The new RaginӰר CajunsTM Genuine Louisiana Lager is now available in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles.
The smooth cerveza-style beer was introduced on tap at Cajun Field on Sept. 3 for the first football game of the 2016 season. It went onto store shelves in bottles in late November.
The Creole-inspired brew uses BernardӰרs Honey, which is produced at BernardӰרs Apiaries in Breaux Bridge, La.
The lager is the second beer produced through a partnership between the Ӱר and Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville, La. Last year, RaginӰר Cajuns™ Genuine Louisiana Ale was introduced; Louisiana rice is one of its ingredients.
ӰרRetailer response to the lager is strong,Ӱר said Kody Thompson, marketing manager for Schilling Distributing Company Inc., the official beer distributor of RaginӰר Cajuns Athletics. He estimated that 70 percent of the retailers in SchillingӰרs six-parish distribution area that stock Genuine Louisiana Ale also sell the new lager.
Both craft beers are sold on tap at the Cajundome during Louisiana RaginӰר Cajuns basketball games.
The easiest way to determine where the Genuine Louisiana brews are sold is through Schilling DistributingӰרs exclusive LiquidFinder smartphone app. The app is available for download at the App Store and Google Play.
ӰרItӰרs free. Go to the app and search ӰרRagin,Ӱר Ӱר Thompson said.
Most craft beers are either an ale or a lager, according to Karlos Knott, president of Bayou Teche Brewing. Both beers are intended to complement food.
ӰרWhen you think of lager, you think of drinking it with something spicy,Ӱר Knott said.
He describes the new Genuine Louisiana Lager as a Ӱרfun, easy-drinking beer. Anyone who drinks a Mexican lager will recognize this beer. ItӰרs a beer that doesnӰרt take itself too seriously.Ӱר
The yeast used to brew lager is different than the yeast used to produce ale.
ӰרAlso, a lager ferments a lot colder, so itӰרs a lot crisper, a lot easier to drink. It allows the ingredients to shine more than an ale,Ӱר Knott said.
RaginӰר Cajuns™ Genuine Louisiana Lager and RaginӰר Cajuns™ Genuine Louisiana Ale are both licensed through Collegiate Licensing Company.
Some of the proceeds from the craft beer sales are used to support the ӰרӰרs academic, research and athletics programs.