South Mississippi celebrates National Beer Day

Today is National Beer Day and News 25 celebrates by going to one of our local breweries on the Coast to discuss the state of craft beer in South Mississippi.

Craft beer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast begins with Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in the Kiln and from there more of these businesses bubbled up on the Coast, where at least six breweries are in production.

Hops and Growlers opened in Ocean Springs a little more than four years ago and Co-Owner Scott Hixson believes craft beer is just getting started here.

Visitors from wintry states like Illinois and Minnesota often seek out hearty local brews like those found at Hixson’s business.

Given craft beer’s growing popularity in South Mississippi, more and more home brewers look to form their own startups. Hixson said, “We’re seeing breweries opening up, I was in the beginning stages of the brewery revival in the state. I’m seeing it daily, where people are saying, I’m opening a brewery or thinking about opening a brewery, asking me for advice. I just think it’s going to get bigger, and I think it’s a wonderful time to be a brewery owner in the state of Mississippi.”

Hops and Growlers is family-owned and offers 20 craft beers on tap.