Covington Brewhouse

Covington Brewhouse is an American craft beer brand producing various beer styles, but detailed information is limited.

Heiner Brau began in 2005 when local contractor Fritz Schroth established a brewery in Covington, Louisiana. The venture emerged during the expansion of Louisiana's post-Prohibition brewing scene. It was identified as the state's third brewery founded after Prohibition, following Abita Brewing and the Crescent City Brewhouse. The brewery therefore occupied a relatively early position in the state's modern craft-beer history, particularly outside New Orleans and the established Abita market. Operations were based in the former Alexius Hardware building in downtown Covington's historic district. The building stood between the old train depot, the city's landmark water tower, and the trailhead park. Reusing a recognizable historic commercial property gave the brewery a strong physical identity and made it part of the downtown visitor experience. The business later operated under the Covington Brewhouse name, while Heiner Brau remained associated with its original identity. The brewery's product program included year-round beers such as Pontchartrain Pilsner, Bayou Bock, and Strawberry Ale. Alongside these regular offerings, it made seasonal beers and performed contract brewing for restaurants in Covington, New Orleans, and surrounding areas. The available reference material indicates that the company expanded its brewing capacity over time, but does not provide precise production figures, facility dates, or investment details. Its contract work also gave it a role in regional beer supply beyond sales under its own labels. Covington Brewhouse's history intersected with the wider effects of Hurricane Katrina. When the Dixie brewing facilities were damaged by the storm, Covington Brewhouse temporarily brewed Dixie beer. This arrangement illustrates how smaller or less-damaged breweries could provide short-term production support after a major regional disaster, although the available sources do not state the exact duration or volume of the arrangement. The brewery developed a visible community role through involvement in local events, including Taps on the Trace and the Rockin' the Rails concert series. These activities associated the brand with Covington's trail system, rail heritage, live music, and civic programming. They also reflected the common role of local breweries as gathering places and event participants rather than solely as packaged-beer producers. The business was reported closed on January 25, 2019. Its property had been sold to new owners, but the new owners had not announced plans for the site. No supplied reference confirms a subsequent reopening, acquisition, or continuation of the brewery under another name. The documented operating history therefore ends with the 2019 closure.

1. 2019Brewery closes

   Covington Brewhouse was reported closed on January 25, 2019, after the property was sold to new owners.

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2. 2005Heiner Brau is founded in Covington

   Local contractor Fritz Schroth founded Heiner Brau in Covington, making it one of the earliest Louisiana breweries established after Prohibition.

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3. Operations continue as Covington Brewhouse

   The brewery became known as Covington Brewhouse and operated from the former Alexius Hardware building in downtown Covington.

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4. Temporary Dixie beer production after Hurricane Katrina

   The brewery temporarily produced Dixie beer after Hurricane Katrina damaged Dixie Brewing's facilities.

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A local Louisiana craft brewery combining a recognizable Covington taproom and community presence with year-round beers, seasonal releases, and contract brewing for regional restaurants.

• Pontchartrain PilsnerYear-round beer

  A year-round pilsner associated with the brewery's core beer range. Its name references Lake Pontchartrain, the major geographic feature separating Covington from New Orleans. The supplied sources identify it as a regular offering but do not provide detailed specifications such as alcohol content, recipe, packaging, or production volume.

• Bayou BockYear-round beer

  A year-round bock-style beer in the brewery's regular portfolio. The name connects a traditional beer style with Louisiana's bayou landscape. Available reference material confirms its place in the core range but does not document its exact formulation, strength, package formats, or distribution footprint.

• Strawberry AleYear-round beer

  A fruit-associated ale listed among the brewery's year-round beers. It formed part of the more distinctive branded range alongside the pilsner and bock offerings. No detailed technical description or release history is provided in the available sources.

• Seasonal beersSeasonal beer

  Covington Brewhouse produced additional seasonal beers beyond its regular portfolio. The supplied material does not identify the individual seasonal names, styles, release schedule, or markets.

• Contract brewsContract brewing

  The brewery made contract beers for restaurants in Covington, New Orleans, and nearby areas. These production arrangements extended the facility's role beyond its own Heiner Brau or Covington Brewhouse labels, although the customer brands and specific products are not identified in the supplied references.

• Taps on the Trace

  Covington, Louisiana

  Covington Brewhouse participated in Taps on the Trace, a local community event associated with the city's trail and public gathering culture.

  Outcome. The brewery became more involved in Covington community events; attendance or commercial results are not documented.

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• Rockin' the Rails

  Covington, Louisiana

  The brewery took part in the Rockin' the Rails concert series, connecting its local identity with Covington's historic rail setting and music programming.

  Outcome. The event contributed to the brewery's community presence, but specific campaign outcomes are not reported.

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• 2019Close the brewery following a property saleOther

  The brewery operated from a historic downtown property that was sold to new owners.

  What changed. Covington Brewhouse ceased operations by January 25, 2019.

  Aftermath. The new owners had not announced plans for the location, and no later reopening is documented in the supplied material.

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• Expand into contract brewingStrategy

  The brewery operated in a regional market serving Covington, New Orleans, and nearby communities.

  What changed. In addition to its own beer range, Covington Brewhouse produced contract brews for restaurants in the surrounding area.

  Aftermath. The arrangement broadened the facility's production role, although no financial or volume data is available.

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• Temporarily brew Dixie beer after Hurricane KatrinaOther

  Hurricane Katrina damaged the Dixie brewing facilities and disrupted that brewery's normal production.

  What changed. Covington Brewhouse temporarily produced Dixie beer as a short-term production-support arrangement.

  Aftermath. The temporary brewing relationship is documented, but its duration and commercial terms are not available.

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• 2019Covington Brewhouse closes after property sale

  The brewery was reported closed on January 25, 2019. The property had been sold to new owners, who had not announced plans for the location.

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• Covington Brewhouse temporarily brews Dixie beer after Hurricane Katrina

  Following Hurricane Katrina, Covington Brewhouse temporarily produced Dixie beer while damage to the Dixie brewing facilities disrupted that brewery's operations.

  Other
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1. Covington Brewhouse
2. Covington Brewhouse official website