After starting life in 2016 as a humble brewing operation and taproom, Crying Eagle Brewing Company recently laid the foundation for a $12-million brewery on the shore of Lake Charles that is set to open in the summer of 2025.
President Eric Avery recently told What Now New Orleans about the brewery’s long journey, which included many missteps and one galvanizing decision. Avery said his brewery made many early mistakes related to branding and brewing. A complete relaunch of Crying Eagle about 18 months after it opened resulted in an increase in business. It also led to extensive distribution of Crying Eagle beers, with some cans being distributed in New Orleans. However, over time, competition in the distribution space intensified, and Crying Eagle began to see drooping sales.
At the same time, the Lake Charles government was looking for a food and beverage concept to go with its $20-plus-million Port Wonder lakefront project, and Crying Eagle’s bid to place a location there was accepted in December 2019. After COVID hit in 2020, Avery decided to pull the plug on distribution and change Crying Eagle’s license to that for a microbrewery. The change allowed him to have a full liquor license and put his entire focus on the taproom.
“The move to convert my license paid tremendous dividends,” he said. “It was an all-in move, and it did everything that I thought it would do. Our taproom sales quadrupled compared to pre-pandemic levels. I lost a gross of $1 million in low-margin distribution sales, and replaced it with multi-million-dollar, high-margin taproom business.”
Flipping the switch on Crying Eagle’s license also led to the lakefront location becoming more ambitious. What was initially conceived at a satellite location was reimagined as a flagship restaurant.
“It has evolved into what I would easily consider one of the most interesting concepts in the state,” Avery said.
The 12,000-sq. foot, two-story location will have many key differences compared to the original Crying Eagle location, which is located near the McNeese State University campus. It will be seafood-heavy instead of focusing on Louisiana pub food. It will place more of a focus on lagers. It will offer table service, instead of the counter service at the original location. It will also forego the large stage and regular concerts held at the original.
Avery said the steel for the building’s frame was delivered this week and he expects construction to be done in May 2025. He was hopeful that the brewery would have a July 4th, 2025 opening date.
The flagship location will undoubtedly be a milestone of success in Crying Eagle’s long and winding journey. That being said, Avery stressed that he’s motivated by engaging with the community, and he hopes that the community continues to reciprocate by supporting local beer.
“This business was never opened to enrich myself or my family,” he mused. “This is what I consider my ministry. We are out to do great things for our community. We give away much more than we make.”
