Best 13 Breweries in Atlanta GA: Our Top Picks for Craft Beer Lovers

ByAnthony Smith Last Updated:

Atlanta, Georgia is home to some of the best breweries in the country. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just looking for a fun place to hang out with friends, the metro area has plenty of options to choose from. From classic breweries like Sweetwater Brewing Company to newer spots like Schoolhouse Brewing, there’s something for everyone in Atlanta.

One of the most popular breweries in Atlanta is Sweetwater Brewing Company. Founded in 1997, Sweetwater has become a staple in the craft beer scene and is now known as one of the top breweries in the country. Their flagship beer, Sweetwater 420, is a must-try for any beer lover in Atlanta.

Another great option for beer enthusiasts is Schoolhouse Brewing. Owned by former teachers and home brewers Thomas Monti and Justin Waller, Schoolhouse is an “open-sourced” brewery that offers a wide variety of beers. With its welcoming atmosphere and delicious brews, Schoolhouse is a great spot to spend an afternoon or evening with friends.

History of Atlanta’s Craft Beer Scene

Atlanta’s craft beer scene has come a long way since the opening of Marthasville Brewing Co. in 1993, which was the first contemporary craft brewery in Atlanta until its closure in 1997. Red Brick Brewing Co. (formerly Atlanta Brewing Co.) began production four years before SweetWater Brewing Company opened its doors in 1997, making it Georgia’s oldest operating craft brewery.

Since then, the craft beer scene in Atlanta has exploded, with new breweries opening almost every year. In 2023, Atlanta is home to over 20 breweries, each with its unique brewing style and atmosphere.

One of the most well-known breweries in Atlanta is SweetWater Brewing Company, which has been crafting delicious brews since 1997 and is now known as one of the top craft breweries in the US. Another must-visit spot for any beer lover in Atlanta is Monday Night Brewing, which has three locations in the city and offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours.

The craft beer scene in Atlanta is not just limited to the city itself. There are also many breweries in the surrounding metro area, such as Good Word Brewing & Public House in Duluth, Outrun Brewing Co. in Stone Mountain, Arches Brewing in Hapeville, and Sceptre Brewing Arts in Decatur.

Top Atlanta Breweries

Monday Night Brewing

Monday Night Brewing is a popular brewery in Atlanta, known for its creative and unique beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Slap Fight IPA, the Blind Pirate Blood Orange IPA, and the Han Brolo Pale Ale.

Website: http://www.mondaynightbrewing.com/

Address: 670 Trabert Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

Wild Heaven Beer

Wild Heaven Beer is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, Belgian-style beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Emergency Drinking Beer, the Wise Blood IPA, and the White Blackbird Belgian-style White Ale.

Website: http://wildheavenbeer.com/

Address: 135B Maple St, Avondale Estates, GA 30002, United States

Arches Brewing

Arches Brewing is a brewery that specializes in creating traditional European-style beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including lagers, pilsners, and stouts. Some of their popular beers include the Southside Lager, the Queen’s Weiss Hefeweizen, and the Mexican Empire Vienna-style Lager.

Website: http://www.archesbrewing.com/

Address: 3361 Dogwood Dr, Hapeville, GA 30354, United States

New Realm Brewing

© Luis Felipe Mameri 2020

New Realm Brewing is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, innovative beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Hazy Like A Fox IPA, the Radegast Triple IPA, and the Euphonia Pilsner.

Website: https://newrealmbrewing.com/atlanta/

Address: 550 Somerset Terrace NE #101, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States

Bold Monk Brewing

Bold Monk Brewing is a brewery that focuses on creating Belgian-style beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Monk’s Prayer Belgian Dubbel, the Hazy Halo IPA, and the St. Bernard’s Weizenbock.

Website: https://www.boldmonkbrewingco.com/

Address: 1737 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW suite d-1, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

Halfway Crooks

Halfway Crooks is a brewery that focuses on creating German-style beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including lagers, pilsners, and ales. Some of their popular beers include the Good Times Pilsner, the American Wheat Ale, and the Berliner Weisse.

Website: https://www.halfwaycrooks.beer/

Address: 60 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States

Sweetwater Brewing

Sweetwater Brewing is a popular brewery in Atlanta, known for its creative and unique beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the 420 Extra Pale Ale, the G13 IPA, and the Peach Love & Happiness.

Website: https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/

Address: 195 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, United States

Reformation Brewery

Reformation Brewery is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, traditional beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including lagers, ales, and stouts. Some of their popular beers include the Cadence Belgian-style Dubbel, the Haddy Belgian-style White Ale, and the Stark Toasted Porter.

Website: https://reformationbrewery.com/

Address: 6255 Riverview Rd SE building 4000 suite 200, Smyrna, GA 30126, United States

Eventide Brewing

Eventide Brewing is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, innovative beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Kolsch-style Ale, the Citrus Grove Hazy IPA, and the Dry Hopped Sour.

Website: http://www.eventidebrewing.com/

Address: 1015 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, United States

Fire Maker Brewing

Fire Maker Brewing is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, unique beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Fire Maker IPA, the Cosmic Dancer Double IPA, and the Mocha Java Stout.

Website: https://www.firemakerbeer.com/

Address: 975 Chattahoochee Ave NW Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

Scofflaw Brewing Co

Scofflaw Brewing Co. is a popular brewery in Atlanta, known for its creative and unique beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Basement IPA, the Hooligan Hops Double IPA, and the Interrogation Coffee Milk Stout.

Website: http://www.scofflawbeer.com/

Address: 1738 MacArthur Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

Three Taverns

Three Taverns is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, Belgian-style beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the A Night In Brussels IPA, the Prince of Pilsen Pilsner, and the Rapturous Raspberry Sour Ale.

Website: https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium

Address: 777 Memorial Dr SE Suite B103, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States

Best End Brewing

Best End Brewing is a brewery that focuses on creating high-quality, unique beers. The brewery has a taproom that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Some of their popular beers include the Best End IPA, the Ode To Joy Imperial Stout, and the Peachy Keen Sour Ale.

Website: https://www.bestendbrewing.com/

Address: 1036 White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, United States

Popular Beer Styles in Atlanta

Atlanta is home to a diverse range of beer styles that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you are a fan of IPAs, lagers, stouts, sour beers, porters, pilsners, saisons, Irish stout, Russian imperial stout, barrel-aged beers, hard seltzers, or basement IPAs, you will find something to suit your palate in Atlanta.

IPAs

IPAs are one of the most popular beer styles in Atlanta, and for good reason. They are often characterized by their hoppy and bitter taste, which is balanced by a malty sweetness. Some of the best IPAs in Atlanta include the Transmigration of Souls Double IPA from Orpheus Brewing, the Basement IPA from Monday Night Brewing, and the Tropicalia IPA from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Lagers

Lagers are another popular beer style in Atlanta, and they are known for their crisp and clean taste. Some of the best lagers in Atlanta include the Classic City Lager from Creature Comforts Brewing Co, the Hootie Hoo Pilsner from Monday Night Brewing, and the Mexican Lager from Wild Heaven Beer.

Stouts

Stouts are a dark and rich beer style that is perfect for those who prefer a full-bodied and robust taste. Some of the best stouts in Atlanta include the Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout from Terrapin Beer Co, the Nitro Irish Stout from Guinness Open Gate Brewery, and the Sceptre Brewing Arts’ Imperial Stout.

Sour Beers

Sour beers are a unique beer style that is gaining popularity in Atlanta. They are characterized by their tart and acidic taste, which is often balanced by a fruity sweetness. Some of the best sour beers in Atlanta include the Athena Berliner Weisse from Creature Comforts Brewing Co, the Serpent Bite Sour from Orpheus Brewing, and the Guava Sour from Wild Leap Brew Co.

Barrel-Aged Beers

Barrel-aged beers are a special beer style that is aged in barrels, which gives them a distinct flavor and aroma. Some of the best barrel-aged beers in Atlanta include the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale from Monday Night Brewing, the Barrel-Aged Drafty Kilt from Wild Heaven Beer, and the Barrel-Aged Saison from Three Taverns Craft Brewery.

Hard Seltzers

Hard seltzers are a refreshing and low-calorie alternative to beer that is gaining popularity in Atlanta. Some of the best hard seltzers in Atlanta include the Wild Leap Vodka Seltzer, the Monday Night Brewing Hard Seltzer, and the Scofflaw Hard Seltzer.

Unique Brewery Experiences

Atlanta is home to a diverse range of breweries that offer unique experiences to beer lovers. From taprooms to brewpubs, tasting rooms to outdoor patios, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the most unique brewery experiences in Atlanta:

Grant Park’s Brewpub

Grant Park’s Brewpub is a popular spot for beer enthusiasts who want to enjoy a cold brew and a delicious meal. The brewery offers a full food menu, with dishes inspired by Southern and American cuisine. Visitors can enjoy beers on tap, including seasonal and limited-edition brews. The outdoor patio is a great place to relax and enjoy a cold beer on a warm day.

West Midtown’s Tasting Room

West Midtown’s Tasting Room is a unique brewery experience that offers visitors a chance to sample a variety of beers in a relaxed setting. The tasting room features a rotating selection of beers on tap, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Visitors can also enjoy food pop-ups and cornhole games on the outdoor patio.

Avondale Estates’ Brewery

Avondale Estates’ Brewery is a popular spot for beer lovers who want to enjoy a cold brew in a laid-back setting. The brewery features a taproom with a variety of beers on tap, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks and pop-up events.

Downtown Woodstock’s Beer Garden

Downtown Woodstock’s Beer Garden is a unique brewery experience that offers visitors a chance to enjoy a cold brew in a beautiful outdoor setting. The beer garden features a variety of beers on tap, including seasonal and limited-edition brews. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks and live music.

Overall, Atlanta’s breweries offer a wide range of unique experiences for beer lovers. Whether you’re looking for a taproom, brewpub, or outdoor patio, there is something for everyone. Be sure to check out the breweries’ newsletters and maps to stay up-to-date on the latest events and offerings.

Year-round and Seasonal Beers

Atlanta is home to a variety of breweries that offer a wide range of beers, including year-round favorites and seasonal brews. Some of the most popular year-round beers include:

  • Emergency Drinking Beer by Wild Heaven Beer: This light lager is perfect for any occasion and is a favorite among locals. It has a crisp, clean taste and is easy to drink.
  • Stark Toasted Porter by Monday Night Brewing: This rich, dark beer has hints of chocolate and coffee and is perfect for colder months. It has a smooth, velvety finish and is a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
  • 420 Extra Pale Ale by SweetWater Brewing Company: This hoppy beer has a citrusy aroma and a crisp, refreshing taste. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a bitter beer with a little bit of sweetness.

In addition to these year-round favorites, many breweries in Atlanta offer seasonal brews that are only available for a limited time. Some popular seasonal beers include:

  • Pumpkin Ale by Red Brick Brewing Company: This beer is brewed with real pumpkin and spices and is perfect for fall. It has a sweet, spicy taste and is a favorite among pumpkin lovers.
  • Winter Warmer by Three Taverns Craft Brewery: This beer is perfect for colder months and has a rich, warming taste. It has hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla and is perfect for sipping by the fire.
  • Spring IPA by Second Self Beer Company: This hoppy beer is perfect for spring and has a fruity, floral taste. It’s a favorite among those who enjoy a bitter beer with a little bit of sweetness.

No matter what your taste in beer, Atlanta’s breweries have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a year-round favorite or a seasonal brew, you’re sure to find a beer that you love. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try brewing your own beer at home? Many breweries offer recipes for their most popular beers so you can try your hand at brewing your own delicious beer.