There was a time when there was no locally brewed beer here. When state law changed to allow craft breweries, they started popping up all around. Lazy Magnolia, located in Kiln, was the state’s first, opening in 2005. Now we also have Chandeleur Island Brewing, Lost Spring Brewery, Hops & Growlers and Fly Llama adding color and flavor to the area.
“Local breweries have become an important part of the Coastal Mississippi visitor experience. They add another layer to our culinary scene by offering locally crafted beers, welcoming gathering spaces, and authentic experiences that reflect the personality of each coastal community,” says Judy Young, executive director of Coastal Mississippi. “For visitors, breweries often serve as places to connect with locals, enjoy live music, attend small events, and experience the creative spirit that makes our region unique.”
Coastal Mississippi recently created the Coastal Mississippi Brewery Pass as a fun and easy way for visitors to explore the region’s craft beer scene. They are currently working to recruit all of the breweries across the region to participate. The Pass encourages guests to visit multiple breweries in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties while learning more about each community along the way. “It’s a great example of how we package experiences that help visitors discover more of the Coast,” she added.
With supporting tourism partners as a core part of the tourism agency’s mission, they promote brewery events, tours, and special releases through their website, visitor guide, social media channels, media outreach, and regional PR efforts. When breweries host festivals, collaborations, or special tastings, they work to amplify those opportunities to both visitors and locals through earned and social media.
“Breweries complement the larger story of Coastal Mississippi, where food, music, and culture are central to the visitor experience,” Young said. “Many of our breweries host live entertainment, food trucks, and community gatherings, which aligns perfectly with the relaxed, social atmosphere people expect when they visit the Gulf Coast.”
Chandeleur Island Brewing Company began nine years ago and takes its name from the off-shore island that’s a popular fishing spot. General Manager Gina Prater says things are going well at the brewery owned by Kam and Cain Roberds. They have exciting news for Pascagoula where Chandy Depot opens this month in the restored train depot.
Located in downtown Gulfport, Chandeleur Island Brewing participates in the Brewery Pass, leads tours and hosts frequent events for non profits. “On Tuesdays we give back to special causes where a part of the tab goes to a certain charity. It changes each month,” Prater said. “We have Blue Hope when everyone dons blue for colorectal cancer. We even have some blue dresses for sale here.”
The April non profit was Embrace Abilities for children on the spectrum. May will benefit the Gulfport Junior Auxiliary when there will be Mahjong games and lessons.
Fly Llama Brewing was founded by David and Kara Reese and launched operations in 2020. Brewmaster David Reese is one of only 29 Master Cicerones in the world.
“We brew a variety of craft beers, including our flagship lagers, specialty brews, and an array of popular hard seltzers,” Kara Reese said. “We offer 32 house-made brews in the taproom located in downtown Biloxi.”
Fly Llama hosts the annual Llampalooza Music & Street Festival, which will take place this year on Saturday, October 24. “We offer private brewery tours for groups booked in advance. Additionally, we host popular weekly events like Taco Tuesday, Vinyl Night Wednesday,Wing Night Thursday and First Friday Block Party monthly. Their products are available at bars and restaurants through their distributor partners throughout the states of Mississippi and Alabama.
“We are very proud of our rapidly expanding distribution and the superior quality of our hard seltzers compared to other brands on the shelf,” Reese said. “We also feature Hungry Llama, an on-site kitchen known for its signature smash burgers and smoked wings.”
Tourism’s Young adds, “One of the things that makes Coastal Mississippi special is how locally driven our tourism experiences are. Our breweries, like our attractions, hotels, and restaurants are owned and operated by passionate people who love this place and want
to share it with others.”
