re: Baton Rouge Market for a Craft Brewery

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Louisiana in general is a ripe market to expand local craft beer. Our regulations are a killer on small start up breweries, though. But once you get past that, you are golden. I think of it this way, every bud/miller/coors drinker is a potential craft beer drinker, they just don't know it yet.

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Not only that, but the politicians enforcing them. Two Mayor/president candidates both have had a hand in stifiling the industry. Smokey on the alcohol board typically tries to hassle new-comers to the overpass area to keep them from competing with his bar, George's. Delgado, who took Smokey's seat on the metro council, uses his influence to stifle competition downtown as he owns at least a partial stake in most of the 3rd street bars (Huey's, City Bar, Club 19whatever, ect) as well as the Brickyard South.

I have heard from several people who have tried to open up music venues, restaurants, or bars all having trouble with permits being held up by these two characters.