Loren B.
Yelp
I think that one of the greatest gifts the 2010's gave us was the emergence of the local microbrewery with a great tap room. Such places proliferate now. Discovering them in new towns is one of my favorite parts of travel. Parish is such a local gem in Broussard, the fine "suburb" of Lafayette, LA.
Parish has the essentials: memorable atmosphere, catchy beer names, a strong local following, plenty of room inside and out, and above all, great brews. For me personally, the acid test of a truly great microbrewery is a solid core offering paired with the ability to titillate with both sours and stouts, especially barrel-aged stouts. Both are tricky, and each brings a niche crowd with strong loyalty. Parish crushed on all fronts.
Having mere minutes for a visit, we told ourselves we weren't going to drink. But, I (BA Stout guy) was inexplicably drawn to try Maple Shade, a bourbon barrel aged masterpiece refermented on Vermont maple syrup and finished on Rêve coffee, a local roastery. This thick, creamy urn of syrupy darkness was perfectly balanced, a boozy sweetness washed with coffee bitter. Sadly, I had to order a short 5oz pour, as we had a 7 hour drive ahead of us.
She (the Sours fan) tried Mango Mochi, a hazy orange-amber potion that was not as citrus-potent as some sours, but broke with a fruity sweetness that didn't overwhelm the hoppy undertones necessary for a sour beer to taste like a beer. Again, perfectly balanced and refreshing. An ideal summer beer for the sour lover.
Drinks were poured in a branded balloon glass, marked on one side with the oz measure and providing a brandy-like swirling experience to let the brew breathe. The room was brightly colorful, artsy, and lively on a Monday afternoon. The bartenders were helpful and knowledgeable about the beers and the history of the brewery. Broussard is lucky to have this place. If you're passing through on Highway 90 E, you should 100% stop here. We bought a tee shirt and vowed to return!