Weekends involving local craft beer, fresh Gulf shrimp, and family are always marvelous in my book.

This past Saturday, Mark and I drove to Kiln, MS to visit the Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. We arrived just before noon and joined a small group of people for a walking tour of the operations and some tasty samples.

The facility is small and unassuming (and there’s no taproom, though there will be when the expansion is completed), but the employees were welcoming and excited about their craft and products.

Though their product has been available in Alabama for years, some of the beers we’d never tried before.

Southern Pecan is not something we regularly purchase, but it’s delicious—and apparently the first beer in the world brewed with whole roasted pecans. I actually prefer Southern Pecan to Abita Harvest Pecan—which is the only other pecan beer I’ve tasted.

We’ve had Indian Summer before, and I find it similar to Blue Moon. Wheat beers are perfect for the summertime, and the orange peel and coriander are a nice touch.

Southern Gold is new to us, but it was something I’d purchase. The local honey was a nice complement to the mild, golden ale—but I think I prefer the maltier brown ale, Truckstop Honey, from Alabama’s Back Forty Brewing.

I don’t typically enjoy dark, heavy beers, but Jefferson Stout is certainly something I’d keep in the beer fridge. It’s a bit lighter than others, and the chocolate/coffee flavors of the malt shine through well. Though brewed with lactose (and local sweet potatoes), I didn’t find it especially creamy.

Timber Beast is their high-gravity offering and something we’ve never had before. It tasted similar to Abita Andygator, though maybe with a more pronounced piney, citrusy hops flavor. Not a favorite, but I’d drink it again.

Our last sample was a seasonal offering that’s brewed with honeysuckle. It tasted a bit flat to me (though I’m not sure how long the sample had been sitting or if it was taken from a keg that was being filled), but I love the idea of using honeysuckle. It reminds me of my childhood when I would explore the trees behind my grammar school and taste the nectar from the vines growing along the fence.

Possibly the best part of the $10 tour was choosing our complimentary pint glasses to add to our massive collection!

After the tour, we drove to visit Grannie (and Mama Miele, who’d been visiting the past few days). She cooked a fantastic (as always) lunch of shrimp, boiled potatoes, corn, and carrots, and cucumber/tomato salad. The shrimp were freshly caught and perfectly cooked!

We drove along the beach and walked around downtown Bay St. Louis and a few shops. It’s so pretty there—I wish I’d taken some pictures.

After visiting a little while, we headed back home to be with Iggy on his birthday—and watch him devour his “pupcake.” 🙂

Apart from yoga in the morning and a bit of cleaning and doing laundry, we relaxed all day Sunday. I’m so excited to have a 3-day week before we visit Mama and Papa Miele again for the 4^th.

Hope everyone has a marvelous week! Be sure to stop by Healthy Diva Life and wish Katie “congratulations!” on her precious new addition to the family. Thanks for taking the time to share your news and host the #MIMM linkup.