband is a Turbo fan so we keep up the stock on that one too.

[tangledupinblue]

I knew my abitagirl would show up on this thread. Yes, you have been serious about getting Abita at your local grocery! No messing with you and your Abita.

[MaloGator]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/kerrystaub/abita/Abita.jpg
We can get ALL varieties now on Long Island. I wrote a letter to my local grocery requesting them to stock it and it worked! They even had the Christmas/Fall seasonals this year. I loved the Christmas brew. Amber's my fave but my husband is a Turbo fan so we keep up the stock on that one too.

Oh,my... but that's beautiful. I can find it here, but it upwards of $9 a six. One place I would go served it, but then it disappeared. The owner, who was a frequent fester in his former life, said it wasn't selling very well. I did what I could...

[Orleansnj]

Oh,my... but that's beautiful. I can find it here, but it upwards of $9 a six. One place I would go served it, but then it disappeared. The owner, who was a frequent fester in his former life, said it wasn't selling very well. I did what I could...

Malo - Blanchard's in Allston sells it fairly inexpensively - like 8.99 a six - which is only $1.50 over what we paid in n.o. at rouses on s. carrollton

[bluesgirl]

I sent the link to the owner of Clarence's, our local NOLA restaurant. He emailed that he would call the supplier to order extra beer, just in case there was a disruption in the supply. :D

Obama's train is stopping at the restaurant on Saturday, for any of you all that might be headed to DC for the festivities. The location is in Edgewood, which is between Wilmington (where they pick up Joe Biden) and Baltimore (site of a rally on Saturday).

Here's the email that I got today if anyone is interested:
Hi All of Clarence's Email subscribers,

I have just spoken with Councilman Dion Guthrie. The Obama Inauguration team just phoned him to let him know that the Obama-Biden train will leave Wilmington on its way to Baltimore with only one stop in-between.....Edgewood. There will be a brief stop where President-elect Obama and Vice-President-Elect Biden will greet the crowd assembled at Clarence's and the Edgewood MARC station. The date is this Saturday and the estimated time is 2:30pm. The security will be strict and anyone wishing to get close to the train will be screened and must pass through metal detectors. The public will only be allowed in the secure area after Noon. My advice is to arrive before 2:30 as parking will be limited and it may take some time to pass through security.

Clarence's will open our doors at Noon and will have some food and beverage service. We're working on those details now that we know the train will stop. Bring your cameras and signs to be part of this historic event. After the train leaves Edgewood you are welcome to stay at Clarence's to watch the Baltimore rally on TV.

Anyone with comments or suggestions is encouraged to reply to me by Friday.

Thanks,

Clarence, Stacy and Jim

www.ClarencesTasteOfNewOrleans.com

[Doubledown]

Does this help?


http://www.abita.com/find_abita/index.php JEWEL OSCO 2940 N ASHLAND AVE
CHICAGO IL 60657 (773) 871-8242 80.3 Miles !! wish I still lived in IL

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/kerrystaub/abita/Abita.jpg
We can get ALL varieties now on Long Island. I wrote a letter to my local grocery requesting them to stock it and it worked! They even had the Christmas/Fall seasonals this year. I loved the Christmas brew. Amber's my fave but my husband is a Turbo fan so we keep up the stock on that one too.

Did you tell them your name was ABITAGIRL1?

[mightyradgumbo]

Oh,my... but that's beautiful. I can find it here, but it upwards of $9 a six. One place I would go served it, but then it disappeared. The owner, who was a frequent fester in his former life, said it wasn't selling very well. I did what I could...

In addition to Blanchards in Allston, Blanchards in West Roxbury if you are closer will order it for you. They would love to sell it but do not have a big call for it~like my sales alone wouldn't be enough :rolleyes:

Also Downtown Wine and Spirits in Slummerville carrys it. The Sunset Tap had it on tap I believe the last time I was there. 112 beers on tap and no Abita would be a sin

[MaloGator]

In addition to Blanchards in Allston, Blanchards in West Roxbury if you are closer will order it for you. They would love to sell it but do not have a big call for it~like my sales alone wouldn't be enough :rolleyes:

Also Downtown Wine and Spirits in Slummerville carrys it. The Sunset Tap had it on tap I believe the last time I was there. 112 beers on tap and no Abita would be a sin

Thanks Orleansnj and Gumbo. YYR it can be found, usually turbod and the ambah;) , but you're paying for it, which I don't mind on the occasions I get the NOLA blues.

I won't go to Downtown though, Gumbo, even when I lived right around the corner. They have an excellent selection, but it is WAY over-priced. But speaking of Slummerville, next time you're in town you should go to Highland Kitchen on Highland Ave up near the high school. Mark and his wife Marcy, the owners, are JF vets and serve up some great food, with many New Orleans inspired dishes rotating on and off the menu. He got his chops at the East Coast Grill way back and then the Green St Grill before opening his own place. And the jukebox is killer- could've been plucked out of any bar on Frenchmen.

And I never have good luck at the Sunset - TOO many taps, not enough movement, makes Malo a dull boy.

[ABITAGIRL1]

Did you tell them your name was ABITAGIRL1?
nah, it might have scared them off. I wrote about how nice it would be for them to support New Orleans and how some of the $$ from restoration ale go to rebuilding. But we are spreading the love here in NY, my son is a senior in HS (and though not legal drinking age) he has decided Abita is not just tasty but cool to drink and has turned on half of his senior class to the beer.They started to carry it at my local distributor now and when I was there the other day picking up a six the owner told me "this stuff is selling like mad". That's the kids! I heard they don't use if for pong (too pricey) but it's the beer to get to celebrate with.Their Veuve Clicquot! We visited Tulane a couple of months ago and he was looking for ABITA shirts and baseball hats. It makes a mother proud.

[rosetree]

nah, it might have scared them off. I wrote about how nice it would be for them to support New Orleans and how some of the $$ from restoration ale go to rebuilding. But we are spreading the love here in NY, my son is a senior in HS (and though not legal drinking age) he has decided Abita is not just tasty but cool to drink and has turned on half of his senior class to the beer.They started to carry it at my local distributor now and when I was there the other day picking up a six the owner told me "this stuff is selling like mad". That's the kids! I heard they don't use if for pong (too pricey) but it's the beer to get to celebrate with.Their Veuve Clicquot! We visited Tulane a couple of months ago and he was looking for ABITA shirts and baseball hats. It makes a mother proud.

Warms the cockles of your heart....THITs......(Thread heads in training);) :D

[Take a bath in Abita]

The Christmas Ale was excellent !
I grabbed 1 six pack then it was gone!
I tried all of the various Christmas ales this year and Abita was
The best!