If you're a dedicated beer hunter, you've probably already seen the bright green six-packs of Terrapin Rye Pale Ale that have been cropping up in package stores around metro Atlanta and beyond in the past two weeks.

The beer has become a surprising success story in pubs and beer bars since Athens-based Terrapin Beer Co. partners Brian Buckowski and John Cochran rolled out their first keg-only offering in April 2002. Barely six months later, it was awarded the gold medal for American pale ale at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival in Denver. And suddenly, Terrapin became the buzz beer from Athens to Atlanta, expanding to some 150 draft accounts in North Georgia.

Terrapin Beer Co. (ENLARGE)
Terrapin Beer Co. partners John Cochran (left) and Brian Buckowski have produced a bottled version of their award-winning Rye Pale Ale.
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Putting Terrapin Rye in bottles is the next — and so far the biggest — move in Buckowski and Cochran's plan to build their company.

"It's a big circle," says Cochran. "Draft and bottles and bottles and draft — there's a huge number of people who rarely go to bars but buy beer in bottles, and they've never heard of us. And there are the people who were introduced to our beer on draft and have wanted to be able to buy it in the bottle."

Terrapin Rye gets its distinctive flavor from malted rye (a grain not often found in similar craft beers), blended with malted barley and five kinds of hops. Complex flavors and aromas abound in this well-balanced and refreshing brew that's both bitter and fruity, with a superb maltiness and a clean finish.

Because the new bottled version of the beer is filtered to improve shelf life, its hop aroma is somewhat diminished, as compared to Terrapin Rye on tap. But all the taste is there. And the packaging couldn't be more eye-catching. The carton drawing — by artist Richard Biffle, known for his album covers and posters for the Grateful Dead — pictures a bespectacled turtle wearing a straw hat and strumming a banjo.

Buckowski admits that seeing his first Rye in the bottle was thrilling. But he wants Terrapin fans to know that it's just the beginning.

"The whole trip is exciting," Buckowski says. "We're not going to just hang on to one thing. I hope this is going to be a very strong beer for us — probably our flagship. But we're always going to have something new out there."

In October, look for Buckowski's Big Hoppy Monster, a deep red, high-gravity brew, to go on draft for a limited time at select pubs. And expect Terrapin Cream Ale, a smooth, creamy golden ale, to come out in bottles next year.

Summer Beer Dinner: Terrapin Rye Pale Ale is among beers featured at a five-course summer beer dinner at 8 tonight at Iris restaurant in East Atlanta. For info: 404-221-1300, www.irisatlanta.com

For more information on upcoming Terrapin Beer Co. events, see Terrapin Beer.