What better way to celebrate our country's independence this weekend than with Atlanta's favorite summer pastime: shooting the 'hooch. For the uninitiated, that means a lazy afternoon floating down the Chattahoochee River in the hot sun sipping drinks you've iced down in the floating cooler trailing behind your makeshift "floatilla" city. Ah, America.
'FLOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE' BECOMES LEGAL IN GEORGIA
We’re breaking down our choices of beverages to sip and floating coolers to consider while staying healthy and hydrated on your voyage down the mighty Chattahoochee.
Pack these essentials before you head to the liquor store for booze and ice:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- ID
- Bottled water or La Croix (if you're fancy)
- Waterproof shoes
- Towel
- Life jacket--because it's the law
- Plastic bag for garbage
- Change of clothing
- Waterproof dry bag
Carbo-loading and snacks
No glass
Floating cooler
Beer
You could buy a case of Bud or Miller Lite for your journey, but with Georgia's ever-expanding list of breweries, celebrate our great state by keeping your river beers local. Look for light, low ABV (alcohol by volume) beers under 5 percent. Most craft breweries have at least one sessionable beer in their lineup.
Wild Heaven Emergency Drinking Beer 4% : Light, crisp pilsner-style with sour components.
Credit: Beth McKibben
Credit: Beth McKibben
Terrapin Watermelon Gose 4.3%: A great choice for those who enjoy a bit of sour and salinity. If you salt your watermelon and like beer, this is your summer sipper.
Creature Comforts Athena 4.5% : Refreshing sour, slightly tart German-style wheat beer.
Terrapin RecreationAle 4.7% : Solid choice for those who enjoy a hoppy pale ale.
Second Self Thai Wheat 5.1% : A notch higher than the recommended ABV yet refreshing and flavorful with a punch of spice.
Hop City, 1000 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. 404-350-9998 and 99 Krog St. NE, Atlanta. 470-355-2534, hopcitybeer.com.
Stout Brothers, 1265 West Spring St., Smyrna. 770-319-8200, thestoutbrothers.com.
Credit: Beth McKibben
Credit: Beth McKibben
Wine
Underwood four-pack: This season's poolside favorite is quickly becoming the discerning river sipper's canned vino of choice. Grab a four pack of rose , pinot gris, pinot noir, sparkling or mix it up with a variety pack. Each can contains approximately two glasses of wine.
Sofia Blanc de Blancs mini four-pack : You've watched her movies, now you can drink like movie director Sofia Coppola on the river. This sparkling blend contains pinot blanc, riesling and muscat for a light effervescent wine with citrus and melon notes. Each can is equal to one large glass of wine.
If you really have a hankering for a cocktail, keep it simple and light with a batch of mimosas in a sealable, plastic container. Try grapefruit juice rather than sugary orange juice to make the sparkling wine pop with a hint of tartness.
3 Parks Wine Shop, 880 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta. 678-349-7070, 3parkswine.com.
Tower Wine & Spirits, 2161 Piedmont Road, N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-0902 and 5877 Buford Highway, Doraville. 770-458-3272, towerwinespirits.com.
Hop City, 1000 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. 404-350-9998 and 99 Krog St. NE, Atlanta. 470- 355-2534, hopcitybeer.com.
Click here for drop in points along the Chattahoochee.
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