I have been living in the Southeast now for the better part of six years. In all of those six years, I have done my best to try to embrace the local beer here. With that said, here are some highlights and reviews the local beer I have nearby, or the places that are on the list of places we have to visit.
Sweetwater Brewery - Atlanta, GA
First up in the been-there-done-that category is Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta, GA. Sweetwater was founded but a couple of displaced west coasters and seemed like a place I should feel right at home. My wife and I went to one of the Saturday afternoon brewery “tours” this past summer and put simply, it wasn’t what we expected. As we arrived, there were a few police officers directing us into an adjacent parking lot which really should have been our first hint. There were easily 200 to 300 people inside already and the feel of the whole thing was much more mid-afternoon frat party than brewery tour. After pushing my way to the bar I had one of the two tastings that came with entry. I tried the Blue and the Georgia Brown during our stay, both were smooth and easy to drink but weren’t exactly explosive. Nothing especially memorable sticks out about any of the brews there and sadly that says something. When it came time for the actual tour portion our group was at least 60 people strong and it felt more like watching a Youtube video of a tour than actually being there. The guide himself was entertaining and appeared knowledgeable but he was also trying to talk beer to a crowd that wasn’t really there to learn or enjoy the process. The folks there were really present to pay their $8 to drink the beer... When you consider that you could get six 5 ounce samples, it's not a half-bad deal for decent beer. Unfortunately, it was too crowded to enjoy. Much too college frat party, as noted earlier...and during the tour, someone passed out. Altogether, not a wonderful experience.
It should be noted that Sweetwater has a small restaurant and bar in the Atlanta International Airport. That experience was more enjoyable. While waiting for a flight, we got some decent hummus and some beer. The one thing that I really have to give props on is their beer naming. They do a pretty good job of that, and they're pretty funny too. Example: the catchphrase for the Georgia Brown is "More smooth than a Bill Clinton apology." WIN!
Old Mecklenburg Brewery - Charlotte, NC
One place that knows how to give a brewery tour is the Old Mecklenburg Brewery. It's been our favorite tour so far. Old Mecklenburg is located in Charlotte, NC, and is a small brewery that services only the Charlotte and neighboring areas. Their big claim here is to follow German beer purity laws, which they do to an exacting degree. Thanks to a unique twist of fate, my wife and I ended up getting a personal tour of the brewery and brew process they use there. First off, the beer is good, which is always an important way to start a brewery tour. Second for me is the ingenuity this place represented. Throughout the tour, the co-owner and brewmaster pointed out a few small components to us - the blow off system for the fermentation tanks and the bottle cleaning system they used were both designed and built in-house with the idea to make things as simple as possible. There was a very pronounced home brewing, do-it-yourself feel to the entire process. No need to get fancy, with the beer or the equipment, keep it simple, keep it pure, and make it good.
Aiken Brewing Company - Aiken, SC
The brewpub is probably up there as one of my favorite inventions - small breweries combining locally brewed beer with fresh food. Starting off closest to home is the Aiken Brewing Company in Aiken, SC. I think this place has a great food/beer balance. The beer is all good, representing a broad spectrum of tastes and styles the best probably being the Thoroughbred Red. Their food is pretty standard pub fare, focusing on burgers and fries as the staples but it always packs a quality punch.
Moon River Brewing Company - Savannah, GA
The next stop on our tour is in one of my favorite cities to visit. Savannah, GA is home to Moon River Brewing and has become a necessary stop on each trip to the city. The brews are always tasty and full of flavor and the food - again traditional bar food - packs some good flavor as well. Plus, since Savannah is an open container city, never forget to get one to-go as you are leaving to go walk the city market or the riverfront. Nothing recharges me for a day of sightseeing more than being able to walk down the street with a refreshing microbrew in my hand. The Skunk-Ape Stout is my brew of choice (though I often have whatever seasonal they have on tap as well.) I have also heard quite a few good things about the Swamp Fox IPA.
Southend Brewery - Charleston, SC
I lived in Charleston for over a year and yet somehow had never been to the Southend Brewery until a recent trip with my wife. When it comes to beer, we preferred the darker brews... but then I almost always do. Their darker beers seemed much more flavorful and aroma-intensive while the lighter brews seemed almost like an effort not to frighten away your average Miller, Coors, or Bud Light drinker. On the food side, this place is part of a mini chain of restaurants in the Charleston area that all manage to produce some pretty good food and this place is no exception.
5 Seasons - Atlanta, GA
5 Seasons in Atlanta GA is a small chain of brewpubs that are riding the trend of organic food all the way to organic beer. First off, it should be noted that most beer brewed is organic. The same goes for wine, as any pesticides would be likely to impart its flavors into the brew. Sometimes pesticides may be used in the growing of the grain but chances are your favorite microbrew is organic and just doesn’t make the claim to be so since its by nature ridiculous. With that said, they make good beer, and good food, too. My wife goes crazy for the fries whenever we go there and the food and beer never seem to disappoint. This is one of those places that I wished I lived closer to, they always seem to be opening a new cask of brew and trying different small batches, I just never happen to be there for it.
Max Lagers - Atlanta, GA
Finally, and yes I mean finally, is Max Lagers in Atlanta,GA. I hate to write anything about this one, because really I barely remember going there. Not that I was intoxicated at all or even tired. My wife and I went it, had a decent meal, each had one of their beers on tap. With all of that, I left and couldn’t tell you anything about the beer or the food other than it was okay. It wasn’t bad at all, but it was just unmemorable and that is something too.
Coming Soon....
Now we get to my favorite part, my wish list! Here it is, in no particular order, except for what order they popped into my head...
Terrapin in Athens, GA tops the list, if for no other reason than it is the closest and somehow I have never been there. I feel almost like I am letting the reader down by admitting that there is a top notch brewery less than two hours away and I’ve never even been near it. Next is RJ Rockers in Spartanburg, SC. I must admit this one is probably the one I am looking forward to most, simply because every time I have one of their brews I find more and more about it that I like. I started with their Son of a Peach ale which is an unfiltered wheat ale and packs a powerful peach flavor without being overbearing at all. It just tastes exactly like what it sounds, and I kinda dig that. They also have the Bell Ringer which is their high gravity offering. Recently, I tried the Patriot Ale and found that just like the others... this one was full of good hop flavor left me feeling like I wanted another one...the way any good beer should.
The next one is cheating, and I admit that. My wife and I are planning a trip in the near future to Asheville, NC and I was given the simple task of deciding what breweries I wanted to go to. Needless to say, this little project has me stumped... After days of googling, I am only more confused. Should I go for the small local places, or go for more like Highland? I like Highland beer; their oatmeal stout always makes the list as one of the better ones I have had. Even now writing this I can only say that I am more confused than ever. She has suggested a brew city tour which is probably what I will end up picking so I don’t have to limit myself beyond that. And that way I can try several and not limit myself when not required.
Thomas Creek Brewery is another one that is nearby and I have tried, and enjoyed several of their brews, so it would be lacking on my part if I didn’t list them here.
The last one popped into my head and doesn’t even qualify, but a place with over 200 beers cannot be left off any beer lover's list. The Flying Saucer in Columbia, SC will have to be on the agenda again sometime soon because after one visit my wife had a couple samplers and I had 3 of their brews, meaning I still have more than 197 to try, and that is just unacceptable.
With all of that said, my next brew is in the brew pot and shouldn’t be neglected...
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