I also
included the exclusive, unabridged version below!
I’m Baaaaaaack!
Oh man, your homie
Ale has been globetrotting, hitting up southern California twice, Tokyo, and
just recently a tour of the Finger Lakes all within the month of October. This was
hands down the busiest month of my life because, besides my BDay on the 8th,
I also had hosted a major Piano Keys event alongside New Belgium in
Denver during the Great American Beer Festival, launched a fundraising beer with DuClaw plus an interview here, helped produce the amazing Blacktoberfest weekend
in Atlanta, plus all the rest of the festivities that come with
the season. Regardless, I still want to make a pledge to do better updating
this site. My Instagram has been the prime source of delivering updates,
announcements and latest happenings, and now I want to provide a more personal
account of some of those postings. I got you and appreciate you for continuing
to join me on my journey.
First up, here’s a
breakdown of my latest article that dropped last week, which turned out to be a
passion project of sorts.
Last week, I
announced my debut article with The Infatuation—a culinary-forward
website that covers the globe, but with an edgy, humorous, neighborly vibe—here when it dropped. I
was asked to write up Atlanta’s 21 Best Breweries and I gladly accepted. With me knowing all of them
and being around since each of their inceptions, it was an honor to give these
hard-working folks in ATL some light on such a prominent media source. As many
writers do with their first article under a new publisher, we write more than
expected; it’s better to cut words down than add them. That was my case here,
so what I will do is include what I originally turned in and what they ended up
posting. I totally get the style, approach, and overall mission to get direct
to the point while still engaging the reader. Rest assured, there will be more
contributions to The Infatuation. I can’t wait to do the next one. Stay tuned
for that!
And with that, may
thanks for reading, giving me your support, and having my back. Shout out to
all the breweries that are officially listed as ATLANTA on their address. Here is
the unabridged version I originally turned in which includes a more personal
account of what you should know about them compared to the more concise,
straight-to-the-point version that was published here.
Both serve the same purpose: They show love to the incredible, underrated beer
scene in Georgia’s capital.
Cheers!
The Original Version:
21 Best Atlanta
Breweries For Beer Snobs
While cities like Ann Arbor, both
Portlands, Asheville, and Denver are justly revered as being prime beer hubs,
Atlanta is now demanding the same respect. Since Georgia lifted the ABV from 6%
to 14% in 2004, its sipping scene has blown up significantly. In the words of
Andre 3000, “The South’s got something to say!” This is especially true when it
comes to the numerous breweries throughout ATL.
Buckhead
$$
With a goal to have 20 locations by 2020, the Mid-Atlantic-based Iron Hill’s successful restaurant/brewery combination entered the Southeastern market by thankfully filling a void in the swanky Buckhead district with their 18th location just over a year ago. Known for award-winning brews crafted on site like the King’s Gold American pilsner recently receiving a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, plus an extensive food menu, and industrial-chic décor, they’re a perfect fit for the neighborhood. Take everyone from beer geeks to business partners here and make a day of it either inside their spacious taproom complete with chandeliers or patio set along bustling Peachtree Road with Lenox Mall and ritzy Phipps Plaza just steps away.
Castleberry Hill
$
Owned and operated by Grammy Award-winning
rap group the Nappy Roots, the 6,000 square-foot, fully operational brewery
also serves as an event facility and art exhibit complete with a stage the Nappy
Roots and aspiring artists under their Not Regular independent label perform. Starting
off as homebrewers, Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille quickly learned the business
through contract brewing and eventually opening up one of the only Black-owned
brick and mortar breweries in Georgia. With their spacious brewery just steps
away from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlantucky welcomes a steady stream of
visitors enjoying a steady rotation of brews on tap, including the
well-balanced Mile High Pale Ale, light-bodied Castleberry Pils Lager,
Chesapeake Bae Fruit Beer, and Peaches + Queens Peach Cobbler Ale. Canning
and more collaborations are set for the very near future.
Downtown Atlanta
$$
Popularly regarded as one of the premier
sports bars in Atlanta with 70 televisions and a broadcast studio, the
multi-level STATS also has award-winning brewmaster Austin Edwards crafting a wide
range of IPAs, sours, lagers, and seasonals from a 10-barrel brewery. Besides
getting virtually every big game and just a block away from State Farm Arena
where the Hawks play, the upscale bar menu and functioning taps built into tables
also contribute to this 16,000 square-foot, industrial-meets-chic location’s
draw.
East Atlanta
$$
Georgia, let alone Atlanta, now has its
first Black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery thanks to entrepreneurs Donnica and
Clarence Boston. Choosing the former Eastlake Pharmacy as Hippin’ Hops’ first location
in the hipster-driven East Atlanta Village, solid brews with smile-producing
names like the Baby Mama Drama and Oops Upside Yo Head IPAs, plus “frozen beers”
such as the Coco Crazy strawberry pina colada and So Peachy sour fearlessly
push the envelope. Always festive, live DJs, an adjacent beer garden with cornhole,
and New Orleans-themed food staples including authentic po’boys, Cajun shrimp
deviled eggs, catfish nuggets, gator bites, and a fresh oyster bar, the Bostons
now have a second location ten driving minutes away in neighboring East Lake
and an expansive production facility in Stone Mountain.
$
Inspired
by Trappist Monks in Belgium, brewer Brian Purcell opened one of the most respected
beer companies in the South in 2013, Three Taverns in Avondale Estates. After
years of success with the Night On Ponce IPA leading the way, it was time to
open an experimental brewery in Grant Park’s historic Atlanta Dairies complex across
the street from the Atlanta Beltline. Scoring the hire of heralded brewer Neal
Engleman, virtually everything pouring inside this stunning bi-level facility has
been world-class status since opening its doors in 2020. The vast greenspace
shared with other businesses including the new concert venue, The Eastern, is
perfect for friends and family to toast Imaginarium’s libations alfresco.
The Beacon’s Eventide
and Elsewhere
$
Nestled in Grant Park, this community of
living and retail boasts two breweries to go with an eclectic variety of restaurants.
Eventide is all about trivia, a constant rotation of food trucks, and serving
up crowd favorites like their Kolsch Style Ale and Snow Cold IPA. Grab one of
their brews and check out the neighboring Grant Park farmers market on
Saturdays as well.
Elsewhere runs the back corner of the Beacon with a lively pet-friendly
patio where beer advocates and cycling clubs kick back to enjoy the
European-inspired pilsners, Czech lagers, hefeweizens, and IPAs (try the
popular West Coast-style Viridity) to pair with a full menu boasting delectable
apps, handhelds, and salads. They have an assortment of beer alternatives like
seltzers and craft cocktails to make sure everyone’s thirst is quenched. An
assortment of live music is a regular thing as well. The Beacon is undoubtedly the
move when entertaining a lot of folks at one time.
Inman Park
$$
Owner Stevenson Rosslow, returning head
brewer Tim Schiavone, and staff go above and beyond to ensure there is nothing
like Wrecking Bar. Already a visual standout positioned at the base of the historic
Victor H. Kriegshaber House—a prominent Victorian-style mansion on bustling Moreland
Avenue—their renowned beer program delivers a wide range of styles to please
virtually every palate including pilsners, Juice Willis IPA variants, Breaking
Bob Kölsch, sours, a spectrum of award-winning stouts, saisons, barrel-aged specialties,
and guest taps. Executive chef Mikey Staniewicz’s rotating farm-to-table food
menu, locally sourced provisions, biergarten, Marianna event space, and top-notch
craft cocktails fit for even the most sophisticated spirit advocate seal the deal.
Look out for their annual Strong Beer Fest and new Hop Harvest Fest.
Midtown
$$
Sure, as one of the nation’s largest beer companies—currently #11—SweetWater is everywhere throughout the country including Delta flights, but they make sure their homebase in Midtown shows patrons a hell of a time. Their location is more like a complex, with a barrel-aging facility called the Woodlands Project, a completely redesigned taproom, a cornhole field, live music stage, full merch store, and spacious pet-friendly patio. And beside their assortment of IPAs, stouts, lagers, and legendary 420 pale ale, SweetWater also diversified their sipping lineup to include selections from acquired breweries Alpine and Green Flash, plus the Oasis electrolyte-infused seltzer line. And don’t skip the tour; it’s an amazing experience and proves how successful a brewery can become after opening their doors in 1997. The annual 420 Fest is one of Atlanta’s most popular music festivals as well. Yeah, SweetWater does it all.
$
Founded in 2014, Orpheus Brewing answered
Atlanta’s craving for high-gravity IPAs, stouts, and wild-fermented and sour
beers. Now in its 8th year, founder and brewmaster Jason Pellet—who
is also a classically trained trumpeter to explain the brewery’s moniker—is
justly credited as a major contributor to introducing Atlanta to beer styles
popular in especially Europe. The acclaimed Transmigration of Soul’s Double IPA,
Atalanta Plum Saison, and numerous other varietals are served in the remodeled
taproom and numerous retail outlets throughout Georgia and beyond. Located just
off Atlanta’s Beltline complete with a picturesque view of the city, plus a steady
rotation of food trucks and guest chefs, Orpheus is one of Georgia capital’s
must-visit destinations.
Old Fourth Ward
$$
Set directly beside the Eastside Beltline
trail, New Realm’s first of soon-to-be six massive locations throughout the US cannot
be missed—all 40,000 square feet of it. Boasting a brewing program masterminded
by the legendary IPA guru Mitch Steele who pledged to demonstrate his expertise
to brew sours, pilsners, wheat varietals, stouts, and other beer styles as well,
thanks to the 26-barrel brewhouse and barrel room. Add the gorgeous beer
garden, skyline rooftop, full-service restaurant (the New Realm Burger and
crusted mac and cheese are crowd faves), live music, and trivia regularly and
the aggressive multi-city expansion is justified.
$$
Historic Old Fourth Ward could use another
brewery, so Sarah and Clay Davies said, “Hold my beer” and created one. Now
celebrating its first year, their variety of solid beers often named after Sarah’s
family members like the Harvey American IPA and Aunt Etta Satsuma Sour, the popular
raw oyster happy hour, Sunday brunch, rustic-chic interior, and dog-friendly patio
along bustling Edgewood Ave produce a winning combination. Gourmet coffee
welcomes early risers followed by an open kitchen serving up delectable lunch
and dinner selections helmed by newly appointed executive chef and barbecue aficionado
Al McClendon. This is one of the true have-it-all brew destinations in Atlanta
destined to be, well, bigger than ever.
Summerhill
$
Answering the call of imbibers fond of traditional
beer styles minus all the trendy adjuncts and gimmickry, Shawn Bainbridge, Tim
Kilic, and renowned brewer Joran Van Ginderachter direct from Belgium became a
part of the aggressive redevelopment of Atlanta’s historic Summerhill in 2019
with Halfway Crooks. Packaging and décor are themed with the appreciation of
technology in the 80s, hip hop serenades customers enjoying European-inspired
pilsners, marzens, radlers, schwarzbiers, American IPAs, helles, and other
selections. The second of the two levels is airy with a large projector screen
mostly showing wildlife vids, and the a revamped beer garden is set to open in
early 2023. Complete with a limited, yet appetizing food menu serving wings,
pretzels, and different versions of fries, this is the go-to spot for true beer
heads and even local brewers who crave remarkable, true-to-style ales and
lagers.
Upper Westside
$
Round Trip wants to take its imbibers’
palates on a journey to experience German-inspired beers with a draft lineup pouring
marzens, helles, hefeweizens, berliner weisses and Munich-style dark lagers.
Recently opening in 2021, CEO and head brewer Craig Mycoskie complements more
than than 12 years of brewing experience with weekly events like Dirty South
Trivia and Speed Puzzle night. Round Trip does a stellar job of giving ATL a
tour of how lagers can be just as exciting and complex as ales.
$$
Undoubtedly one of the poshest breweries in
Atlanta, Brewed To Serve Restaurant Group owners Cindy and Alan LeBlanc, plus
brewing icon John “JR” Roberts, have adorned Atlanta with an extraordinary
three-level imbibing experience. Lead-paned windows; velvet and leather
seating; wood floors; beer garden with fire pits; a library; coffee bar; and barrel
room ideal for private dinners further justify Monk’s accolades. Of course, the
award-winning Belgian-inspired ales and lagers, and culinary program rivaling ATL’s
top restaurants—look for Belgian frites, brisket poutine, wood-grilled salmon, and
mussels—are collectively the true draw, but the stunning décor is an invaluable
complement. And be sure to consider Brewed To Serve’s legendary Max Lager’s
Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery, the oldest brewpub in Georgia for
their premium hand-cut steaks, brick oven pizzas, and expansive beverage list based
directly on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta.
$
Opening in 2020, co-owner and co-founder Elliott
Hall and family quickly made their brewery a city favorite with a mission to
inspire others to celebrate their achievements and identify themselves as “fire
makers.” Their successful interpretations of classic styles including Chattahooch-Tea
Southeastern IPA brewed with lactose and two tea variations, plus other
adventurous IPAs, lagers, and sours have resulted in an actual “Awards” page on
their website. Their brewery brandishes mural work by celebrated local artist Jordan
Atkinson and a partnership with Scoville Hot Chicken to bring the heat on the
culinary side. Fire Maker is now entering the world of ciders with more ventures
on the way to add fuel to their impressive blaze of entrepreneurialism.
$
Launched by former Wall Street exec Matt
Shirah and veteran brewmaster Travis Herman, Scofflaw kicked in ATL’s door with
edgy tactics and intended brashness especially over social media to validate their
moniker. Once they settled down and focused on what they do best—making
smash-hit IPAs like their Basement, POG Basement, Basement Light, and Hooligans,
plus a lineup of imperial stouts, sours, seltzers, and even spirits. Scofflaw
now has two locations in the Upper Westside, the O.G. in the Bolton neighborhood
and state-of-the-art, 9,000-square-foot brewing playhouse for Herman called Dr. Scofflaw’s Laboratory and Beer Garden. The
latter is based inside the 80-acre retail development called The Works complete
with a beer garden and the convenience of sipping one of their beers while exploring
various eateries including a vast food hall a few steps away. The success story
continues with a third location called Scofflaw Beer Barn with 48 taps
inside downtown Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
$
Since opening in 2019, Steady Hand is home
to 24 rotating taps of IPAs, stouts, sours, seltzers and lagers to name a few.
Their Cloudland Hazy IPA, Paradise Waits IPA, Flower Business DIPA, and Lager are
the year-rounds, while an array of seasonals complete the portfolio encased in captivating
can art. Patrons also enjoy the laid-back industrial style of the tap room that
doubles as an event space for comedy shows, concerts and trivia nights. Live
music and events like the monthly Ales & Overlands off-road vehicle show
get a lot of love as well.
West End
Specifically the Lee + White development popularly
nicknamed ‘Malt Disney’
$
Starting as hosts of a homebrewing
gathering with a few homies after their Bible study sessions on Monday Nights
more than a decade ago, Jonathan Baker, Joel Iverson, and Jeff Heck now have
four Monday Night brewing locations throughout the South. Regarding the two
venues in Atlanta, the O.G. in the Upper Westside has a fire pit, two tap
stations, food trucks, and live shows regularly. The West End’s expansive Garage
along the bustling Westside Beltline trail is the playhouse for
award-winning brewmaster Peter Kiley; it’s all barrel aging, flaunts a coolship
aka “Crunkship” to produce spontaneous beers, and recently launched an open
kitchen serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas thanks to Chef Adi Komic and
his team.
$
Respected as one of the major contributors
to building the groundwork for Georgia’s craft beer scene by contract brewing in
2010 before opening their first brewery in Avondale Estates about a year later, they now have a spacious,
21,600-square foot second location in what is popularly christened Malt Disney
on the West End. While president Nick Purdy, Brewmaster Eric Johnson, and crew keep
steady year rounds like the Emergency Drinking Beer variants, ATL Easy Ale, Euro-Style
Pilsner, and new sensation, the Sunburst IPA, their seasonal odes to traditional
European styles and Garden Beer collaborations with Atlanta Botanical Garden
truly show how they flex their creative muscle. Complete with an extensive
to-go menu featuring handhelds, wings, house-cut fries, tacos, and salads, plus
a patio overlooking the Westside Beltline trail, these pioneers will maintain
their royalty status for years to come.
$$
With wordplay paying homage to their
neighborhood, Best End joined Wild Heaven, Monday Night Garage, ASW Distillery,
and the Hop City bottle shop to complete the “Malt Disney” collective in the Lee
+ White complex during the fall of 2019. Boasting a 20-barrel brewery complete
with a pilot system for creating inventive lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts, and
sours, there’s also a restaurant, the Graffiki Tiki Bar, an assortment of wines,
cocktails, and events with live music regularly to keep the party going.