Breweries in Atlanta – A Developing Local Craft Beer Hub

Breweries in Atlanta are part of the city’s newfound beer-making culture. This ninth largest metropolitan city in the USA has witnessed more and more new entrants.

Most of the talked-about breweries are inside the 285 beltway that circles the city (Particularly on the west side of the town).

This unique selection of Atlanta area breweries creates a lot of buzz among all kinds of beer heads- from light lagers lovers to Belgians to pale ales fans.

Atlanta Beer Breweries	Number of active beers	ABV (Lowest-Highest)
SweetWater Brewing Company	47	4 – 12.4 percent
Monday Night Brewing	60	3.2 – 13.7 percent
Second Self Beer Company	19	4.4 – 13.9 percent
New Realm Brewing	47	3.7 – 13.9 percent
Scofflaw Brewing Company	25	4 – 13.9 percent
Atlanta Brewing Company	24	4.5 – 11.5 percent
Orpheus Brewing	55	4 – 13.6 percent
Eventide Brewing	20	3 – 10.1 percent
Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens	33	4-13.5 percent
Bold Monk Brewing Company	20	4.5 – 10.1 percent
Arches Brewing	22	3.8 – 7.3 percent
Round Trip Brewing Company	17	4 – 11.5 percent
Steady Hand Brewing Company	23	5 – 8.5 percent
Fire Maker Brewing Company	16	3.9-8.7 percent
Elsewhere Brewing	10	4.5 – 9 percent

Best Breweries in Atlanta

The craft beer Atlanta scene is (Both old and new) creating recipes with premium quality ingredients and brewing processes. Many of the hottest Atlanta microbreweries also offer tours of their facilities and organize weeknight or weekend events to make your outings more memorable and fun-filled.

Let’s view some of the best breweries in Atlanta GA:

1. SweetWater Brewing Company

– Location

195 Ottley Dr. NE, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Massive seating space with a great patio
• Live music
• Lip-smacking beverage
• Full kitchen and menu

Labelled as the biggest craft brewery in Atlanta, this brewery has national recognition. Located on the west side of the city, north of Piedmont Park, Sweetwater is one of the oldest craft breweries in Georgia.

This brewhouse also has a full slate of seasonal, special releases and an off-beat, one-off Dank Tank series. As a tradition, the brewery has reasonably priced 30 minutes tours and tastings in their Atlanta brewery. The huge centrally placed bar has 24 taps on both sides.

– Must-try Beers

• 420 extra pale ale
• 420 strain
• Woodlands
• Sweetwater Oasis
• Golden sour Cambium American wild ale

2. Monday Night Brewing

– Location

670 Trabert Ave NW, Atlanta, & Garage location: 933 Lee St, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Great outdoor space
• Fire pits
• Beltline bike trail view

Monday night brewing was conceptualized by young men Jeff, Joel, and Jonathan, who gave up their white-collar jobs to pursue what they love. After perfecting their passion for brewing for five long years, they launched the Atlanta brewery in 2011.

The company has two locations. The latter ( the southwest end of the city) focuses on sour beers and experimentations. The award-winning funky brewhouse serves a line-up of excellent beverages that attract all beer enthusiasts. You can expect a spectrum of flavored IPAs, hoppy batches, and barrel-aged sour beers.

– Must-try Beers

• Dive headfirst into MNB’s West Midtown Hop Hut
• Welcome to the machine
• Maple Bourbon Barrel
• Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt
• Tiger That Killed My Father

3. Second Self Beer Company

– Location

1317 Logan Cir NW, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Fun photo booth
• Huge patio
• Food trucks
• Events and parties

It was started in 2014 as a full brewery taproom and event space by two Georgia Tech grads, Chris and Jason. The facility can produce 2,400 to 2,500 barrels per year with spacious seating. Its main aim is to produce premium craft beers with high-quality fresh, never dried ingredients, extracts and techniques.

They currently have 20 taps to try their three year-round beers and seasonal IPAs, porters, and sours. This quirky taproom features a game arcade to chill and relax in Underwood Hills. As a beerhouse, they want you to “sip into your Second Self.” The Second Self Beer Company is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

– Must-try Beers

• Thai Wheat
• Game Night
• A.T. Ale
• Mole Porter
• Triforce

4. New Realm Brewing

– Location

550 Somerset Terrace NE #101, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Both indoor and outdoor seating
• View of East Beltline
• Features a beer garden

This 40000-square-foot facility located in East Beltline houses a beer garden, a brewery, and a restaurant. The former stone brewing brewmaster, an IPA expert Mitch Steele and his partners Bob Powers and Cory Falcone have built this brewpub with a passion for the best beer and food. It is among the few new brewpubs and gastropubs in Atlanta and is a magnetic crowd puller.

Their fantastic beer selection includes classic IPAs, new hazy IPAs, Pilsner, and hard seltzers. This craft brewery is home to cornhole competitions, trivia nights, and large gatherings. Sipping great beers paired with delicious food on the killer rooftop patio can make you gaga over the cordial environment. You can get the best views of the Atlanta skyline with multi-level vistas inside.

– Must-try Beers

• Hoplandia IPA
• Hoptropolis IPA
• Hazy Like a Fox
• Jacked Squatch
• Euphonia

5. Scofflaw Brewing Company

– Location

214 Chattahoochee Row NW, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Rotating food truck
• Outdoor patio
• Fun lights
• Fundraising community events

This 18,000-square-foot brew spot is located in the Bolton area, near Underwood Hills. The much-talked brewery has been applauded and appreciated by many beer connoisseurs and beer magazines for its big, bold, and flavorful beers.

Regarded as one of Atlanta’s most beloved breweries, Scofflaw is mainly known for its delicious IPA’s, hard seltzers, and many other creations and has a cold one for everyone. The facility organizes various events like yoga classes and supports many community programs.

– Must-try Beers

• Basement IPA
• Tropical Staycation
• Double Jeopardy
• Attention Please
• Hooligan

6. Atlanta Brewing Company

– Location

2323 Defoor Hills Rd NW, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Spacious outdoors
• Live music
• Trivia nights
• Rotating food trucks

Atlanta brewing company was Georgia’s first craft brewery in 1993, which was founded by a former Guinness administrator, Greg Kelly. This Atlanta microbrewery serves some wonderful beers in its tasting room while focussing on quality and using regional ingredients. From all styles of IPAs and Pilsners to imperial stouts, this beer destination has many innovative styles on its card.

The craft brewery offers 20 beers on tap with Taproom Exclusive selections. They also have many taproom events. The ABC added a feather to its cap in 2020 by becoming the first brewery in Georgia to introduce sustainable six-pack ringers. People below 21 are allowed to take tours here, but alcoholic beverages are not served.

– Must-try Beers

• Hoplanta
• Boozin for Apples
• Bohemian Raspberry
• Howell Millionaire

7. Orpheus Brewing

– Location

1440 Dutch Valley Pl NE, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Artisanal brewery
• Enjoy the balcony views of the Piedmont Park
• Free tours and tastings
• Incredible patio

It was Memorial Day 2014 when this facility first opened its doors. Located near Piedmont Park, it is a popular hotspot in Midtown. The brainchild of trumpet-player-turned-brewmaster Jason Pellett, Orpheus Brewing brewed only sour beers and wild barrels in its initial days.

The place offers the best beer garden and a delightfully tasty, old barrel-brew in a family/friendly environment. Currently, the facility brews IPA’s, sours, and barrel-aged stouts. This transformation of brewing styles is an attempt to catch momentary dreams.

– Must-try Beers

• Transmigration of Souls
• Everything Lasts Forever
• Plants Have No Memories
• THE Circularity IPA
• Atalanta

8. Eventide Brewing

– Location

1015 Grant St SE, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Great seating
• Good games
• Quieter, more relaxed environment
• Parking available

Founders Nathan, Haley, and Geoffrey started Eventide Brewing in 2014. Located in Grant Park, near Atlanta’s Zoo, Eventide Brewing offers a delightful selection of pilsners, sours, IPAs, and much more. All of their pints (especially the hazy IPAs) gained a loyal and ardent following over the last couple of years.

The brewery has created many award-winning craft beers. The facility features a games arcade (darts and giant Jenga), a large projector to watch games, weekly tacos and trivia nights, and other fun events.

This is one of the few breweries in Atlanta with fill-to-growlers (64 ounces and 32 ounces) to take home.

– Must-try Beers

• Grant Park sour
• Cosmic Daydream hazy IPA
• The Kölsch
• Pair of Kings double IPA

9. Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens

– Location

1010 White St SW, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Outdoor seating
• Serves non-alcoholic drinks
• An array of games

Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens is located along the Beltline trail. The company is presently operating two taprooms in two locations in Atlanta – one in Avondale Estates and the other in West End neighborhoods. The 22,000-square-foot west end facility has 12000 square feet of the patio overlooking the Beltline alongside a taproom and event space with bars.

The brewery serves some new delightful pints inspired by European brews but innovated with an American twist. The beer menu is good with pale ales, IPAs, seltzers, stouts, and sours (of course, you can try samplers). You can enjoy a full day with good food, great beers, and have fun playing ladder golf, corn hole, and various board games.

– Must-try Beers

• Emergency Beer
• Wise Blood
• Bestie Pub
• White Blackbird

10. Bold Monk Brewing Company

– Location

1737 Ellsworth Industrial, West Midtown, Atlanta

– Highlights

• Spacious
• Garden and library
• Gastropub
• Coffee house

Designed and curated artistically by Cindy and Alan LeBlanc, Bold Monk Brewing Company has a stunning dining and gathering space. This is a perfect place to chill out, from the wooden beams of the ceiling to a rustic flair to the vintage-inspired interiors. Along with thoughtful food and beverage menus, the area offers an exclusive gastro/brewery experience to the locals.

Brewmaster John “JR” Roberts’ artistic vision has created many medal-winning finest craft beers and wines at this brewhouse, such as Gold (Belgian Dubbel) and Silver (Belgian Witbier), etc. You will find unique and popular beer selections, including Belgian ales, American IPAs, and stouts. Non-beer drinkers may choose from a variety of wines and cocktails.

– Must-try Beers

• Go with Discipline Dubbel
• Tripel or The Shared Spirit IPA
• Shared Spirit IPA
• Indominus Quadrupel

11. Arches Brewing

– Location

3361 Dogwood Dr, Hapeville, GA

– Highlights

• Huge outdoor Biergarten
• Funky gravel patio
• Traditional Lagers
• Creative beers
• Order To-go beers

Located near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the brewery is known for its modern take on old-world traditional beers. The founders brewed their first in 2005 with an aim to offer cleaner, more complex, and delicious craft beers. Brewer Justin Ramirez specializes in Euro-inspired ales as well as American Style beers.

You can get your hands on their year-round offerings, such as Vienna-style Mexican Empire lager or limited releases like Cold Smoke smoked lager and the Simply Sticky West Coast IPA. You can enjoy a pint or two inside or choose to relax outside on the funky gravel patio.

– Must-try Beers

• Mexican Empire
• Southern Bel
• Southside Lager
• Queen’s Weisse
• Turbulence

12. Round Trip Brewing Company

– Location

1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA

– Highlights

• 3,000 sq ft event space
• German-style beers
• String-lit Outdoor Sitting space
• 12-tap tasting room

The brewery features a 3,000 sq ft spacious event space that is perfect for hosting a party, corporate event, celebration, or client meeting. It also features an ambient outdoor seating area and fresh offerings on 12-taps. The Head brewer Craig Mycoskies specializes in German-style beers.

It has a good line of beers of different styles like West-German amber ale, Keller Pilsner, Dunkel, doppelbock, Hellas, and West Coast IPAs. However, if you get a chance to visit this brewery, do not skip their special German-style beers. You can enjoy your time there with a choice of foods ranging from barbecue to burgers.

– Must-try Beers

• Thai Chilli Lime
• Dunkel Platz
• Gizza Pils
• Isar Haze

13. Steady Hand Brewing Company

– Location

1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite F, Atlanta, GA

– Highlights

• Live Music
• 24 Taps
• Games
• Food Trucks

Founded by brothers Brian and Kevil Sullivan, this 14,000 sq ft brewery is located across from Topgolf in Blandtown. It features a 30- barrel brewhouse along with a 24 taps beer tasting room. You can get your hands on some of the freshest brews from their small-batch brew system.

This brewery offers year-round brews such as Paradise Waits IPA, crisp lagers, sour beers, and the famous Georgia Farmhouse Ale. You can pair these clean and creative beers with some delicious foods from food trucks and restaurant pop-ups.

– Must-try Beers

• Flower Business
• Cloudland Hazy IPA
• Circles of the Sun
• Paradise Waits IPA
• Imperial Coffee Stout

14. Fire Maker Brewing Company

– Location

975 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA

– Highlights

• Public Events
• Scoville Hot Chicken
• Innovative Hazy IPAs

Founded by Elliott Hall at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this start-up craft brewery is located in West Midtown, Atlanta. As soon as this family-owned and operated brewery started operations, it became an instant hit amongst area residents.

Fire Maker Brweing Co, has an impressive line up of Hazy IPAs, ales, Barleywine, and seltzers.You can check out their organized events or book your own on Thursday. The brewery has partnered with Scoville Hot Chicken for serving lunch and dinner at their brewery.

– Must-try Beers

• Hazed & Blazed
• Perfect Match
• 4th Down
• The Calamity Jane blonde ale
• Bedfordshire Barleywine

15. Elsewhere Brewing

– Location

1039 Grant St SE Suite B34, Atlanta, GA

– Highlights

• Cheery Tap Room
• Drinking Hall with Cafe Vibes
• Live Music and Other Events
• Lively outside Patio

Located in Grant Park’s Beacon complex, this brewpub has an uniques aura. Owner Sam and Sara were greatly inspired by Belgian Cafes, English Pubs, and Bavarian Gardens. Their brewpub is the reflection of years of keen observation and hard efforts. The bright and buzzing taproom with cafe vibes is the main attraction.

You can try their tirelessly crafted American pale ales, IPAs, and stouts along with classic European lagers, wheats, saisons, and sours. Pair these diverse beers with pimento cheese, barbecue meat, or dumplings from their menu.

– Must-try Beers

• Carouse
• Dulce De Leche
• Gest
• Lasting Impression

FAQ

What beer is Atlanta most famous for?

Atlanta is most famous for SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale. It’s a hoppy American pale ale that has become a flagship beer for the city’s craft beer scene.

Do Atlanta breweries produce the most craft beer in the US?

It’s unlikely. While Atlanta has a thriving craft beer scene, other cities have more established reputations for craft beer production.

Does Atlanta offer brewery tours?

Yes, there are several companies offering brewery tours in Atlanta. It’s a great way to explore the city’s craft beer culture.

Endnote

The craft beer scene has expanded a lot In Atlanta. One can witness a new brewery popping up all-time in the city. Atlanta became the South’s premier beer city only recently. It was only after 2017 (change in outdated franchise law in Georgia) that local breweries in Atlanta started offering you samples of their wide variety of drinks in parlors and taprooms and on all days.

This is what you should know about breweries near Atlanta:

• Atlanta Brewing Company was Atlanta’s first brewing company serving IPAs, Pilsners, and imperial stouts.
• SweetWater Brewing Company is one of the oldest craft breweries in Georgia, offering Woodlands, golden sour Cambium American wild ale, Almond Milk Stout, and others.
• If you want a view of Atlanta’s beautiful skyline, visit the New Realm Brewing. You can enjoy a beautiful view while sipping their signature IPAs – Hoplandia and Hoptropolis.
• Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens is the place to be if you seek an outdoor beer drinking experience.

If you are a tourist and beer fan, you must get on the Atlanta (shuttle-type) beer bus that will take you to brewery after brewery. You will get to taste a variety of styles and enjoy the panoramic views of the Beltline.