There will be something new on tap at Cajun Field on Saturday for Ā鶹AVās first home football game of the season: Raginā Cajunsā¢ Genuine Louisiana Ale.
The 51¹ś²śŹÓʵās stadium is one of nine locations where the craft beer will initially be served. Raginā Cajunsā¢ Genuine Louisiana Ale is the result of a partnership between Bayou Teche Brewing and the University.
Ā鶹AV already has a successful beverage and food line that includes Raginā RedĀ®, a custom blend of seasonings; Raginā Cajuns Strong Championship Blend coffee, produced by Mello Joy; and the Raginā Cajun Burger, which is sold exclusively by local Sonic Drive-Ins.
āWe were looking for a product that would be suitable for tailgating before Louisiana Raginā Cajuns athletic events. A craft beer is the perfect fit,ā said Aaron Martin, director of the Universityās Office of Communications and Marketing. āThe aleās slogan is French, āƧa va mieux avec des amis,ā which means āIt goes better with friends.ā Thatās so appropriate because it reflects the hospitality of the Cajun and Creole cultures in Acadiana.ā
Raginā Cajunsā¢ Genuine Louisiana Ale is only available on tap now; a bottled version will be introduced in time for the Universityās 70th Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Karlos Knott, president of Bayou Teche Brewing, said it was inspired by a staple ingredient thatās grown in Louisiana: rice. Other ingredients are barley and multiple additions of German-grown, noble hops. The combination, he said, is āa magnificent balance of hop bitterness, taste and aroma.ā
Bayou Teche Brewingās flagship product is LA 31 BiĆØre PĆ¢le, a pale ale. Its beers are distributed throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and in New York.
Raginā Cajunsā¢ Genuine Louisiana Ale began flowing Thursday at seven local establishments:
ā¢ Mellow Mushroom on Johnston Street;
ā¢ Deanoās on Bertrand Drive;
ā¢ Legends on Bertrand Drive;
ā¢ Walk-Ons Bistreaux and Bar on Kaliste Saloom Road;
ā¢ The Tap Room in River Ranch;
ā¢ Pogieās Pour House in Carencro, Louisiana; and
ā¢ Fat Patās Bar and Grill on Westmark Boulevard.
It will also be poured Friday during Downtown Alive!, a popular music series in Lafayette. The beer will be sold at additional establishments in the next few weeks.
Martin said part of the proceeds of the new craft beerās sales will be used to support the Universityās academic, research and athletics programs.
Ā鶹AV has allowed beer to be sold during football games at Cajun Field since 2009. Today, more than 30 universities allow beer sales in their football stadiums.
Beer had been sold for many years at Ā鶹AV basketball and baseball games prior to 2009.
Raginā Cajunsā¢ Genuine Louisiana Ale will be sold by Schilling Distributing Company, the official beer distributor of Raginā CajunsĀ® Athletics.
Photo by Doug Dugas/Ā鶹AV