Downtown Mobile’s first parade of the 2025 Mardi Gras season doesn’t roll until Feb. 14, but one of the city’s breweries presents a kick-off event Sunday for those who can’t wait for the good times to roll.

Braided River Brewing will present its annual 12th Night Party starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. The event will feature the release of two new seasonal beers, king cakes, live brass band music and a countdown to the moment when the spire of the RSA Tower is lit up in purple and gold.

Sunday evening will be 12th Night, the final night of the 12-day Christmas season, with Monday observed by many Christian denominations as Epiphany. As with all things Mardi Gras, 12th Night has religious roots but has ramified into popular culture in various ways: Some believe it’s bad luck to leave Christmas decorations up after the day, and others hold that it’s improper to consume king cakes before 12th Night.

Braided River’s celebration will feature both king cakes and king cake beer, according to information provided by the company:

“During Carnival season on the Gulf Coast, we eat a lot of King Cakes, so we’ve decided to have our king cake and drink it, too!” the brewery said in a social media post. “We teamed up with our friends at Dropout Bakery & Company to create a one-of-its-kind blonde ale that’s brewed with real King Cakes right in the mash. Lil’ King Cake Baby, named for the trinket that’s typically found inside the cake, is creamy and lightly spiced with vanilla and cinnamon, just like the signature confection.”

The other seasonal beer debuting on Sunday is “Boom Boom Pale Ale,” described as “an ode to the revelry and fun of Mardi Gras … [that] balances a creamy, malty base with hop flavors of grapefruit, oak and coconut.”

Braided River opens at noon Sunday. Starting at 4 p.m., the 12th Night Party will feature king cakes from Bread by Beck and Dropout Bakery & Co.; a performance by the Blowhouse Brass Band; two food trucks; a countdown to sunset and a ribbon-cutting with Chief Slac, figurehead of Joe Cain Day; and viewing as the RSA Tower’s spire is lit up in Mardi Gras colors for the season.

Additionally, during Mobile’s monthly art walk on Friday, Jan. 10, Braided River will release The Reveler. The new beer is a golden bock named for the Mobile Revelers, a National Basketball Development League team based in Mobile in 2001-03.

Braided River Brewing is at 420 St. Louis St. For more information, visit www.braidedriverbrewing.com.