Gettin’ Groggy in Mobile, AL

Mardi Gras in Mobile… YAH man! We had a blast in Alabama’s port city for three days of parades and breweries. Downtown Mobile isn’t very big so you can easily hit all four of their breweries in one day. The original location of Mardi Gras, Mobile is a smaller and more family oriented venue to experience the parades and celebrations before heading to the bigger and more adult Mardi Gras venue in New Orleans. This year (2024) Mardi Gras took place between January 6 ( which starts 12 days after Christmas) and February 13 (Fat Tuesday, which is the last day of celebration before Ash Wednesday). The date and length of Mardi Gras is different every year and in conjunction with the changing date of Easter.

MOBILE PARADES – Mystic Stripers Society and Crewe of Columbus

MOBILE DOWNTOWN

MOBILE BREWERIES

LoDa Bier Garten – This fine establishment is located on Dauphin Street with a huge variety of beers and some good eats… this is a central meeting hub in downtown Mobile and a great place to hit before the evening Mardi Gras parades just a few blocks away on Government Street. With over 100 beers on draft, they really do love beer… alot!

Oyster City Brewing Company – started in 2012 out of Apalachicola, Florida (Apalachicola! GREAT name!) The Oyster City in Mobile is located on the Government Street parade route and their patio is THE perfect place to watch Mardi Gras parades (they have parking for $20, restrooms and a couple good food trucks) so needless to say, we spent alot of time at OCBC!! Great beer, we tried them all. Fun atmosphere… but I must highly question “turkey neck and rice” as a dining option (must be a southern thing)!

Braided River Brewing Company – a name derived from the “braiding” of many rivers to form the Tensaw River Delta in Mobile, Alabama. The BRBC brewers believe “We’re in this together” and take their sustainability effort seriously through the use of solar energy, plastic reduction and water conservation. Nice neighborhood location and super nice brewtender (who let us come in before the doors actually opened and try their great beers). BRAVO BRBC!!

Iron Hand Brewing – Mobile’s oldest brewery located in a converted Baptist Church in the quaint Detonti Square Historic District. Give me an old style British brewpub any day, this was one of my favs because I got to enjoy two of my favorite things; delicious bangers & mash and an excellent barrel aged stout (Dragon Stout). They also have homebrewed wine, cider and mead… Hallelujah!

ORANGE BEACH – We stayed on the beautiful Gulf Shores for a couple days during Mardi Gras in February before heading to New Orleans. Many small towns around Mobile, Alabama celebrate Mardi Gras and you cannot possibly see them all so staying in a town with a nice beach is a great choice. Orange Beach has only one brewery so off we go… One Day, One Parade, One Brewery!

Big Beach Brewing Company – you feel like your on vacation at this low key beach vibe brewery that serves a range of FRESH beer straight from their on site 10 barrel system. This is another great story about a local guy who started the first (and only) craft brewery in his home town from his basement Mr. Beer brewery kit! Check out the Shamburger Family story, what’s on tap at BBBC and live music schedule at Big Beach Brewing Company | Gulf Shores, AL

ORANGE BEACH PARADE – Mystics of Pleasure

NEXT STOP… New Orleans!!