By Jeff

July 16, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

In my experience, the best beers are often the local ones - to wherever you are. I try to make it a point in my Carribean travels to sample the local beer and other adult beverages, and I’ve found a few good ones.

For example, go to the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory if you’re ever on Grand Cayman Island. Normal cakes, but they use straight rum - in various flavors - for the icing, AND you get to sample the rum without the cake!

As far as ATL goes, any of the Sweetwater brand beers are pretty dang good. Haven’t tried any of the others, but then, I didn’t drink NEAR as much when I lived in metro ATL - with my parents - as I do in SWGA. (Still not that much, but drinking is a more socially acceptable thing to do in my circle here than there!)

By Johns Creek Beer Lover

July 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

If you are looking for a good American-made brew, find yourself some Yuengling Lager. Yuengling, located in Pottsville, PA, is America’s oldest brewery. Yuengling Lager is available in many eastern states including SC, FL and AL, but retains its local, craft-brewery feel. The company hopes to expand into GA in the near future and this beer lover can’t wait. I grew up in PA and visits from relatives still provides me with a “life-line” to Yuengling Lager, but being able to get it locally will be wonderful. If you can find Yuengling Lager during your travels, pick some up. You won’t be disappointed.

By Bier, bitte!

July 16, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Just because it’s made locally and served in some trendy brew-pub, doesn’t mean it’s good beer. Most of the local brews I’ve tasted are either all tarted-up with seasonal fruits or spices or taste like pi$$water. It seems that these brewers are just trying to be as good as European imports but they rarely succeed - why not just drink some of the excellent imports instead? And - JCBL - I agree about the Yuengling - I drink it every time I’m in Florida - it’s real big in the Keys. I wish it were available here, too.

By mrj

July 16, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Local brews are gooood. The micro brewing pubs are all quality. But Sweetwater rules! Atlanta Brewing is very good quality as well. Terrapin makes fine brews. Dunno where Bier, bittle is partaking, but I have missed those less than flavorful local brews. I also agree with the Yuengling as a major US brewery. We need to have a distributor in GA that will carry this fine brew!

By dawgfan

July 16, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

When it comes to craft beers, due to the refusal to accept the seperation of church and state and ridiculous blue laws, the south is lagging behind the rest of the country.

Just moved back from Colorado where there are more microbeers than you can believe. Its a true beer mecca as are California, and Oregon.

But at least I can get Fat Tire in TN. Someday it’ll make its way to GA.

By Peter

July 16, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Yes…….. 7 sisters …….. at the 5 Seasons…….

Try it !

By matt

July 16, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

All of the Sweetwaters are great. You left off Hummer and Georgia Brown, though. Also, Redbrick is alright. If you like blondes (which I don’t), Redbrick Blonde is supposed to be the best. In fact, it was a gold medal winner in the 2007 Great American Beer Festival in the golden or blonde ale category.

By Reinheitsgebot

July 16, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Sweetwater always comes out with some good (brown) concoctions that are worth looking for. Ask around to see what’s new. Their Donkey Punch is one seasonal batch that I remember from last year that really was a punch in the gut- strong stuff, that is! If you’re willing to go to Taco Mac or Brick Store to educate yourself on what’s available, you’ll know what to get at the package store. You will not find any good craft brews outside of Sweetwater, Terrapin, and ABC in a grocery store. Many of the best are sold by the bottle and aren’t cheap.

By Dan

July 16, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Yuengling is a fine beer, certainly better than the big mass brewers. But culinarily speaking, good local brews are in a completely different class. Actually local brews are better than most widely availble imports as well.
The big sellers are big (widely sold imports as well) because they are bland and don’t offend. Local brews experiment and try different things and stretch boundaries and perceptions, many people like that and many don’t. There is a large population who wants something unobtrusive and familiar (kind of like fast food). This is where the buds and indeed Yuenglings provide their product. But don’t ever confuse them with craft beers

By jgumbrecht_0508aa

July 16, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Ha, there are LOTS that I left off, Matt. I’ve only lived here a few months! Give me some time, and thanks for the recommendations.

Funny, the mention of Yuengling, too, Mr. Johns Creek. I JUST tried that a few weeks ago. It seemed to be the universal beer.

Here’s my sense of it: I’ve certainly had bad local beer. I’m not an expert, and I generally don’t end up hanging out anywhere too trendy, unless trendy is the new code word for “low-key.” I’m just much more excited to try a local one. I’d like to be able to recognize a signature taste that makes me think of my travels or life somewhere.

By Ryan

July 16, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Sweetwater is good, however Terrapin makes really fantastic beer. Spike, their brewmaster, really has his nose to the grindstone as far as developing superb quality brew. They just opened their brewery in Athens, and I haven’t visited yet, but it’s time. I recommend their rye beer. It’s quite yummy.

By Lynn

July 16, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Yum!

By Stewie

July 16, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

As previously mentioned, the Sweetwater beers are solid. I pike the 420 and the IPA, and enjoy the Summer Hummer from time to time when it’s really hot, though after two of them I’ve had enough of the flavor. Same with the Road Trip. Don’t care for the Georgia Brown or their FestiveAle.

From Atlanta Brewing Co., the Redbrick is okay, but I much prefer the Peachtree Pale Ale and the Summber Brew. Neither the Blonde or the Winter Ale excite me much.

My favorite Terrapin brews are definitely the Rye Pale Ale and the Big Hoppy Monster, and enjoy the Rye Squared okay.

In terms of local brew pubs, the beers from 5 Seasons generally seem better to me than the ones at Twains, plus the food at 5 Seasons is pretty darned good. I think, though, that the guy from dearly departed Dogwood Brewing (RIP) is running the show at Twains, so they’ll likely get the feel of it soon.

Lastly, Yuengling is my mother-in-law’s favorite beer, so maybe that’s why I’m not all that impressed with it. It’s not bad, but there’s much better served in every bar each time I go to Pittsburgh.

By Dan

July 16, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Jamie’s got a great perspective, the local brew should evoke a sense of place, something that suggests where why and how it was made, the mass producers are mostly utile and for those transplants who can’t get a more local mass produced beer they grew up on (like Yuengling) it does evoke memories and give you a sense of home. But so does kraft macaroni and cheese. But it isn’t pasta

By Analchord

July 16, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

A chick that drinks beer? (the perfect woman!) If she kills her own spiders, she’s mine, guys. I stalked her first!

JK LoL

My brother is a local brewer. He won all these gold medals in contests in England for years when he lived there. He just started working here in Atlanta, and his beer is amazing. It’s something new, I dont want to name drop illegally or nothing, but the name of the beer and the brewery is called…..(Camera to me getting bludgeoned by a Dutch industrial terrorist working for Budweiser which was just sold to the Dutch)……

five hours later….uhhhh, WTF? What happened? I was about to say something, but I forgot. Too bad I didn’t write it down. That just goes to show you, It’s always something, if you dont write something down, then somebody comes along and conks you on the head……

By RamblinLonghorn

July 16, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Celis Pale Bock was as good a beer as I’ve ever had (until they were bought by Miller and closed).

By jabster

July 16, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Bud is now Belgian. That means that the quality of the average AMERICAN beer just went up…especially since Miller/Coors is now half British and a quarter Canadian…

Agree on Yuengling and Colorado microbrews…but Fat Tire is horribly overrated. You can do better in Colorado (Flying Dog, etc.)

By Jill

July 16, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

To chime in on the Colorado thread: For me, my favorite Colorado brewery might be Great Divide.

As for local, the guys who used to brew at the now-defunct Dogwood Brewery are in charge of the brewing at 5 Seasons. Definitely check out that place. The food is pretty good, too!

By kory

July 16, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

first off just because budweiser has now merged with inbev doesnt mean that this the beer now isnt american. the beer isnt going to change, just some rich guys sitting in fancy chairs with nice suits on on the board. the same people are still brewing the beer with the same dedication thats always been there for a hundred years now.

By Stewie

July 16, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

You say that like it’s a good thing, Kory.

I was holding out a faint hope that that swill would actually become drinkable.

By Tony C.

July 16, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Flying Dog is better than Fat Tire?

Wow.

You’re the only person I’ve heard/seen make that assertion.

I miss my Fat Tire.

Also the Oasis Scarab (from Boulder) is pretty bad@ss.

Locally, Terrapin is a much higher-quality house than Sweetwater for my money. Don’t get me wrong, I think Sweetwater Blue is a fine beer, but other than a “cool” name that targets the easily suggestible (stoners) 420 ain’t all that.

Oh, and if you ever find yourself in Denver Jaime, you owe it to yourself to stop by the Wynkoop. It’s gotten kind of touristy, but so has the rest of LoDo-great beer, done by purists though. Also, they keep (and make) family beer recipes from “famous” americans. Kurt Vonnegut gave them his grandfather’s recipe for example (not bad either).

Twains or 5 Seasons: wow what a choice! stuck up yuppies who dress like yuppies or stuck up yuppies who dress like bums-what a choice to make!

By Political Mongrel

July 16, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

I really like Terrapin RyePA. It’s my favorite Georgia beer. I’ve got to admit, though, that I never drank a local beer on tap in Oregon that wasn’t even better. Those folks REALLY know how to make beer.

By jc_atl

July 16, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Terrapin Rye (or Rye Squared when available) as well as most of the Sweetwater beers are great. You should definitely drink local when you can, but I also enjoy micros from other parts of the country. Magic Hat (VT) will be in liquor stores very soon and is already available on tap in some places.

My thoughts on InBev purchasing AB is “maybe the Belgians can finally teach AB how to make decent beer”.

By Stewie

July 16, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

Wow, Tony…how do you really feel? Sounds like the only thing missing from Twain’s and 5 Seasons is an overbearing Coloradan. Know where we can find one?

Just giving you a little grief. No doubt they brew some great beer there. I enjoyed a couple of forays many years ago, as I did in Portland, OR, as well. Great beer town.

Give us some time, Tony…we’re just getting past some rather restrictive laws, but (hopefully) we’ll get there. There’s a reason that retail sales of craft beers jumped 31% in ‘07.

In the meantime, maybe you can encourage those brewers in CO to send their best our way!

By Jeff

July 16, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

OK, I know most of y’all are from/within the metro ATL area, but does anyone know of any micros in the Albany area?

I shall have to try Terrapin and ABC. Sweetwater was recommended by a college buddy of mine and is in fact a good beer, as I said earlier.

Of course, I also like Bud and Bud Select, so I probably don’t carry much weight with many of you…

By Motorcyclist

July 16, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Highlands brewery in Asheville makes great beers. Sometimes you can find their Gaelic Ale around here.

Of course, it is a good excuse to visit the Smokey Mountains to buy some beer.

By dawgfan

July 16, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

I knew someone would chime in with the Fat Tire is overrated stance. When it first came out it was untouchable and has been riding its reputation since. Still a solid beer from one of the best breweries in the world - New Belgium.

FYI, Flying Dog has moved production from Denver to Maryland.

Love Sweetwater and Terrapin but they need competition. It breeds consistency, innovation, and keeps them fresh. Atlanta Brewing brews a good beer but their marketing is horrible. But if you compare our locals to Stone, Deschutes, Odell, Avery, then you know what potential they have. Because all these breweries listed have solid lines top to bottom.

But you need to go to Greens or Tower and browse. Some of favorites are:

Great Divide Titan IPA Left Hand Sawtooth Ale Sierra Nevada Summerfest Victory Prima Pils Ommegang Hennapin Ommegang Three Philosphers Terrapin Rye Pale Ale Sweetwater IPA

By just anutter drunk

July 16, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

laughing skull is my fav local, too bad I cant get it in here in augusta!!!

By lm

July 16, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Try the selections from Dogfish Head Brewery, Delaware I think. 90 minute IPA, 60 minute IPA.

By Ryan in Athens

July 16, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Come to the Terrapin brewery in Athens. You will find great beer. I am a big fan of the IBA.. They do the tour similar to the one at Sweetwater. Thurs 5-7 Sat 2-5. Check it out, the brewmaster knows what he is doing. While you’re at it check out Copper Creek. They make a mean stout. Peace out yo!

By Andrew

July 16, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

I drink Sweetwater, Terrapin and Dogfish. Though not local, I’m particularly fond of Sierra Nevada as well, try their Summer Fest.

By Dumbing Down

July 17, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this

Of course local beer tastes better… except on Sundays in Georgia!

By Sugar

July 17, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Sweetwater? Are you crazy? That’s nothing more than Coors lite-lite. P** water. Nasty. It’s soda water with a yellow crayon dipped in it.

By ron

July 17, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

There’s a reason the locals are small,and stay small.Most are perfumed water.I brew my own stout.And it’s stout.That means thick,dark,tasty,mild alcohol content.

By Analchord

July 17, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

There used to be this amazing, stupifying myth about Coors beer in the early seventies in Detroit. My fraternity once even planned an all-night drive to Kentucky which was the closest place you could buy it then, I think. Coors beer. We used to sit around with our Strohs or Buds, and fantasize about how great it would be if only we had Coors instead. One frat bro even got laid bragging at this mixer with the Felta Thighs about all the Coors he could get. (The lucky skunk).

So that’s why I remember my first Coors. I took a sip, just to taste the wonder of it all, and I knew my life would never be the same. I took another sip just to be sure. Yes. It was better. If we would have had this in Detroit in 1973, then we would have taken over fraternity row, and even achieved the rare honor of being placed on double secret probation.

Thirty five years later, my wife wont let me have beer in the house, not even during the superbowl. I need someone to step forward and rescue me from my marriage. (bring coors)