Abita Brewing Company, Louisiana’s original craft brewery, has announced the launch of the Abita Beverage Group, a new platform reflecting the company’s evolution into a multi-category beverage producer and strategic partner across alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage segments, as it enters its 40th year in 2026.
Founded in 1986 in Abita Springs, the company has grown from a small local operation into one of the region’s most recognized beverage producers. Over the past four decades, Abita has helped define the region’s craft brewing culture with brands like Purple Haze, and the bold Gator Series, including fan favorites like AndyGator, StrawGator and AlphaGator. Today, Abita operates across beer, craft soda, ready-to-drink cocktails and emerging beverage categories, supported by expanded production, packaging and commercialization capabilities.
Over the past three years, Abita has invested more than $6 million into production and packaging infrastructure, increasing capacity by 40% and expanding its ability to support both owned brands and partner production. The company currently supports 15 beverage partners across multiple categories and packaging formats.
The Abita Beverage Group encompasses Abita Brewing Company, Abita Distilling Company and the company’s growing contract manufacturing, packaging and logistics services, positioning Abita as both a brand builder and a full-service beverage production partner.
“The creation of the Abita Beverage Group reflects how our business has evolved,” said Troy Ashley, President of Abita. “Beer will always be the heart of who we are, but today we’re producing and supporting a much wider range of beverages. This structure allows us to grow with the market while staying true to the Louisiana roots that built our brand.”
Abita supports partners across multiple beverage categories, including beer, ready-to-drink beverages, flavored malt beverages, non-alcoholic beverages and neutral malt base production, a key input for many emerging beverage formats. The company provides end-to-end solutions – from formulation and production to packaging, warehousing and distribution – including multi-SKU variety packs, retail ready configurations and flexible packaging formats.
With strategic Gulf South logistics and decades of production expertise, Abita is increasingly partnering with beverage brands looking to scale efficiently while maintaining quality and consistency. The company is also exploring opportunities to partner with, invest in and potentially acquire brands that align with its production capabilities and long-term growth strategy.
“Over the past forty years we’ve built a strong foundation not just as a brewery, but as a beverage production platform,” Ashley added. “Through the Abita Beverage Group, we’re creating opportunities to develop our own brands, support partners and continue expanding into new categories that reflect how consumers are drinking today.”
As part of its expanding beverage portfolio, Abita is launching Upbeat Vodka Cocktails, a canned vodka-based RTD line designed for a wide range of retail and on-premise occasions. The lineup includes 19.2oz single-serve cans and 12oz sleek cans in Lemonade, Cranberry, Strawberry, and Lime & Tonic. Upbeat Vodka will also be available in 750ml bottles, creating a full vodka-based portfolio. Crafted with clean vodka and pure artesian spring water from Abita Springs, each 12oz serving contains 100 calories and is gluten-free aligning with growing demand for lighter, convenient beverage options.
“We are perpetual optimists,” said Heidi Guerra, VP of Marketing of Abita Brewing Company. “With Upbeat Vodka Cocktails, we set out to create something bright, approachable and thoughtfully crafted using clean vodka and our pure artesian spring water. It’s a natural extension of how we’re evolving as a company and the types of beverages consumers are enjoying today.”
As part of its launch, Upbeat Vodka Cocktails will serve as the official and preferred vodka and vodka-based ready-to-drink sponsor of the French Quarter Festival.
“The ready-to-drink category continues to grow rapidly, and Upbeat gives our distributor partners and retail customers a Louisiana-crafted RTD with strong brand recognition, great flavor and formats,” said Leo Basile, VP of Sales for Abita.
As Abita enters its 40th anniversary year, the company will also release a limited-edition 40th Anniversary Honey Blonde Ale (8% ABV) and introduce a 15-pack of Golden, the first beer ever brewed by the company. Abita will also host anniversary celebrations at its Covington brewery on April 11 and its New Orleans brewery on May 9, honoring four decades of Louisiana craftmanship and community.
With the launch of the Abita Beverage Group, the company is building on its legacy while expanding its role as a beverage innovator and production partner for the next generation of brands.
