Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company

Mississippi didn't legalize homebrewing until 2013 — one of the last states to do so. That's the context in which Mark and Leslie Henderson founded Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. Leslie entered brewing school in July 2003 and apprenticed at Crescent City Brewhouse in the spring of 2004. In September 2004, the Hendersons secured a building in Kiln, Brett Favre's hometown. Equipment arrived in October. By December, the company was fully operational. The first batch brewed in January 2005. The first kegs hit Gulf Coast bars and restaurants in March. In September 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the couple's home and briefly shut down operations. By October, the brewery had resumed. The flagship is Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale, brewed with roasted pecans — the signature beer of the Gulf Coast. By early 2007, Lazy Magnolia was selling kegs across Mississippi. Bottled beer launched in December 2007. The company has since brewed more than ninety types of beer. The taproom in Pass Christian runs a family-friendly operation with food trucks and live music on weekends. Check lazymagnolia.com for hours.