All About Urban South Brewery

Urban South Brewery, New Orleans' largest brewery by volume, made waves in December 2023 with the launch of their innovative Driftee line of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverages. Founded in 2016 by LSU alumni Jacob Landry and Kyle Huling, this craft beverage powerhouse combines European beer-making heritage with modern American innovation to create guilt-free, hangover-free alternatives to alcohol. Their THC portfolio features two distinct lines: Driftee, offering zero-calorie sparkling water with 5mg THC and natural fruit flavors, and Stratus, crafted with real fruit juices in both 5mg and 10mg potencies. Based in the heart of New Orleans at their Tchoupitoulas Street facility, Urban South has quickly expanded from craft beer excellence to become a trailblazer in Louisiana's emerging THC beverage scene. As hemp-derived Delta-9 products compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill, their THC seltzers are federally legal and distributed through a partnership with Wines Unlimited, making them widely accessible across Louisiana and beyond.

Products Overview

Urban South offers two distinct THC seltzer lines designed for different preferences and occasions. The Driftee line delivers a guilt-free experience with zero calories, carbs, and sugar, featuring 5mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC in refreshing fruit and herbal blends. For those seeking bolder flavors, the Stratus line incorporates real fruit juices and offers both standard 5mg and higher 10mg potency options. All products come in convenient 12oz cans, providing a familiar format for consumers transitioning from traditional beverages.

Other Products by Urban South Brewery

Urban South Brewery built its reputation on exceptional craft beers before entering the THC market. Their core beer portfolio includes Holy Roller (Hazy Juicy IPA), Lime Cucumber Gose, and Mardi Gras Pils, which established them as New Orleans' largest brewery by volume. These traditional offerings showcase their brewing expertise that now extends into their innovative THC beverage lines.

Background

Urban South Brewery emerged from the vision of two LSU alumni who wanted to create something special in New Orleans. Jacob Landry (class of 2006) and Kyle Huling (class of 2005) met in the Crescent City after graduation and opened their production facility and taproom on Tchoupitoulas Street in early 2016. Their mission was to combine the heritage of European beer-making with the brashness of new American styles, quickly establishing Urban South as the largest brewery by volume in New Orleans and the second-largest in Louisiana. The brewery's success led to expansion with taprooms in both New Orleans and Houston, plus distribution across Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida. In December 2023, Urban South took a bold step into the emerging THC beverage market with Driftee, positioning themselves as trailblazers in Louisiana's craft beverage scene and demonstrating their commitment to innovation beyond traditional brewing.

Quick Facts About Urban South Brewery

Values

• Innovation: Pioneering THC seltzers in Louisiana's craft beverage market
• Quality: Lab-tested products using locally sourced hemp for freshness and purity
• Health-Conscious: Guilt-free alternatives with zero calories, carbs, and sugar options
• Accessibility: Broad distribution through strategic partnerships like Wines Unlimited
• Heritage: Combining Southern roots with modern brewing techniques and innovation

Reviews

As a relatively new entrant to the THC beverage market with their December 2023 launch, Urban South's Driftee and Stratus lines are still building their consumer review base. The brand markets Driftee as "light and refreshing" with "a hint of fruit and herbal blends," positioning it as a guilt-free alternative for health-conscious consumers seeking different potency options. The Stratus line promises a "bold punch of real fruit flavor" for those who prefer more robust taste profiles. Early marketing emphasizes these as hangover-free alternatives to alcohol that leave consumers "feeling refreshed and ready for your next adventure."

• "Zero calories, carbs, and sugar in Driftee line appeals to health-conscious consumers"
• "Real fruit juice in Stratus line offers more robust flavor profiles"

Promotions & Coupon Codes

New customers can receive 15% off their first purchase using code THCMAIL15 on the sipintheclouds.com website.

Where to Buy Urban South Brewery

Urban South's THC beverages are available at Total Wine & More locations, Martin's Wine stores throughout Louisiana, and directly through their e-commerce site sipintheclouds.com. Distribution is managed through a partnership with Wines Unlimited, making the products widely accessible in Louisiana and expanding markets. The brewery's existing distribution network covers Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida. Looking for similar THC seltzers? Browse our curated selection of hemp-derived beverages from verified retailers at buythcdrinks.com.

Quality & Testing

Urban South emphasizes rigorous quality control throughout their THC beverage production process. Every batch undergoes comprehensive lab testing to ensure quality and consistency, verifying that potency and purity match label claims. The brewery sources hemp locally, supporting Louisiana agriculture while maintaining freshness and quality standards. This commitment to transparency extends to their testing processes, where they ensure each product meets strict quality benchmarks before reaching consumers. Their experience as Louisiana's largest brewery by volume brings established quality control protocols to their THC beverage production. THC beverages may cause intoxication; do not drive or operate machinery.

Ingredients

Urban South takes a clean approach to their THC seltzer formulations. Driftee products feature hemp-derived Delta-9 THC in carbonated water enhanced with natural flavors and herbal blends, maintaining their zero-calorie, zero-carb, and zero-sugar promise. The Stratus line elevates the flavor experience by incorporating real fruit juices alongside the hemp-derived THC, creating more robust taste profiles while still avoiding artificial sweeteners. All products prioritize naturally sourced ingredients, reflecting the brand's commitment to quality and transparency in their formulations.

Recalls or Safety Issues

No recalls or regulatory actions reported as of 2025.

Events

Urban South Brewery hosts regular events at their New Orleans taproom including puzzle nights and football season viewing parties. Specific THC product launch events have not been documented.

PR & Media

Urban South's entry into the THC beverage market generated significant media attention across the craft beverage industry. Major publications including The Brewer Magazine, Brewbound, Beer Connoisseur, Craft Brewing Business, and Biz New Orleans covered the December 2023 Driftee launch, highlighting it as Louisiana's newest THC seltzer and a groundbreaking innovation in the state's craft beverage landscape. The coverage emphasized Urban South's position as a trailblazer, leveraging their established brewing expertise to enter the emerging hemp-derived beverage market. Prior to their THC venture, the company was recognized as one of the fastest-growing businesses by LSU 100, demonstrating their track record of successful expansion and innovation in the beverage industry.

Social Media

Company Details

Related THC Beverage Brands

Consumers interested in Urban South Brewery's THC offerings often also consider Cann, Cycling Frog, and Wynk for similar hemp-derived seltzer options. These brands offer complementary flavor profiles and potency levels in the emerging Louisiana THC beverage market. Browse our full selection of THC seltzers to compare products side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban South Brewery

How much THC is in Urban South's products?

Urban South offers two potency levels across their THC seltzer lines. The Driftee line and standard Stratus products contain 5mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC per 12oz can, ideal for beginners or social sessions. For more experienced consumers, Stratus also offers 10mg options in Electric Melon and Peaches 'N Cream flavors, providing a stronger effect in the same convenient format.

What's the difference between Driftee and Stratus?

Driftee is Urban South's zero-calorie, zero-carb, and zero-sugar option featuring light, refreshing flavors with hints of fruit and herbal blends. Stratus takes a different approach by incorporating real fruit juices for bolder, more robust flavor profiles. While Driftee appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking guilt-free options, Stratus caters to those who prioritize taste intensity and offers both 5mg and 10mg potencies.

How long do effects take to kick in?

While Urban South hasn't published specific onset time claims, hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverages typically begin working within 15-45 minutes of consumption. Effects may vary based on individual metabolism, whether you've eaten recently, and your tolerance to THC. As with all functional THC beverages, start with one serving and wait at least an hour before consuming more.

Are Urban South's THC products legal?

Yes, Urban South's THC seltzers are federally compliant under the 2018 Farm Bill as they contain hemp-derived Delta-9 THC. These products maintain legal compliance while offering the desired effects. However, state and local regulations vary, so always check your local laws before purchasing or consuming THC beverages.

Last Updated

Last Updated: September 11, 2025

Sources

• Urban South Brewery — 2025-09-08 — Urban South Brewery
• Urban South Infused Shop — 2025-09-08 — Urban South Infused
• The Brewer Magazine — 2023-12-06 — The Brewer Magazine
• Brewbound — 2023-12-12 — Brewbound
• Beer Connoisseur — 2023-12-06 — Beer Connoisseur
• My New Orleans — n.d. — My New Orleans
• Explore Louisiana — n.d. — Louisiana Travel
• Total Wine & More — n.d. — Total Wine
• Martin's Wine — n.d. — Martin's Wine
• Biz New Orleans — 2023-12-07 — Biz New Orleans
• Urban South Facebook — n.d. — Facebook