Dixie Brewing

Dixie Brewing was founded by Valentine Merz, and began production in 1907. During Prohibition, they became the "Dixie Beverage Company." In 1989, its owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, emerging reorganized in 1992 with a new line of speciality beers, including: Jazz Amber Light (introduced in 1993), Blackened Voodoo (a dark ale), and Crimson Voodoo (a red ale) In 2005, the Dixie Brewery was severely damaged when Mid-City New Orleans flooded from the levee failure disaster during Hurricane Katrina. After the area was de-watered the brewery complex was looted with much of the equipment stolen. Despite early claims that the brewery would be restored, it remains off line as of December 2010 and the future of the facilities is uncertain. The brand remains in business, brewed under contract by breweries elsewhere. The building sits in the footprint of the new Department of Veterans Affairs hospital under construction in New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood. Dixie is currently contract brewed, though there are efforts to encourage local government support for the return of the Dixie Brewery.