The Three Best Breweries to Try in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta may not have the brewing heritage found in places like St. Louis, Milwaukee, or Portland, but thanks to craft brewers and a love of beer, the city is quickly becoming a destination for beer tourists. With over a dozen breweries and more popping up every year, the beer landscape in Atlanta is nothing short of spectacular. If you’re searching for a place to sip the best new concoctions from the South’s foremost brew masters, make sure to check out a few of these amazing, thirst-quenching Atlanta breweries.

Sweetwater Brewing Company

You can’t visit Atlanta’s diverse brewing scene without a trip to Sweetwater Brewing Company. Since 1997, this brewery has been serving up some of the most creative brews in town, creating a buzz in the city and throughout the country. Today, you can find their beers from coast to coast, although they’re best enjoyed in their brewery and taphouse.

If you’re interested in the brewing process, visit Sweetwater on a Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the brewery offers behind-the-scenes tours which show you how they make each barrel of their award-winning beers. Along the way, you’ll get three 5-ounce samples of their most famous or seasonal brews, and when you get to the taphouse, you can get any of the seven year-round beers or one of the seasonal or limited release batches. Find that you’re a huge fan of Sweetwater? Don’t miss out on their annual 420 Festival that features live music, food, and nonstop helpings of their famed 420 IPA.

Eventide Brewing Company

Founded in 2011, Eventide Brewing Company is one of Atlanta’s newer brewers, but it’s already gained a loyal following for their creative, award-winning beers. Their brewery and gathering hall is huge, offering guests a chance to hang out and sample beers in the taphouse or hang outside on the patio.

Eventide currently has nine beers either on tap or from a can, ranging from a Kolsch-style ale to a dry Irish nitro stout. Whether you’re in the mood for a meal in a glass or something on the lighter side, Eventide has a brew that’s sure to satisfy your palate.

Scofflaw Brewing Company

Dedicated to craftsmanship, innovation, and expanding the beer tastes of Southerners, the Scofflaw Brewing Company is as much a work of passion as it is a brewing process. Started in the owner’s mom’s basement, the company has expanded to an 18,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2016.

One of the most interesting aspects of Scofflaw is that you’re almost certain to meet the owners while you’re sipping on one of their concoctions. Both owners love to meet their patrons, tell stories, and make sure you’re enjoying the fruits of their labor. Scofflaw is open Wednesday through Saturday, offering patrons the opportunity to look at the fermentation, kegging, and bottling facilities. The tour ends in the tasting room where you can sample the goods and buy some for yourself.

From oatmeal stout to IPAs to lagers, these Atlanta breweries have just about anything on tap you could ever want. All you need to do is gather your friends, find a designated driver, and get ready for an unforgettable occasion.