Beers With Chuck: Grand Reserve Day at Parish Brewery in Broussard, La.

by Chuck P

It seems every November when Parish Brewing Company holds its annual Grand Reserve Day, something comes up and I can't make it or I forget to buy tickets and it sells out. But this year, thanks to my good friend at Mockler Beverage Jacob Talley, I was finally able to attend, and I'm already making sure my schedule will be open for the next one.

Parish founder Andrew Godley holds this annual event complete with live music, food trucks, and definitely enough delicious craft beer to keep everyone happy.

Jacob and I made our way to the Parish taproom in Broussard, Louisiana, and after getting our armbands and tasting glasses, we made our way through the taproom. Craft beer lovers excited to try this year’s batch and the different variations of their signature Canebreak Wheat Ale, Envie Pale Ale and Southcoast Amber Ale crowded the area.

I had the chance to try a number of their creative brews, including Plum Southcoast, Braincake, Blueberry Canebreak, Grapefruit Envie, Barrel Aged Grand Reserve, and the Neopolitan Milk Stout.

The standout is obviously the Grand Reserve Barleywine Ale.

Parish's Grand Reserve, courtesy of parishbeer.com

Parish’s Grand Reserve Barleywine Ale is an annual, limited brew that quickly vanishes off of store shelves as soon as it’s released. Even with its supply being upped from 1,300 bottles in 2012 to a whopping 5,000 bottles for the 2015 release, the Barleywine Ale is a hot commodity.

The 11% ABV, perfect for sitting back and enjoying, especially since they come in 750ml bottles. The great thing about the Grand Reserve is that it ages really well. I have bottles from every year of its release, and I'm itching to get some folks together to open them all and compare them!

After a few hours of great music and great craft beer, we made our way back home with our bounty of Grand Reserve bottles (including a barrel aged version) and a few 4-packs of their incredible Ghost In The Machine Double IPA, by far one the best beers in the state.

Andrew Godley put on an amazing party for craft beer drinkers from around the area, and I can only assume this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

This post is a part of a series where we delight in Chuck P's brewtastic adventures. Check out his other beer soaked experiences:

Gnarly Barley's Imperial Korova Milk Porter at the GnarBQ
Tin Roof 5th Anniversary Party ft. the Oatmeal Pale Ale and Parade Ground Coffee Porter
Cold Brews in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...