Burn ’Em Brewing brings bayou flavor to Michigan City with lively Crawfish Boil celebration

A fresh aroma and smoke filled the air as Burn ‘Em Brewing brought the heat to a lively crawfish boil on Sunday, April 26. Friends, families, and the entire community came together to crack shells, share laughs, and soak up the bold flavors of the South.

With long tables and beers, guests gathered in The Back Room for an afternoon that blended food, music, and community into one unforgettable experience. At the center of it all was Chef Blake Murray, who orchestrated the boil and captured the spirit and flavor of a true Southern feast.

“Already, our theme is a little Southern. We have a house-made Cajun seasoning that we put on almost everything. For our crawfish boil, we shipped 175 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana, and we’re boiling them live. We’re doing that in a little mix of our beers to tie it all together,” said Blake Murray.

Attendees were treated to an all-you-can-eat spread for just $65. Along with crawfish, guests could pile their plates with corn, potatoes, onions, and Andouille sausage. Other delicious sides included fried okra bites, cornbread muffins, and creamy mac and cheese.

Complementing the feast, Burn ‘Em Brewing had live music by the Good Times Dixie Crew and was tapping Taxicrab Confessions, Burn ’Em Brewing’s Old Bay pale ale. This was crafted to pair perfectly with the array of foods, giving guests a refreshing way to wash down each bite while leaning into the event’s Southern theme.

“For the crawfish boil, we brewed a specific beer that goes well with our food. It has Old Bay in it and is pale and a little hoppy. The Old Bay is very subtle, but it pairs really well with the nice spice of the crawfish,” said Murray. “I’d say any of our light lagers or slightly hoppy pale ales or IPAs go well with Southern cuisine.”

While this event created memorable meals for everyone, the crawfish boil is a communal experience that can bring the community together. Whether someone had a messy or a clean plate, the experience gave people a chance to network with their neighbors.

For many years, Burn ‘Em Brewing has centered its mission on creating a laid-back, welcoming environment in Michigan City. The focus on creative, locally sourced, small-batched brewing and food made from scratch is what makes this business so unique. Events like the crawfish boil check all the boxes of Burn ‘Em Brewing’s desire to make that happen for its customers.

“The crawfish boil has been one of my favorites, and we just started it last year,” said Murray. “It’s a great time. It’s more food-focused; we’re going to be working on doing more of that. We’ve always been tied to food, beer, and music, which all flows nicely together. Our goal is to bring more of that to the community and keep doing stuff like this.”

At the end of the event, the tables told the story. This was a feast that attendees were salivating over all afternoon long. Blending craft beers, creative food experiences, and live entertainment for a multi-hour weekend celebration – Burn ‘Em Brewing is all about giving as much as they can to their local customers.

“I love this event; it’s really nice. The vibe is nice, and everyone is so friendly. From the chef to the cameraman, everybody was just great,” said attendee Vanessa Liggins.

For more information on Burn ‘Em Brewing, you can visit burnembrewing.com.