If you are like a lot of people and your only real connection to beer is the warm, sudsy liquid that was in your red solo cup at a college party, then this post is for you. Because somewhere, between those college nights and adulthood, an appreciation of craft beer that genuinely tastes good has swept through the South. You may already be familiar with names like Sweetwater and Terrapin, but today, we have picked four local breweries to introduce to you that you might not have heard of yet. And unlike most of our restaurant posts, we have left off specific recommendations of beers to try because everyone’s palate is different, and we encourage you to go in and talk to the staff. They are much more knowledgeable then we are and can steer you in the right direction.
Monday Night Brewing
mondaynightbrewing.com
The folks behind Monday Night Brewing decided that the weekend should not be the only time to enjoy a beer. So they turned their weekly guys’ night into an experimentation of the art of brewing beer. And after achieving beer perfection, they opened their own brewery on the Westside for us all to enjoy.
Monday Night Brewing occasionally hosts Friday Foodie which features local food trucks, a live band, and, of course, beer. It is a great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Children are welcome, too. (photo via facebook)
Monday Night Brewing hosts some great family friendly events (like Friday Foodie above) and it especially caters to those who want to unwind after a long workday. They have made a point to open the brewery on weekday nights so that people have a great place to unwind. And, if you donate a necktie to their “Wall of Ties,” they will give $1 off admission the $10 admission.
The tasting room inside Monday Night Brewing. We love the atmosphere at Monday Night–their space is bright and airy. (photo via facebook)
Monday Night Brewing Tours and Tastings
Monday: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Red Brick Brewing
Opening it’s doors of their first red brick building in 1993, Red Brick Brewing is the oldest operating craft brewery in the state of Georgia. Now in it’s second red brick building on Defoor Hills Road, the brewery sums up it’s passion for serving local Atlantans quality, home grown beer with their slogan, “Beer From Around Here.”
Red Brick’s tasting room is a great place to go if you want to learn about beer. Their staff is a friendly group of people who genuinely want you to enjoy the beer that they serve you. Don’t be intimated by their long list of beers; they will guide you to a selection after talking about tastes you like and dislike.
Red Brick’s Blonde Beer offering. (image via facebook)
Tasting and Tour Hours:
Wednesday-Friday: 5 to 8 p.m. (tour at 7 p.m.)
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (tour at 12:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.)
Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m. (tour at 3 p.m.)
Wrecking Bar Brewpub
We think the Wrecking Bar Brewpub wins for the most fascinating location. It is housed in a 20th century Victorian house on Moreland Avenue that in it’s past life was also a Methodist church and a dance school. After a careful renovation, it is now a brewpub with their own beer in tap and good food from the kitchen.
The back patio of the Brewpub (photo via facebook)
While the kitchen does offer traditional pub fare, they have put their own twist on dishes such as pickled peach flatbread and local bratwursts served with German potato salad and house made kraut.
Mushroom and arugula flatbread. (photo via facebook)
Brewery Tours:
Every Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
5 Seasons Brewery
5 Seasons Brewery is a local brewery that is spreading their love of beer through three different locations; the Westside, Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta. Like the Wrecking Bar, 5 Seasons serves food alongside their own beer.
5 Seasons Westside (image via facebook)
5 Seasons takes a fresh approach to their menu. Offering plenty of salads, light dinner options, and even a daily fresh catch that is served either as fish tacos or fish-in-chips. They also have a seasonal vegetable plate.
Brewery Tours:
Call your choice of location to request a date and time for a brewery tour.
These breweries also have a few of their beers available in local bars, restaurants, grocery and liquor stores. If you really like a beer and can’t find it locally, make sure to request your neighborhood spots carry your favorite brew. It is a great way to support both the brewery and your local stores!
