Are you looking for the best breweries in North Georgia? Craft beer has become increasingly popular in recent years, and Georgia’s bustling scene is a testament to this trend. If you’re a beer lover, exploring North Georgia’s craft beer scene is worth adding to your agenda. We have researched and visited the best breweries in the area to bring you our top picks.
As experts in the field, we can assure you that the breweries we’ll mention in this article are not to be missed. Did you know that one of our top 10 picks dates back to the 1990s and has won multiple awards for its unique flavors and techniques? Keep reading to find out which brewery it is, and get ready to add it to your list of must-visit spots in North Georgia. Here are the 10 best breweries in North Georgia.
- Grumpy Old Men Brewing
- Fannin Brewing Company
- Fightingtown Tavern
- Tantrum Brewing Company
- Talking Rock Brewery
- Reformation Brewery
- Cartecay River Brewing Co.
- SweetWater Brewing Company
- Jekyll Brewing
- Terrapin Beer Co.
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Top 10 Breweries in North Georgia
Here are some of the best beer stops in North Georgia for beer enthusiasts.
1. Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Image Source: Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Grumpy Old Men Brewing is a craft Blue Ridge brewery in North Georgia, founded in July 2013 by two retired friends. The brewery’s name pays tribute to the grumpy old men who are still young at heart and love their beer.
Some of Grumpy Old Men’s notable beers include “Aska Pale Ale,” “Hell’s Holler Porter,” and “Big Booty Black IPA.” The brewery has won multiple awards and recognitions, including the bronze medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival for their “Hell’s Holler Porter.”
2. Fannin Brewing Company
Image Source: Fannin Brewing Company
Fannin Brewing Company was established in 2002. Its founder, Tom Fennell, wanted to bring high-quality local craft beers to the mountains of North Georgia. As a result, Fannin’s brewery boasts a variety of beers, including its signature beer “Blue Ridge Lager,” its refreshing Berliner Weisse, and its smooth Rye Pale Ale.
Fannin Brewing Company has won several awards and recognition, including the “People’s Choice Award” at Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Atlanta.
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3. Fightingtown Tavern
Image Source: Fightingtown Tavern
This rustic tavern serves some of the finest brews in the region, making it a must-visit spot for beer enthusiasts. The menu features various venues, including sour beers and Berliner Weisse. The outdoor patio at Fightingtown Tavern is dog-friendly, and the indoor space is loaded with board games and fun events.
Jason Pellett, the brewer behind Fightingtown Tavern, was awarded Best Brewer at the 2019 Georgia Craft Beer Festival.
4. Tantrum Brewing Company
Image Source: Tantrum Brewing Company
Tantrum Brewing Company is one of the best family-owned local craft breweries in Cleveland, Georgia, and has served the north Georgia community since its inception in March 2018. It has a diverse list of beers, including its flagship Hopspring IPA, Alpaca Porter, and Sour Soul.
All of these are made using fresh water from the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the brewery provides an outdoor patio area that is dog- and kid-friendly, making it an ideal spot for fun events and family outings.
5. Talking Rock Brewery
Image Source: Talking Rock Brewery
Talking Rock Brewery, located on East Main Street in the small town of Talking Rock, Georgia, began as a passion project for brewer Jason Pellett. Their flagship beer is the Blue Ridge Lager, a smooth and crisp German-style lager perfect for summertime sipping.
Other notable brews include their Rye Pale Ale and Berliner Weisse. In addition, the brewery has hosted fun events such as trivia nights and offers a dog-friendly patio for enjoying its tasty beers and tasty food.
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6. Reformation Brewery
Image Source: Reformation Brewery
Founded in 2013, Reformation Brewery is one of the top breweries in North Georgia, located in Woodstock and Canton. They are known for their unique craft beers that combine traditional techniques with a modern twist.
Some notable beers include the Oren IPA, Cadence Belgian-Style Ale, and the Nolan, the Wanderer American Stout. It has won several awards, including the Best New Brewery in Georgia in 2014 and a gold medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival for its Jude Belgian Tripel.
7. Cartecay River Brewing Co.
Image Source: Cartecay River Brewing Co.
Cartecay River Brewing Co. is a family-owned and operated brewery in the North Georgia mountains. Located in the famous tourist town of Ellijay, the brewery offers a variety of tasty beers, including their popular Ellijay Lager and Appalachian Pale Ale.
In addition to its well-crafted brews, Cartecay River Brewing Co. offers an inviting atmosphere with dog-friendly outdoor seating and a cozy indoor taproom with board games and live music. The brewery has received several awards for its Cowee Stout, including a gold medal at the 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship.
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8. SweetWater Brewing Company
Image Source: SweetWater Brewing Company
SweetWater Brewing Company is a local craft brewery located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1997 by Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney, two friends who shared a passion for homebrewing. Their flagship beer is the SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, which has become a staple of their portfolio.
SweetWater has won numerous awards for its beers, including the Great American Beer Festival’s “Best Extra Special Bitter” in 2002 and the World Beer Cup’s “Gold Medal” in 2004 for its Festive Ale. The brewery also hosts regular events and tours for beer enthusiasts.
9. Jekyll Brewing
Image Source: Jekyll Brewing
Jekyll Brewing is a craft brewery based in Alpharetta, Georgia, since 2013. Michael Lundmark and Josh Rachel founded the brewery and produce a diverse selection of high-quality beers.
These range from their flagship Hop Dang Diggity IPA to their Tart Vise Berliner Weisse and a limited-edition barrel-aged barleywine. Jekyll Brewing has won several awards for its brews, including a Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2018 for its Southern Juice IPA.
10. Terrapin Beer Co.
Image Source: Terrapin Beer Co.
Terrapin Beer Co. is an Athens-based brewery producing award-winning craft beers since 2002. Brian “Spike” Buckowski and John Cochran founded the brewery, and it’s known for its iconic Rye Pale Ale and its extensive lineup of seasonal and limited-edition brews.
Terrapin Beer Co. It has won numerous awards, including the 2016 Great American Beer Festival’s “Small Brewing Company of the Year” award.
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Brewery Tours and Tastings in North Georgia
Some top breweries in North Georgia offer brewery tours and tastings.
SweetWater Brewing Company
This Atlanta brewing company offers tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. The cost is $12 and includes a souvenir pint glass and six tastings.
Jekyll Brewing
In Alpharetta, Jekyll Brewing offers tours on Fridays from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturdays from 1 pm to 9 pm. The cost is $15 per person and includes several tastings.
Fannin Brewing Company
Located in Blue Ridge, Fannin Brewing Company offers tours and tastings on Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $18 and includes a souvenir pint-glass tasting. Tours take around 30 minutes.
Conclusion
North Georgia is becoming a craft beer hub, with more and more breweries popping up each year. The breweries mentioned above are worth visiting. With an array of North Georgia breweries options, including special events, outdoor seating, trivia nights, and seasonal beer releases, North Georgia’s brewery scene has something for everyone.
