The best breweries in Atlanta have made the city an under the radar beer destination. As the city continues to embrace the craft beer movement, a surge of local breweries has emerged, each bringing its unique flavors and styles to the table. Unfortunately, they can close as fast as new ones open (RIP Biggerstaff, Steady Hand, torched Hop, and Best End which all recently closed).
Atlanta’s beer scene is building upon diversity, with black-owned breweries, varying styles of beer, and even ones that make spirits, hard seltzer, and spiked coconut water.
The city is home to an impressive variety of breweries, each with a distinctive character and beer selection. Dive into my list below to discover Atlanta’s best breweries and go on a beer journey throughout a range of neighborhoods.
1. Bold Monk Brewing Co.
Bold Monk Brewing Co. in Underwood Hills offers a diverse range of beers for all tastes and seasons, featuring lagers, saisons, Irish stout, and bourbon barrel-aged Russian Imperial stout. The Atlanta brewpub boasts a spacious setting with two floors of seating and an outdoor beer garden offering shade for warmer days and fire pits for cooler evenings. Its food menu encompasses Belgian fries, steak frites, lamb burgers, and grain bowls, blending Belgian, southern comfort, and California fresh flavors.
Beyond being a brewery, Bold Monk also serves local wine, craft cocktails, and artisanal coffee, making it a versatile destination for everyone.
The brewery’s commitment to community and hospitality, along with its exceptional Belgian-inspired beers and culinary offerings, position Bold Monk as one of Atlanta’s premier breweries, providing a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for friends and family to gather and enjoy.
Highlights include the 7.3% ABV Discipline Dubbel with notes of toasted bread and brandied cherry, and the 8.8% ABV The Way Tripel, perfect for fall. The establishment’s ambiance, including a library, and the variety of seating options, contribute to the overall exceptional experience.
2. Scofflaw Brewing Co.
Scofflaw Brewing Co., established in 2016 by Matt Shirah and Brewmaster Travis Herman, has rapidly become a prominent name in Atlanta’s craft beer scene. The brewery’s origins trace back to the basement of Shirah’s mother-in-law’s home, where the founders began experimenting with brewing techniques. This humble beginning inspired their flagship beer, the “Basement IPA,” a juicy and dank IPA loaded with Citra hops.
Scofflaw’s main facility features an 18,000 square-foot brewery and taproom. The taproom offers over 20 beers on tap, including their core lineup and experimental brews. The space is designed to foster community engagement, featuring long communal tables and board games to encourage interaction among patrons.
In addition to their original location, Scofflaw expanded to “Dr. Scofflaw’s Laboratory” at The Works on Chattahoochee Row, a development that features residential apartments, shopping, and outdoor spaces with frequent family activities. So, you can walk around with your beer, relax, and enjoy the live music or community events.
3. Three Taverns
The story of Three Taverns began nearly 20 years before its founding, when three friends took a European road trip and ended up in Belgium. This is where one of those three, Brian Purcell, was introduced to beer brewed by Trappist monks. Years later he moved to Decatur, where he became a regular at Brick Store Pub (this is also one of my favorite spots in Decatur) where a glass of Le Trappe beer stirred his memories of the road trip.
In 2013, he opened the main location of Tree Taverns Brewery in Decatur, known as the Parlour. it has long communal tables, outdoor games like cornhole, and occasional food trucks create a vibrant and social vibe. They opened a second location in 2020 known as the The Imaginarium, dedicated to showcases a rotating lineup of experimental brews.
They have diversified offerings that include IPAs, sours, and other experimental brews. But remaining true to its roots, Three Taverns Brewing maintains a strong focus on Belgian inspired ales, which include:
- Theophan the Recluse: A bold and complex Belgian-inspired Russian Imperial Stout with rich malt flavors.
- A Night in Brussels: A Belgian-style IPA, blending the fruity, spicy yeast profile of a Belgian ale with American hop flavors.
- New Morning: A Belgian-style Witbier with a bright, citrusy character and subtle spice notes from coriander and orange peel.
4. New Realm Brewing Co.
New Realm Brewing was founded Mitch Steele, a well-known brewmaster formerly with Stone Brewing and two others in 2016. This flagship location lies along the Eastside Beltline and serves as the brewery’s headquarters with a spacious taproom, beer garden, and restaurant.
Its success as one of the best breweries in Atlanta has led to the opening of two smaller locations in Virgina beach and Charleston. Each location features New Realm’s flagship beers, such as Hazy Like a Fox IPA, Tyrannosaurus Flex Imperial IPA, and Euphonia Pilsner. But other selections can vary.
5. SweetWater Brewing
Sweetwater Brewing Company, established in 1997, is now one of the leading craft breweries in the US. It’s the largest and best known Atlanta brewery, and should rank among your
is a must-visit gem in Atlanta’s beer scene. Its extensive beer selection includes perennial favorites, seasonal brews, experimental barrel-aged and sour beers, and electrolyte-infused hard seltzers. The brewery’s Midtown location is a complex featuring the Woodlands Project for barrel aging, a redesigned taproom, live music stage, cornhole field, full merchandise store, and a pet-friendly patio.
Besides its renowned 420 Extra Pale Ale, Sweetwater offers a diverse range of IPAs, stouts, lagers, and acquisitions from breweries like Alpine and Green Flash. Its innovative creations, like the golden sour Cambium American wild ale, showcase its brewing expertise. With an array of exciting options, including the 420 Strain series and surprising gems like the Almond Milk Stout, Sweetwater Brewing Company stands out as one of Atlanta’s best breweries.
6. Fire Maker Brewing Co
Fire Maker Brewing Company, a rapidly acclaimed brewery in Atlanta’s Westside Brewery District since its 2020 debut, has solidified itself as a top choice among locals and beer enthusiasts alike. Recognized as the #2 Best New Brewery in America by USA Today, Fire Maker offers a diverse array of brews, including standouts like Hazed and Blazed IPA, Royal Velvet saison, and Bedfordshire Barleywine.
The brewery impresses with a broad selection of over 30 taps, covering beers, seltzers, cocktails, and ciders, catering to varied preferences. Its spacious taproom, with a dog-friendly patio and a beer garden, provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the brews while watching games on multiple screens.
Fire Maker Brewing Company’s successful interpretations of classic styles, mural work by local artist Jordan Atkinson, and culinary partnership with Scoville Hot Chicken contribute to its status as a go-to destination for diverse and quality beer offerings in Atlanta.
7. Monday Night Brewing
Monday Night Brewing, a pioneer in the Atlanta craft beer scene, stands strong with locations in West End and West Midtown, both boasting spacious taprooms and regular food truck pop-ups.
Known for its superbly brewed standards like saisons, ales, and barrel-aged stouts, these outlets shine with specialty offerings like the decadent imperial stout, Fistful of Cake: Double Fudge Chocolate, part of its Black Tie Series.
The West Midtown Hop Hut is a go-to for incredibly fresh, experimental IPAs, showcasing Brewmaster Peter Kiley’s creativity with three-times dry hopped IPAs.
Meanwhile, the Garage location on the Westside Beltline trail in West End is revered for its funkier options, including the 13% mocha latte-inspired Tiger That Killed My Father Maple Bourbon Barrel and the ten-year anniversary beer, the 13.6% ABV Tie X On, a barrel-aged strong ale in the making for over four years.
Monday Night Brewing’s award-winning reputation and diverse beer selection, ranging from hop-forward to fruit-forward and easy-sipping brews, cement its status as a top choice for beer enthusiasts in Atlanta.
8. Wild Heaven
Wild Heaven Beer, one of the pioneering breweries in Atlanta, stands out in thanks to its iconic Emergency Drinking Beer, a Pilsner-style Session Ale which is a citywide favorite and pairs perfectly with the brewery’s lemon pepper wings.
Beyond the beloved pilsner, Wild Heaven offers an array of beers, including seasonal variations like berry blend, citrus blend, tropical blend, and watermelon blend, appealing to diverse tastes. Its Eschaton, a Belgian-style Quadrupel Ale, caters to those seeking heavier, maltier brews.
This West End taproom features a dog-friendly patio and a hearty menu, making Wild Heaven a prime destination that combines European traditions with American innovation.
9. Hippin Hops Brewery
Hippin Hops Brewery, established in 2021, holds the distinction of being Georgia’s first Black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery. Located in the East Atlanta Village neighborhood, the brewery offers a unique combination of craft beers and a seafood-focused menu.
This establishment offers a vibrant ambiance where beer enthusiasts and food aficionados can revel in a range of fresh brews, from sours and IPAs to seasonal ales and creatively frozen concoctions like peach sour-infused tropical colada and mango margarita. Notable beers include The Cookout, Skrawberri, Hater-aid, and Black Don’t Crack, showcasing the fusion of African-American culture with beer.
The brewery features both indoor and outdoor seating, an oyster bar, a full menu with Southern delights like po-boys, and lively games like Jenga and cornhole, providing a comprehensive social experience. Additionally, Hippin’ Hops Brewery offers an enticing array of seafood, Cajun shrimp deviled eggs, gator bites, and more, making it a must-visit spot where great beer, delightful food, and a welcoming atmosphere coalesce.
10. Round Trip Brewing Co
Round Trip Brewing Company, a new addition to Atlanta’s brewing scene since 2021, stands out for its diverse German-style beers, both traditional and innovative.
The brewery emphasizes collaboration, evident in creations like the Schwarzfÿre Schwarzbier, a result of its partnership with Fire Maker Brewing. Head brewer Craig Mycoskie, with a penchant for German-style beers and prior experience in Denver, Austin, and even SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta, leads the brewing efforts.
This Atlanta brewery offers a spacious outdoor seating area adorned with string lights, a 12-tap tasting room, and a 15-barrel brewhouse. Its beer selection, ranging from dunkel and keller pilsner to West Coast IPA, showcases its commitment to German brewing styles while embracing diversity.
Weekly events and a regular rotation of food trucks also make it an engaging and inviting destination for beer enthusiasts in Atlanta.
11. Wild Leap Atlanta
Wild Leap began when the two friends took a “wild leap” and left their corporate jobs to team up with a talented brewer. They restored a former Westbrook Service & Tire Co building in LaGrange and opened doors to the brewery in 2017.
Wild Leap quickly became known for its creativity and high-quality beers, including the popular Alpha Abstraction series, which features a rotating selection of double IPAs. And in 2019, they gained national recognition, winning USA Today’s Best New Brewery in America award. They soon expanded their offerings to include spirits and hard seltzers, which helped them survive pandemic shutdowns in 2020 by offering cocktails-to-go with curbside pickup.
In 2022, Wild Leap was able to expand to downtown Atlanta, opening a second location just steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. This large, multi-level brewery and event space is now one of the best bars for before and after football games, concerts, and other events.
12. Atlantucky Brewing
Atlantucky Brewing is a Black-owned brewery in Atlanta, established by members of the Southern rap group Nappy Roots. The name “Atlantucky” reflects the group’s connections to both Atlanta, Georgia, and Kentucky.
The brewery features a central bar serving a variety of craft beers, including pale ales, IPAs, hefeweizens, and stouts. They also host weekly pop-up kitchens and there’s a stage for live performances, occasionally featuring Nappy Roots and other artists.
13. Halfway Crooks Beer
Halfway Crooks Beer is an Atlanta brewery known for its inventive and diverse beer selection, inspired by traditional lagers and Belgian influenced beers.
The brewery, located in Summerhill, offers a tasting room, two bars, and an outdoor beer garden with food pop-ups on weekends. It has garnered a following for its brewing process, minimalist branding, and retro-modern design aesthetic.
Apart from exceptional beers, it also offer a substantial food menu with highlights like pork belly sandwiches and Belgian beer-braised beef-topped Stoof Fries.
The ’80s tech-themed ambiance and devoted following showcase Halfway Crooks’ quick rise in Atlanta’s beer scene, emphasizing drinkability and an exciting range of beer styles.
14. Arches Brewing
After eight years at their original location in Hapeville, Arches Brewing relocated to nearby East Point. But it’s still just a stone’s throw from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL), so if you have a long layover then you could make a go at it. They even partnered with Cultured South Fermenting co to offer a lineup of Golda Kombucha flavors.
Arches Brewing has a focus on classic lagers but also offers up some American styles along with several Euro-inspired ales. Noteworthy options include:
Mexican Empire: A Vienna-style lager with a dark amber hue, featuring a rich malt profile with notes of toasted bread and caramel. This beer has been highly rated, receiving a ‘World Class’ designation from Beer Connoisseur.
Southside Lager: An American amber lager that balances malty sweetness with floral, noble hop bitterness. Recognized as ‘World Class’ by Beer Connoisseur.
Queen’s Weiss: A Hefeweizen with a light body, subtle noble hop bitterness, and yeast profiles of banana, bubblegum, and clove.
15. Cultured South Fermentation Co
I have to include one that isn’t’ beer. Cultured South Fermentation Co. was founded by Melanie Wade as a 1,200-square-foot kombucha taproom and fermentation marketplace in Atlanta. It’s a must go spot for kombucha enthusiasts, offering a wide array of her Golda Kombucha flavors on tap such as lavender lemon, peach ginger, elderberry thyme, and recently, a grapefruit rosemary variant infused with CBD. The options are versatile, available in pints, flights, tastes, growlers, and even gelato floats.
Additionally, Cultured South provides a diverse range of fermented, probiotic-rich foods, including Pure Abundance vegan cheeses, kefir water, and jun. The taproom ensures a holistic experience by offering local snacks, cheeseboards with local preserves and pickles, and Banjo Cold Brew Coffee for those seeking a caffeine boost.
