First Look: Hop Alley, Alpharetta

25 S. Main St., Alpharetta, 770-696-2097, www.hopalleybrew.com.

Brewer Brandon Hintz says the concept was simple: “Bring a great beer bar/brew pub to outside the perimeter.” With that in mind, and chef Matt Schreiber in the kitchen, Hintz and his wife, Jodi, opened Hop Alley in Alpharetta in June.

The look: Located in a vintage storefront, the pub lives up to it's name in several ways. The long, narrow, space stretches from the front entrance on South Main Street to a small patio that looks out on the alley in back. The brewhouse and serving tanks are crammed behind the bar, allowing the aroma of hops in the freshly made beer to waft through the cozy dining room.

The scene: One recent Saturday evening, Hop Alley appeared to be the liveliest spot on Main. The sprawling bar was packed two-deep in many spots, and there was a wait for a table. Hintz was busy behind the bar, pouring beer and mixing drinks, while chatting up customers, who ranged from curious beer geeks to date night couples eager to check out the new spot in town.

The menu: Schreiber's offerings mix pub grub with Southern touches. Starters include boiled peanuts served in a pint glass ($3.95), fried pickle chips ($6.50), and a market-priced charcuterie and cheese plate. On the long list of sandwiches, find several burgers, most notably the 50/50 bacon burger ($11.50), made with a mix of grass fed beef and Heywood's bacon. Right now, there are only three entrees ($16) on the menu, a sausage platter with sauerkraut and beer mustard, grilled salmon with almond brown butter, and braised pork belly with collard greens.

The drinks: Not surpassingly, draft beer brewed on premise is the star of the drinks menu. Hintz's recent offerings ($3.50/$5) include a saison, a red rye IPA, a blonde ale, and an English-style ESB. But there's a curated "guest draft" menu with the likes of Liefmans Cuvee Brut ($8), Weihenstephan Hoplosion ($7) and Tripel Karmeliet ($8), and a bottled beer list that leans toward Belgian and Trappist ales.

The extras: For dessert, there’s blueberry crostata with vanilla ice cream, and white chocolate mousse puff pastry with fresh berries ($6.50). Check out the chalkboard menu near the bar for a selection of bourbon, rye, scotch and American whiskey.