Atlanta’s brewery scene is constantly reinventing itself, and there’s truly something for everyone. Here, you’ll find longstanding icons like SweetWater alongside self-described “nerd mead” fit for our famed Dragon Con. Plus, most taprooms offer delicious food to match—with so many flavors, styles, and atmospheres to explore, the hardest part is deciding where to start.
Consider this guide your roadmap to Atlanta’s best breweries.
SweetWater Brewing Company
The largest craft brewery in Atlanta, and one of the largest in the Southeast, SweetWater is best known for their ever-popular 420 Extra Pale Ale. The West Coast-style ale also serves as the namesake of SweetWater’s 420 Fest, an annual festival celebrating great beer, music, and giving back. For more than a decade, the brewery has supported the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and Waterkeeper Alliance—because you can’t make good beer without water. 195 Ottley Dr. NE, Atlanta, sweetwaterbrew.com
New Realm Brewing Co.
New Realm is positioned on perhaps the busiest stretch of the Eastside Beltline, but it’s entirely possible that the section is so busy because New Realm is there. The massive two-story space features ample outdoor seating with fireplaces for chillier nights, plus an Instagram story-worthy rooftop, both ideal settings for its four-nights-a-week live music and trivia events. 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Ste. 101, Atlanta, newrealmbrewing.com
Monday Night Brewing
Monday Night’s location in the historic West End, “The Garage,” is made up of two distinct spaces: a fully-functioning brewery focused on barrel-aged and sour beers (there’s even a bottling line and orchard for harvesting local fruit); and a taproom easily accessible from the Westside Beltline. A new location in West Midtown dubbed “The Grove” serves up pizza from twin Italian-built ovens, perfect for enjoying while catching a game on the 20-foot outdoor TV. 933 Lee St. SW, Atlanta, mondaynightbrewing.com
Halfway Crooks Beer
Over in foodie-heaven Summerhill, Halfway Crooks has a dog-friendly rooftop and standalone HC Biergarten shaded by elm trees just across the street. The building’s exterior is painted with quirky quips–Free air inside! No bad memories–that match the mysterious aesthetic of the brewery’s Instagram, a grid riddled with vintage-filtered Reels. Scroll enough, though, to discover posts from HC’s Run Club, which meets every Monday evening. 60 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta, halfwaycrooks.beer
Monks Meadery
Monks serves up the official mead for both Dragon Con and the Georgia Renaissance Festival, making it a nerd’s dream. Specializing in dry-style, lightly carbonated, and not-too-sweet meads, appropriately geeky varieties like “Dragon’s Nectar” and “Faerie Dew” make up the menu. Try a flight of mead for $15 at their Poncey-Highland taproom and tavern. 579 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, monksmeadery.com
Round Trip Brewing Co.
Round Trip seeks to craft “typical and üntypical” beer that both takes inspiration from and elevates traditional German styles. Order the Dunkel Platz or Oktoberfest Märzen to keep things “typical” or try an Isar Haze—a fusion of hazy IPA and Hefeweizen—for an experience that integrates German tradition into newer style. Bring the kids; there’s a great playground out in the beer garden. 1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd. NW, Atlanta, roundtripbrewing.com
The Lost Druid Brewery & Distillery
Consistently named among the city’s best breweries, the Lost Druid is woman-owned and family-operated. The Lost Druid also boasts a small-plate artisan kitchen—don’t miss the baked eggplant and dessert pretzels topped with housemade icing. Plus, a robust schedule of community events ranging from social knitting meetups to trivia night keeps things busy on the pet-friendly heated patio. 2866 Washington St., Avondale Estates, thelostdruid.com
Atlantucky Brewing
Owned by members of rap group Nappy Roots hailing from–you guessed it–Atlanta and Kentucky, Atlantucky’s Southern roots are reflected across the menu. Choose from four varieties of panini, a jerk chicken salad, and a collard Caesar to accompany your drink. Its convenient location two blocks away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium makes it the place to be before your next Falcons game or big-name concert. 170 Northside Dr. SW, Ste. 96, Atlanta, atlantucky.com
Inner Voice Brewing
Marked with a purple neon sign, you can’t miss Inner Voice’s Downtown Decatur taproom, a brightly-painted building also housing Brainwave Pizza. Pair its New York-style sourdough or bar pie with your pick from sixteen rotating taps of lagers, IPAs, and sours. You’re also steps away from some of Decatur’s best shopping on the square and live entertainment at Eddie’s Attic. 308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Ste. H, Decatur, innervoicebrewing.beer
Wild Heaven Beer & Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
Though Wild Heaven has two other locations in the city, we’re highlighting its Toco Hills outpost because it’s the only one that is also a Fox Bros Bar-B-Q. Here, the beloved Atlanta restaurant offers classic brisket and pulled pork plates smoked on site. Stop by on Mondays for half-off cocktails, then settle into the expansive taproom with three TVs or take things outside to the turfed courtyard. 2935B N. Druid Hills Rd. NE, Atlanta, wildheavenbeer.com
Bold Monk Brewing Co.
Bold Monk blends its Belgian-focused menu with a little bit of everything else. The massive two-story venue features a bookstore, coffee bar, and beer garden. Expect house-brewed dubbels and foeder-aged ales alongside Liège waffles. Upstairs, there’s comfy seating for working or lounging, while the spacious outdoor beer garden invites socializing. 1737 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Ste. D1, Atlanta, boldmonkbrewingco.com
Fire Maker Brewery & Bar
Fire Maker boasts an impressive lineup of their own beers and canned cocktails, but Georgia Southern alum will probably gravitate toward Hail Southern, a golden ale made for and by Eagles. Slushies, wine, and classic bar bites are also on the menu at this family-owned West Midtown establishment, a half-mile down the road from the Works. 975 Chattahoochee Ave. NW, Ste. A, Atlanta, firemakerbeer.com
Variant Brewing Company
New beers are added every Friday at Variant, though there are plenty of year-rounds that have stayed staples for good reason, like a hoppy Cashmere and raspberry lemon gose. Bring the pup to the patio and enjoy a bite from rotating vendors including True Street Tacos, Real Crepes, and Buen Provecho; Retro Run Club also meets here on Mondays. 66 Norcross St., Roswell, variantbrewing.com
Three Taverns Imaginarium
The original Three Taverns taproom is located in Decatur, but its second location in the bustling Atlanta Dairies complex is dedicated specifically to experimental beers. Currently on the menu: sour ales in cranberry sauce, blueberry cheesecake, and key lime pie flavors; or an oatmeal coffee Belgian-style dubbel. On Monday nights, the Imaginarium hosts trivia, and on Tuesdays, Nintendo 64 game nights. 777 Memorial Dr. SE, Ste. B103, Atlanta, threetavernsbrewery.com
Scofflaw Brewing
Scofflaw was born in its founder’s mom’s basement, but has since established itself as an Atlanta staple with its Westside taproom and second location at the Works. Still, a few IPAs here pay homage to origin with “Basement” in their names. Bring your own food, or grab a bite from one of the weekend food trucks. 1738 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Atlanta, scofflawbeer.com
SKOL Brewing Company
You can harness your inner Viking at this Downtown brewpub specializing in craft ales and Nordic-inspired food by chef Rich Rosendale. But food and drink are hardly the main event here: There are six lanes open for axe throwing, and SKOL is also a proud official watch party location for, who else, but the Minnesota Vikings. 155 Carnegie Way NW, Atlanta, skolbrew.com
