The best breweries in Atlanta

Thinking about a cold brew after a long walk in Piedmont Park? On the edge of the park — an exceptional spot for a brewery with outdoor seating — is Orpheus Brewing, a unique craft brewer specializing in funky, creative, and barrel-aged beers. While their beers are widely distributed, some inspired releases are found only on tap at the brewery, another good reason to visit. Keep an eye out for collaborations with local businesses, such as the lime coconut sour inspired by Revolution Doughnuts.

An early entry into Atlanta’s craft beer scene, Monday Night Brewing has locations in West End along the BeltLine and West Midtown. Both feature spacious tap rooms and food truck pop-ups. You’ll find a selection of expertly-brewed standards (saisons, ales, barrel-aged stouts), as well as specialty brews like the Black Tie Series, which has included stunners such as Fistful of Cake: Double Fudge Chocolate, a decadent imperial stout.

Down Home Brewing is notable for being the first Black-owned and-operated craft beer company in Georgia. But the selection of beers is just as noteworthy as the small but mighty team strives to “introduce everyone to their next favorite brew.” They’re still in search of the perfect location for a brick-and-mortar, but their beers (like Georgia Hooch IPA and T-Pom Pomegranate Wheat Ale) can be found in restaurants and bottle shops in the area.

Located in the same complex, just off the Westside Beltline trail, that houses Monday Night Brewing’s Garage, Wild Heaven West End, Hop City Beer, and ASW Distillery, this brewery has made its mark among them in its few short years of existence. You’ll find quality pilsners, ales, porters, sours, and more, all brewed on-site. Stick around and enjoy wings, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and other refreshing beverages like slushies and natural wines. There’s a dog-friendly patio and a tiki bar.

Over in Summerhill, Halfway Crooks brews up inventive beers in cool digs. Try Italian-, Belgian- and German-style pilsners, West Coast-style pale ales, Czech-style lagers, and more, fresh from the taps. The brewery has a tasting room, two bars, and an outdoor beer garden with food pop-ups on weekends. To supplement the brews, there is a menu of suds-worthy grub like a pork belly sandwich, falafel burger, and Stoof Fries (topped with Belgian beer-braised beef and gravy).

Bold Monk in Underwood Hills has a beer for all seasons, from lagers and saisons to an Irish stout and a Russian Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels. The sprawling brewpub has two floors of seating and an outdoor beer garden with plenty of shade for warmer months and fire pits for cooler temps. Food options range from Belgian fries and steak frites to lamb burgers and grain bowls.

30 barrels and a small batch brew system mean super fresh brews flow from this West Midtown brewery’s 24 taps. Steady Hand offers a lineup of IPAs, Imperial stouts, ales, and lagers, plus creative entries like a citrus-vanilla Guava Cake Sour and a sweet potato farmhouse ale. The woodland-themed taproom features games, food truck pop-ups, frequent live music performances, and art markets.

This small but mighty brewery strives to brew excellent but uncomplicated beer, from lagers and ales to stouts and IPAs. Their straightforward approach means fresh, top-notch examples of favorite beer styles. Keep an eye out for inventive selections like the summery honeysuckle Kolsch or the orange creamsicle milkshake IPA. A proud member of the tight-knit Grant Park community, Eventide hosts food pop-ups, trivia nights, and, in winter, the Grant Park farmers market.

Named after Sweetwater Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee, Sweetwater has been brewing in Atlanta since 1997. Though it’s grown tremendously — and ranks among the top craft breweries in the US — it still retains its scrappy vibe and sticks to its “Don’t float the mainstream” motto. The brewery gives back to the community and to environmental causes. Known for its 420 Extra Pale Ale and hazy IPAs, Sweetwater also produces limited runs, experimental barrel-aged and sour beers, and hard seltzers.

Located in East Atlanta Village, Hippin’ Hops is Georgia’s first Black-owned brewery with a permanent location. The brewpub pours fresh-made brews ranging from sours and IPAs to seasonal ales and frozen brews like a mango margarita and a peach sour-infused tropical colada. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, an oyster bar, a full menu featuring po-boys and Southern sides, and games like Jenga and cornhole, making it an all-around great place to hang out.

The young Fire Maker Brewing is a standout in the growing Westside Brewery District. It’s a favorite among neighbors within walking distance as well as a draw for beer enthusiasts around the city. Popular brews include the Hazed and Blazed IPA, Royal Velvet saison, and Bedfordshire Barleywine. Cider and hard seltzer fans are taken care of too. The taproom has a dog-friendly patio, a beer garden, and plenty of screens for watching games.

Not far from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Arches is a funky brewery specializing in classic lagers and ales from around the world. In addition to their year-round brews, limited-release beers like Cold Smoke smoked lager and the Simply Sticky West Coast IPA have drawn accolades. The brewery hosts a full slate of events, from BINGO nights and artist markets to stand-up comedy and pet photo shoots.

This early craft beer purveyor has been brewing in Avondale Estates since 2010 and now has a second location in the West End. Their pilsner-style ale Emergency Drinking Beer is a city-wide favorite, with seasonal variations including berry, citrus, tropical, and watermelon blends. The BeltLiner saison and heavier beers like a Belgian-style quadruple ale are standouts. The West End taproom includes a dog-friendly patio and a menu of hearty sandwiches, sides, and wings.