Best 11 Breweries in Georgia: Our Top Picks for Craft Beer Lovers
Georgia is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with numerous breweries scattered throughout the state. Whether you are a local or a visitor, exploring the best breweries in Georgia is a must-do activity. From small, family-owned operations to larger establishments, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the variety of styles and flavors available at Georgia’s breweries. From classic IPAs and stouts to seasonal ales and experimental blends, there is always something new to try. Many breweries offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to learn about the brewing process and sample some of the freshest beer available.
If you are looking to experience the best of Georgia’s craft beer scene, be sure to check out some of the state’s top breweries. With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find a new favorite beer or brewery. So grab a pint, sit back, and enjoy all that Georgia’s breweries have to offer.
The Craft Beer Scene in Georgia
Georgia’s craft beer scene has exploded over the last decade, with the city of Atlanta and the surrounding metro area seeing new breweries opening nearly every year. The state has become a hub for craft beer lovers, with a variety of local breweries offering unique and flavorful brews.
Craft beer enthusiasts will find a diverse range of styles, from IPAs to stouts, and everything in between. Georgia’s craft breweries are also known for their use of local ingredients, such as peaches and pecans, to create distinct and delicious flavors.
Atlanta is home to some of the state’s most popular breweries, including SweetWater Brewing Company, which has been a staple of the Georgia craft beer scene since it opened in 1997. Other notable breweries in the city include Monday Night Brewing, Scofflaw Brewing Company, and Wild Heaven Beer.
Outside of Atlanta, there are plenty of other local breweries worth checking out. Jekyll Brewing Company, located in the northern suburb of Alpharetta, has paved the way for craft breweries in the area. Reformation Brewery, located in Woodstock, is known for its Belgian-style beers and unique taproom experience.
Notable Breweries in Georgia
Reformation Brewery
Reformation Brewery has three locations in Georgia, including Woodstock, Canton, and Smyrna. The brewery offers a variety of monthly theme nights, such as books and board games, making it a fun hangout and community center. Reformation Brewery is known for its Belgian-style beers, including the Cadence Belgian Dubbel and the Jude Belgian Tripel.
Website: https://reformationbrewery.com/
Address 1: 105 Elm St, Woodstock, GA 30188, United States
Address 2: 225 Reformation Pkwy Suite 500, Canton, GA 30114, United States
Address 3: 6255 Riverview Rd SE building 4000 suite 200, Smyrna, GA 30126, United States
Creature Comforts Brewing Co
Located in Athens, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. is a popular brewery that has won numerous awards for its craft beers. The brewery offers a wide variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. Creature Comforts Brewing Co is known for its flagship beer, the Tropicalia IPA, which is made with a blend of five different hops.
Website: https://creaturecomfortsbeer.com/stories/
Address: 271 W. Hancock Ave. Athens, GA 30601
Sweetwater Brewing Company
Sweetwater Brewing Company is one of the largest breweries in Georgia, with locations in Atlanta and Gainesville. The brewery is known for its 420 Extra Pale Ale, which is made with a blend of two-row and caramel malt and four different types of hops. In addition to its flagship beer, Sweetwater Brewing Company offers a wide variety of seasonal and limited edition beers.
Website: https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/
Address: 195 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, United States
Terrapin Beer Co
Terrapin Beer Co. is located in Athens and offers a wide variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Hopsecutioner IPA, which is made with six different types of hops. Terrapin Beer Co also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, including the Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout.
Website: https://www.terrapinbeer.com/verify-age
Address: 265 Newton Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30607, USA
Jekyll Brewing
Jekyll Brewing is located in Alpharetta and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Hop Dang Diggity IPA, which is made with a blend of five different hops. Jekyll Brewing also offers a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers, including the Southern Juice IPA.
Website: https://www.jekyllbrewing.com/
Address: 2855 Marconi Dr #350, Alpharetta, GA 30005, United States
Wild Leap Brew
Wild Leap Brew is located in LaGrange and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Alpha Abstraction Double IPA, which is made with a blend of six different hops. Wild Leap Brew also offers a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers, including the Truck Chaser Creamsicle IPA.
Website: https://wildleap.com/
Address: 308 Main St, LaGrange, GA 30240, United States
Arches Brewing
Arches Brewing is located in Hapeville and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Mexican Empire Vienna Lager, which is made with a blend of two-row and Vienna malts. Arches Brewing also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, including the Queen’s Weiss Berliner Weisse.
Website: http://www.archesbrewing.com/
Address: 3361 Dogwood Dr, Hapeville, GA 30354, United States
Hippin’ Hops Brewery & Oyster Bar
Hippin’ Hops Brewery & Oyster Bar is located in Brunswick and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Hippin’ Hops IPA, which is made with a blend of four different hops. Hippin’ Hops Brewery & Oyster Bar also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, including the Oyster Stout.
Website: http://www.hippinhopsbrewery.com/
Address: 1308 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, United State
Moon River
Moon River is located in Savannah and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Swamp Fox IPA, which is made with a blend of four different hops. Moon River also offers a variety of seasonal and limited-edition beers, including the Dixie Kristallweizen.
Website: https://moonriverbrewing.com/
Address: 21 W Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401, United States
Silver Bluff
Silver Bluff is located in Brunswick and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Silver Bluff IPA, which is made with a blend of three different hops. Silver Bluff also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, including the Blueberry Wheat.
Website: https://silverbluff.com/
Address: 1325 Newcastle St, Brunswick, GA 31520, United States
Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Grumpy Old Men Brewing is located in Blue Ridge and offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. The brewery is known for its Aska Pale Ale, which is made with a blend of two-row and crystal malts and two different hops. Grumpy Old Men Brewing also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, including the Hell’s Holler Porter.
Website: http://www.grumpyoldmenbrewing.com/
Address: 1315 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, United States
Beer Varieties and Specialties
Georgia is home to many breweries that offer a wide variety of beer styles. From IPAs to lagers, sours to stouts, and pilsners to Russian imperial stouts, there is something for everyone.
IPAs are one of the most popular beer styles in Georgia, with many breweries offering their own unique take on the classic India Pale Ale. Some notable examples include Creature Comforts’ Tropicália IPA, which is brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops, and SweetWater’s 420 Extra Pale Ale, which is a West Coast-style IPA with a citrusy and piney flavor.
Lagers are another popular style of beer in Georgia, with many breweries offering their own unique take on the classic German-style lager. Some notable examples include Monday Night Brewing’s “I’m On A Boat” Czech-style Pilsner, which is a crisp and refreshing beer with a light malt flavor, and Variant Brewing Company’s “Sudice” Czech-style Dark Lager, which is a dark and malty beer with a smooth finish.
Sours are a relatively new style of beer in Georgia, but they are quickly gaining popularity. Some notable examples include Wild Leap Brew Co.’s “Chance” Sour Ale, which is brewed with peaches and raspberries for a tart and fruity flavor, and Orpheus Brewing’s “Atalanta” Sour Ale, which is brewed with plums and aged in oak barrels for a complex and tart flavor.
Stouts are a popular style of beer in Georgia, with many breweries offering their own unique take on the classic Russian imperial stout. Some notable examples include Three Taverns Brewery’s “Theophan the Recluse” Russian Imperial Stout, which is brewed with chocolate and coffee for a rich and complex flavor, and Torched Hop Brewing Company’s “Hype Whale” Russian Imperial Stout, which is aged in bourbon barrels for a smooth and boozy finish.
Fruited beers are also gaining popularity in Georgia, with many breweries experimenting with different fruit flavors. Some notable examples include Variant Brewing Company’s “Fruit Basket” fruited sour series, which features different fruit flavors in each batch, and SweetWater’s “Goin’ Coastal” Pineapple IPA, which is brewed with real pineapple for a tropical and fruity flavor.
Lastly, hard seltzers are becoming increasingly popular in Georgia, with many breweries offering their own unique take on the classic low-calorie, low-carb beverage. Some notable examples include Monday Night Brewing’s “Naturdays” Hard Seltzer, which is brewed with natural flavors for a refreshing and fruity taste, and Wild Leap Brew Co.’s “Sippin’ Pretty” Hard Seltzer, which is brewed with real fruit for a crisp and clean finish.
Brewery Experiences
Georgia’s breweries offer a variety of experiences for beer lovers. Many breweries have taprooms where visitors can sample different beers and enjoy live music, events, and food trucks. Some breweries also offer tours, board games, and community events.
Live music is a popular feature at many Georgia breweries. Visitors can enjoy a cold beer while listening to local musicians perform. Some breweries have live music every weekend, while others host special events throughout the year.
Taprooms are a great place to try new beers and socialize with other beer enthusiasts. Many breweries offer flights of beer, so visitors can sample several different beers at once. Some taprooms also have outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their beer in the sunshine.
Events are another popular feature at Georgia breweries. From beer festivals to charity events, breweries host a variety of events throughout the year. These events are a great way to try new beers and meet other beer lovers.
Tours are a great way to learn about the brewing process and the history of beer. Many breweries offer tours of their facilities, where visitors can see how beer is made and learn about the different ingredients that go into each brew.
Food trucks are a common sight at Georgia breweries. Visitors can enjoy a variety of food options, from tacos to barbecue, while sipping their favorite beer. Some breweries also have their own kitchens, where they serve up delicious food alongside their beer.
Board games are a fun way to pass the time at a brewery. Many breweries have a selection of board games available for visitors to play while they enjoy their beer. This is a great way to socialize with friends and meet new people.
Community events are a great way to bring people together and support local causes. Many breweries host events to raise money for charities or to support local organizations. These events are a great way to give back to the community while enjoying a cold beer.