By Lola Magazine | Photography Courtesy of Flying Heart Brewing
Some of the best ideas begin around a backyard fire pit. A few friends, a little conversation, perhaps a cold beer or two, and somebody says, “You know what we ought to do?”
Ben Pattillo, Jeff Judge, and Ben Hart
For Ben Hart, Ben Pattillo, and Jeff Judge, that conversation became Flying Heart Brewing & Pub. Eleven years later, their dream has grown into a Louisiana favorite, with locations in Bossier City, West Monroe, and Natchitoches—and another coming to Benton in early 2027. But Flying Heart was never really about building a brewery empire. It was about creating a place where people wanted to spend time together. And apparently, they were onto something.
It takes imagination to look at an old fire station and envision a brewery. Fortunately, these three had plenty. Pattillo, then a city engineer working in the water industry, knew Bossier City’s water was well suited for brewing. When the former Fire Station No. 6 became available, the partners saw potential.
Their original vision was a production brewery distributing beer throughout Louisiana and beyond. But as the neighborhood developed into an entertainment district, their plans evolved. Flying Heart became the first Louisiana brewery to transition from a production brewery to a brewpub, according to the owners. By 2018, pizza, wine, and cocktails had joined the lineup. As Hart explains, they finally discovered “who and what we were intended to be all along.”
No two Flying Heart locations look alike, yet each feels unmistakably familiar. The original Bossier City firehouse evolved almost constantly. The bar moved, seating expanded, and a beer garden appeared. Regulars would return wondering what had changed since their last visit. West Monroe offered the opportunity to build from the ground up, while Natchitoches brought new life to an old cotton gin with soaring ceilings.
The common thread? Distressed wood, handcrafted furnishings, and plenty of personality “To this day, we still build every single one of our own tables,” Hart explains. “We build our own bars!” When the new Benton location opens, expect more of that familiar charm, with a personality all its own. Different buildings. Different communities. One unmistakable Flying Heart.
When Flying Heart opened, entertaining children wasn’t exactly part of the business plan. Then came pizza. By 2018, the partners realized that becoming family-friendly—and pet-friendly—opened the doors to an entirely new crowd. Kids could enjoy pizza and house-brewed root beer while parents relaxed with craft beer or cocktails. Add seasonal pizzas, creative desserts, and hands-on activities, and suddenly everyone had a reason to visit.
Flying Heart even partnered with Sci-Port for a root beer class, brewing a small batch in the beer garden while teaching families how to make their own. Imagine that—a brewery where the kids beg their parents to go!
The partners’ personalities are as different as their favorite beers. Hart prefers Black Heart, the beer that helped convince the trio they could brew professionally. Pattillo favors Firehouse Blonde, giving Hart endless opportunities for teasing. “I always give Ben Pattillo a hard time because he likes to pair his Firehouse Blonde with a salad,” Hart laughs.
And then there’s Jeff Judge, affectionately known as Jeffro, the inventive mind behind Flying Heart’s pizzas. Predicting his next creation, or favorite beer, is anyone’s guess. Want to know which pizzas the partners prefer? Check the little key on the menu identifying their favorites.
Behind the laughter, creativity, and occasional chaos lies the real Flying Heart story. “This whole thing was conceived sitting around a fire pit in my backyard,” Hart recalls. Their goal was to recreate that atmosphere—a community backyard where friends could gather, conversations could linger, and nobody felt hurried. “When you come to Flying Heart, you’re never gonna be rushed,” he explains.
The owners still enjoy visiting with guests, spending time together, and sharing the place they’ve created. And isn’t that what the holidays are really about? Gathering doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all you need is something delicious, a little laughter, and time to enjoy the people around you.
Eleven years ago, three friends dreamed about a brewery around a backyard fire pit. Today, they’ve created a much bigger backyard—and everyone’s invited. Pull up a chair, raise a glass, and stay a while. After all, that’s exactly what Flying Heart was built for.
Beer School: Class Is in Session!
Here’s something you might not know. You’ve probably been drinking some of your beer at the wrong temperature! According to Pattillo, lighter beers are best served cold, while darker varieties often reveal more flavor closer to 50 degrees. Who knew?
And for those who insist they don’t like beer, Hart has a theory. “You haven’t had the right beer for you yet, so just keep trying.”
Consider Flying Heart’s popular Strawberry Shandy, inspired by the German Radler tradition of combining beer with lemonade or fruit juice. The partners eventually developed their own strawberry concoction, creating a sweeter brew that remains a favorite.
Brewing, however, involves considerably more than mixing ingredients. Water quality, grains, hops, and seasonal variations all influence the finished product. There’s science involved, certainly, but also artistry, experimentation, and intuition.
Flying Heart has even offered opportunities to brew alongside the brewer, giving curious customers a behind-the-scenes look. Continuing education never tasted so good.
Visit a Flying Heart Near You
Bossier City
Bossier City
700 Barksdale Blvd.
Bossier City, LA, 71111
West Monroe
West Monroe
204 Commerce St.
West Monroe, LA 71291
Natchitoches
Natchitoches
108 Mill St.
Natchitoches, LA, 71457
Benton
Coming Soon
Benton (North Bossier)
5440 Airline Dr.
Bossier City, LA 71111