Tucked into the pine trees of Abita Springs, the Abita Brewing Co. has opened up what they hope will become a real tourist attraction.

Wednesday afternoon, the brewery officially opened up its new Visitor’s Center and announced that tours of the world-famous brewery are available to tourists and local residents.

Located next to the brewery on Louisiana Highway 36, the visitor’s center looks like a building in the French Quarter, complete with wrought-iron balconies and a courtyard with a fountain and gas lights.

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“The brewery has been open for 22 years. Our product has become famous worldwide, and we felt it was time we showcased our product to people,” Abita Brewing Co. President Davis Blossman said.

Inside the center is a wood-lined tavern with a 24-foot mahogany bar. Behind the bar are taps for all the different varieties of beer that Abita Brewing produces.

Before the tour began for the invited guests at the opening, Brew Master Mark Wilson explained a little about the brewing process. He said the brewery puts out lagers and ales, which are distinguished by the types of yeast used, and the temperatures at which they are brewed. But Wilson said the real ingredient that makes Abita Beer unique and famous is the water. The Abita springs provide water that is perfect for brewing beer, explained Wilson.

“That’s our secret ingredient,” Wilson said.

Tours of the brewery will be held Wednesday through Saturday. The tours will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There are three daily tours on Saturday at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.

Blossman said he wants to bring back the excitement of beer making to the area. He said New Orleans used to be the beer brewing capital of the South, and he wants to bring that back to the area. He thinks the brewery tours will excite tourists and residents alike.

“If people get a chance to see the passion and drive we put into our work, they will want to keep us going,” Blossman said.