Ep 1. New Orleans

In the first episode of season 3 of BEERLAND, host Meg Gill travels to New Orleans in search of the city's best local brews. New Orleans has a rich history of beer-making, with many breweries having been forced to close due to Prohibition and Hurricane Katrina. Despite these setbacks, the city has seen a resurgence in craft beer over the past decade.

Gill meets with several local brewers, each with their own unique take on beer-making. First up is the team behind Urban South Brewery, who specialize in hazy IPAs and experimental fruit beers. Gill samples their flagship beer, the Holy Roller IPA, which features a blend of hops from around the world.

Next, Gill visits Parish Brewing Company, located about two hours outside of New Orleans. Parish is known for their Ghost in the Machine double IPA and their Canebrake wheat ale. Founder Andrew Godley explains the challenges of running a brewery so far from a major city center, but believes that it allows Parish to focus on creating high-quality beers without the distractions of the city.

Gill then visits Wayward Owl Brewing Company, which opened in 2016 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city's brewing industry. Wayward Owl specializes in traditional German-style beers, including hefeweizens and pilsners. Gill tries their peppermint patty stout, which is brewed with peppermint tea and chocolate nibs.

The final stop on Gill's New Orleans beer tour is NOLA Brewing Company, which was founded in 2009 and has become one of the city's most well-known breweries. NOLA's flagship beer is the NOLA Blonde, a light and refreshing ale that they describe as "New Orleans in a glass." Gill tries their Funk Series of sour beers, which are aged in wine barrels and brewed with local fruit.

Throughout the episode, Gill learns about the challenges of brewing in a city with such a rich history, but also the rewards of creating unique and delicious beers. She also gets to explore New Orleans' vibrant food and music scene, including a visit to the famous Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee.

Overall, BEERLAND season 3 episode 1 is a celebration of the craft beer renaissance happening in New Orleans, and a tribute to the hardworking brewers who are keeping the city's beer-making traditions alive.