Page 91 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2026

visitor guide, social media channels, media outreach, and regional
PR efforts. When breweries host festivals, collaborations, or special tastings, they work to amplify those opportunities to both visitors and locals through earned and social media.
“Breweries complement the larger story of Coastal Mississippi, where food, music, and culture are central to the visitor experience,” Young said. “Many of our breweries host live entertainment, food trucks, and community gatherings, which aligns perfectly with the relaxed, social atmosphere people expect when they visit the Gulf Coast.”
Chandeleur Island Brewing Company began nine years ago
and takes its name from the off- shore island that’s a popular fishing spot. General Manager Gina Prater
says things are going well at the brewery owned by Kam and Cain Roberds. They have exciting news
for Pascagoula where Chandy Depot opens this month in the restored train depot.
Located in downtown Gulfport, Chandeleur Island Brewing participates in the Brewery Pass, leads tours and hosts frequent events for non profits. “On Tuesdays we give back to special causes where a part of the tab goes to a certain charity.
It changes each month,” Prater said. “We have Blue Hope when everyone dons blue for colorectal cancer. We even have some blue dresses for sale here.”
The April non profit was Embrace Abilities for children on the spectrum. May will benefit the Gulfport Junior Auxiliary when there will be Mahjong games and lessons.
Fly Llama Brewing was founded by David and Kara Reese and launched operations in 2020. Brewmaster David Reese is one of only 29 Master Cicerones in the world.
“We brew a variety of craft beers, including our flagship lagers, specialty brews, and an array of popular hard seltzers,” Kara Reese said. “We offer 32 house-made brews in the taproom located in downtown Biloxi.”
Fly Llama hosts the annual Llampalooza Music & Street Festival, which will take place this year on Saturday, October 24. “We offer private brewery tours for groups
booked in advance. Additionally, we host popular weekly events like Taco Tuesday, Vinyl Night Wednesday,Wing Night Thursday and First Friday Block Party monthly. Their products are available at bars and restaurants through their distributor partners throughout the states of Mississippi and Alabama.
“We are very proud of our rapidly expanding distribution and the superior quality of our hard seltzers compared to other brands on the shelf,” Reese said. “We also feature Hungry Llama, an on-site kitchen known for its signature smash burgers and smoked wings.”
Tourism’s Young adds, “One
of the things that makes Coastal Mississippi special is how locally driven our tourism experiences are. Our breweries, like our attractions, hotels, and restaurants are owned and operated by passionate people who love this place and want
to share it with
others.”
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