Parish Brewing Co. has a way of stopping hop lovers in their tracks. Based in Broussard, Louisiana, the brewery’s flagship Ghost in the Machine—a juicy double IPA—has become a national benchmark for saturated hop aroma and clean, modern execution. But there’s more here than one famed can. Parish has built a hop-forward portfolio that keeps pushing flavor boundaries while staying disciplined in process and quality. If you’re plotting a Gulf Coast beer trip—or you’re a local looking to get the most from your next visit—this spotlight lays out what to drink, how to pair it, and how to plan a smooth stop at the brewery.
- Address: 229 Jared Dr, Broussard, LA 70518
- Website: https://parishbeer.com/
What You’ll Learn
- Why Ghost in the Machine became a touchstone for juicy, modern double IPAs
- How Parish uses hop selection, timing, and fresh cold-chain logistics to protect aroma and balance
- What other hop-forward beers to seek out (plus crisp lagers and dark seasonals when they appear)
- How the taproom feels, what food options match the beer, and how to plan your visit
- Local flavor tips to turn your Broussard/Lafayette stop into a full day
Parish Brewing’s Impact on Craft Beer
Parish earned national acclaim by proving that big hop flavor can stay clean, balanced, and repeatable. Ghost in the Machine helped teach drinkers to look for soft mouthfeel, high hop oil saturation, and a dry finish that keeps you coming back. The brewery’s approach—precision fermentation, oxygen control, and quick-to-fridge distribution—has made it a model for how to scale modern hop aroma without slipping into muddiness or excess sweetness.
Why that matters:
- Benchmark quality: Ghost is a yardstick for hazy/hop-saturated double IPAs. Across festivals, blind panels, and enthusiast lists, it shows up as a reference point for clarity of flavor and balance.
- Freshness culture: Parish champions cold storage and clear dating, training drinkers to chase fresh cans and preserve hop brightness.
- Regional leadership: From Broussard, Parish helped put South Louisiana on the national beer map alongside its food and music scenes.
Bottom line: People travel for this beer, and locals treat new drops like small holidays.
The Beer: Ghost in the Machine and the Hop-Forward Bench
Ghost in the Machine (Double IPA): A Juicy Icon
Ghost in the Machine delivers saturated citrus and tropical fruit aroma—think mango, pineapple, orange zest—supported by a soft, pale malt base. It’s lush without getting sticky, thanks to fermentation control and a finish that stays trim.
What to notice:
- Aroma: dense layers of tropical fruit and citrus peel, minimal grassy edges
- Body: pillowy, with tight carbonation to keep it lively
- Finish: clean and dry enough to invite a second sip
Why it works:
- Heavy late and dry-hop additions pack aroma without spiking harsh bitterness.
- Attenuation and water chemistry create softness while protecting a crisp exit.
- Cold-chain discipline preserves volatile hop compounds from tank to glass.
Pairing ideas:
- Spicy shrimp po’boy with pickles and remoulade
- Blackened fish tacos with lime crema
- Fried chicken sandwich—acid and hop oil cut through crunch and fat
Hazy IPAs and Rotating Hop Projects
Parish’s board often features hazy and modern IPAs that showcase different hop varieties and harvests. Expect aromatic profiles that range from tangerine and stone fruit to passion fruit and pine, with measured bitterness and dry finishes. Single-hop showcases and small-batch pilots let you taste how a hop’s oil profile changes with format and timing.
Look for:
- Variants or limited runs that tweak hop combos while keeping the same soft-but-dry landing
- Fresh can drops on weekends—ask staff what’s “just canned” for peak aroma
Pair with:
- Boudin balls with a citrusy aioli
- Charred veggie flatbreads or margherita pizza
- Jerk wings—grapefruit-pine notes stand up to heat and spice
West Coast-Leaning IPAs and Pale Ales
When a crisper, clearer hop expression appears, expect grapefruit, orange pith, and resin over a lean malt frame. Bitterness is firmer than in hazies but stays clean, serving as a palate reset between richer bites.
Pair with:
- Pepperoni pizza or Italian subs
- Grilled Gulf shrimp with lemon herb butter
Crisp Lagers and Pilsners (When On)
A vibrant hop lineup is best appreciated with a clean calibrator. Parish’s lagers, when available, show process discipline—bright clarity, sturdy foam, and noble-leaning snap. They’re perfect between aromatic pours or as your opening round.
Pair with:
- Pretzel and mustard, oyster plates, or fried catfish
- Caesar salad with extra lemon
Dark Beers and Seasonals
While hops headline, Parish also releases dark seasonals and occasional high-gravity specials. Expect cocoa, coffee, and vanilla accents with a structured finish—rich but not cloying.
Pair with:
- Smoked brisket sliders
- Chocolate torte or pecan pie
How Parish Builds Big Flavor With Structure
- Fermentation control: Healthy yeast and tight temperature schedules keep esters in check so hop aroma reads as fruit, not solvent.
- Hop strategy with intent: Heavy late-kettle and dry-hop additions maximize juicy aromatics while bitterness supports rather than punishes.
- Lean grists and attenuation: Drier finishes prevent palate fatigue and make the beers food-friendly.
- Oxygen control and cold-chain: From transfer to canning to distribution, oxygen pickup is minimized, and beer stays cold to protect delicate hop oils.
Result: expressive, modern beers that feel vivid in the nose, crisp on the palate, and balanced at the finish.
Build a Smart Flight
To taste the Parish house style, go clean to bold:
1) Pilsner or Lager (calibrate: clarity, foam, mineral snap)
2) Pale Ale or West Coast-leaning IPA (citrus-pine on a lean base)
3) Hazy IPA (juicy aroma, compare bitterness and finish)
4) Ghost in the Machine (double IPA benchmark—note hop density vs. dryness)
5) Seasonal Dark or Sour (contrast with cocoa depth or acidity)
Flight tips:
- Sip water and, if possible, add a mini lager taster between aromatic pours to reset your palate.
- If two IPAs share a base but swap hops, taste side-by-side to feel each variety’s impact.
Taproom Atmosphere: South Louisiana Energy, Beer-First Flow
The Broussard taproom blends modern craft design with Acadiana warmth. You’ll likely find a mix of locals, road-trippers, and beer tourists on a pilgrimage for Ghost or a fresh can release.
What it feels like:
- Pace: Lively but conversational—easy to talk hops with the staff and compare pours at your table
- Service: Fast, pairing-savvy, and happy to translate “juicy but not sweet” or “citrusy and dry” into the right pick
- Seating: Bar rails for solo tasters, communal tables for groups, and seasonal patio vibes when the weather cooperates
Events and drops:
- Limited can releases and small-batch tappings move quickly on weekends—arrive early for best selection
- Follow Parish channels for release calendars and purchase limits on special runs
Family and dog notes:
- Policies can vary by area and season—check the website for current guidance on minors and pets.
Food: Pairing Parish Beer With Gulf Coast Flavor
You’ll find rotating food partners, local pop-ups, or guidance to nearby eats that play well with hop-forward beer. In Acadiana, the food leans bold—spice, smoke, and rich seafood—which pairs beautifully with Parish’s crisp finishes and citrus-forward hop expression.
Great pairings:
- Ghost in the Machine + spicy crawfish boil or boudin bites: Juicy hops refresh the palate between spice and salt
- Hazy IPA + blackened redfish tacos with lime crema: Citrus-tropical aroma embraces char and acid
- West Coast IPA + andouille pizza or grilled oysters: Bitterness meets fat, smoke, and brine
- Lager + fried catfish or shrimp po’boy: Carbonation and noble snap cut fry oil and salt
- Dark seasonal + bread pudding or chocolate pecan pie: Cocoa and oak meet caramel and spice
Pro tip:
- Salt amplifies bitterness. If your plate leans salty—boils, fries—start with a lager, pale, or juicy IPA before the firmest-bitter option.
Local Flavor: Make It a Broussard/Lafayette Day
Acadiana is a gift for anyone who loves food, music, and time outdoors. Build a loop around your Parish visit.
Ideas:
- Eat local: Hit a po’boy shop or boudin stop before your flight—juicy hops shine with char and spice.
- Music and markets: Check Lafayette’s live music calendars and farmers markets; plan your brewery stop between sets.
- Trails and bayous: Walk a nature loop, then cool down with a crisp lager and a snack at the taproom.
- Take it to the patio: If the weather’s friendly, grab cans for your rental or picnic; keep them cold to protect hop aroma.
Logistics:
- Weekends and release days fill fast—arrive early for seating and can selection.
- Rideshare availability is decent in the Lafayette area, but always plan a designated driver if you’re brewery-hopping.
Practical Planning
- Address: 229 Jared Dr, Broussard, LA 70518
- Website: https://parishbeer.com/
- Best times: Weekday afternoons for relaxed flights and staff conversations; early evenings and weekends for full energy
- Tours: Availability can vary—check the site or call ahead for any special experiences
- To-go beer: Expect fresh Ghost in the Machine when available, rotating hazies, and seasonal specialties; purchase limits may apply on drops
- Freshness: Check can dates; vibrant hop aroma peaks within weeks when cold-stored
- Keep it cold: Bring an insulated bag—heat mutes hop aroma and softens carbonation
- Merch: Iconic label art, glassware tuned to hazies and lagers, and limited-release prints
Why Beer Travelers Should Visit Parish Brewing Co.
- A true hop benchmark: Ghost in the Machine shows how saturated aroma and a dry finish can live together in a double IPA.
- Consistency with excitement: Rotating hop projects keep the board fresh without losing balance.
- Process excellence: Fermentation discipline and cold-chain commitment protect what hop fans care about most—aroma and snap.
- Sense of place: South Louisiana hospitality and flavor make the visit bigger than a beer run.
Conclusion: Plan Your Visit to Parish Brewing
Set your route to 229 Jared Dr in Broussard and check parishbeer.com for current taps, can drops, hours, and any tour info. Start with a crisp lager or pale ale to calibrate, then make Ghost in the Machine your hop benchmark. Add a rotating hazy or West Coast-leaning IPA to compare aroma and finish, and pair your pours with something charred, spicy, or bright with citrus. Bring a cooler for to-go cans, ask the bar team what’s freshest, and leave time to explore Acadiana’s food and music. Parish Brewing Co. proves you can push hop flavor to the limit and still land clean—one reason it remains a must-stop in the American craft beer landscape.
