Chef Karlos Knott is a Louisiana native and former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout who spent six years eating and drinking his way through European countries while stationed in Mannheim, Germany. During those years, Knott and his wife, Stephanie, developed a passion for good food and well-crafted beer, and when Knott retired from the Army, the couple brought their favorite flavors home and opened Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville in 2009. Today, they share those flavors in distinctive lagers, stouts, and ales crafted to complement South Louisiana’s cuisine and lifestyle, and at Cajun Saucer Pizza, the brewery’s on-site restaurant that serves classic Cajun dishes and authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Although he has won multiple culinary awards, including 2025’s King of Louisiana Seafood and Louisiana’s Best Taste Awards—Best Cajun and Creole, Knott is happier when discussing his beers, his saucily-named pizzas, and the fun, funky cocktails that he and his team of mad scientists concoct at Cajun Saucer’s on-site Tiki bar. At both the brewery and restaurant, it’s evident that Chef Karlos’s main aim is to put a smile on his guests’ faces. “As a chef, one of the things I look for is the face—the face doesn’t lie,” he said. “I always said that’s why I got into the beer business, because when you’re in a tap room, they take a sip and they say, ‘Oh that’s nice!’ And that’s better than any money you’ve made. You know they’re telling the truth.”
While it’s hardly fair to ask a proud father to choose, if pressed, Chef Knott will admit that his favorite pizzas include:
- Smokey and the Boudin Pizza: mozzarella, crème fraiche, boudin, green onions, olive oil.
- A Streetcar Named Diablo: mozzarella, Cajun Saucer tomato sauce, andouille, Tasso, smoked sausage, Calabrian peppers, fried pork skins, and hot honey.
- Margherita Attacks: mozzarella, Cajun Saucer tomato sauce, fresh basil, smoked Maldon sea salt, olive oil.
Smokey and the Boudin Pizza and ice cold LA 31 Acadie
From the beer menu, Chef Knott recommends:
- LA 31 Swamp Thing IPA: A hoppy, citrusy, hazy IPA brewed with the finest Pilsner malt, and a blend of hops that includes Mosaic, Citra, and Chinook.
- LA 31 Acadie: A light-bodied, amber-colored farmhouse ale with a tangerine-like hop aroma and a sweet, soft malt flavor with mellow bitterness. Brewed using malts from European farms, German Saphir hops, and Louisiana cane sugar.
- Miel Savage: Bernard’s Honey from Henderson, Louisiana adds local flair to this distinctive honey beer. Knott ages Miel Savage in French Sauvignon Blanc barrels, imparting floral tones of fruit, vanilla, and honey to the brew’s bready malt character.
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Pizza-lovers of all ages are welcome at Bayou Teche Brewing
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Pizza-lovers of all ages are welcome at Bayou Teche Brewing
When you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, stick around for a behind-the-scenes brewery tour, settle in to enjoy some live music, or sit in on a Bourrée game. An afternoon at Bayou Teche Brewing is an outing that’s perfect for the whole family—from babies to great grandparents, and everyone in between. Find restaurant details, the menu, and lots more local dining options at cajuntravel.com/food-and-drink.
