Brew Up a Beercation in Awesome Alpharetta
In Food + Drink
For the folks that are passionate about pale ales, love a good lager, or sip on stouts time and time again, Alpharetta is a hops haven! One of the best ways to explore the extensive craft brews selection the city offers is to plan a beercation. What is a beercation? We’re glad you asked!
Beercation [beer-cay-shuhn]: A vacation centered around exploring epic brew spots
That’s right—beercations are big, baby—and Alpharetta is right on trend with the sudsy magic of a cold one (or two or three…). Check out some of Alpharetta’s best watering holes and events to have a brew-tastic blast!
Spots to Grab Your Sips:
1. Jekyll Brewing
Alpharetta’s flagship brewery on Marconi Drive is the right call to begin your brew adventure. The brewery draws inspiration and its namesake from the Deep South’s very first brewery, which was founded on nearby Jekyll Island in 1738. Today, Jekyll Brewing epitomizes the notion of a deeply local watering hole with memorable Georgia-centric names like Cooter Brown and Hop Dang Diggity.
Jekyll has expanded to a second location in Downtown Alpharetta on Academy Street. Here you can also enjoy a great dining experience while enjoying your craft beer. This location also offers a rooftop patio with a premier view of the heart of Downtown for elevated sipping and features a host of dishes like New Orleans-Style BBQ Oysters and housemade Puffed Pork Rinds to serve as a strong base for all your imbibing.
2. Currahee Brewing Company
Another Downtown Alpharetta gem, Currahee Brewing Company was born out of a true love of good beer and made for those who appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry involved in the brewing process. The South Main Street staple has tons of beers to choose from—but we’re especially big fans of the Frankenstark, a Belgian Style Golden Ale with delicious rye and wheat flavors, and the Stay Peachy, a traditional German Hefeweizen with a hint of sweet Georgia peaches to create a completely memorable, deeply local thirst-quencher you’ll dream about for days to come.
3. Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar
The international beer game is STRONG at Barleygarden. The Avalon eatery is known for their epic open-air rooftop bar, ridiculously delicious soft-baked pretzels, and a next-level list of brews from funky and fruity to hop-heavy and full-bodied with just about every style in between. The extensive tap menu rotates regularly, including featuring more than 61 lagers, ciders, pale ales, wheats, IPA’s, Belgian-style brews, and more.
4. Butcher & Brew
Downtown Alpharetta’s Butcher & Brew is a chic gastropub proud to play host to eclectic craft beers sourced from breweries all over the United States, with a special emphasis on supplying Georgia-made suds (look for the asterisk on their beer menu!). Don’t miss Sailing on Sunbeams from Newtopia, with hints of passionfruit and peach, or Appalachia from Wicked Weed Brewing, a super-punchy Session IPA.
Events to Enjoy
Alpharetta Brew Moon Fest – September 24, 2022
Alpharetta Brew Moon Fest brings live music to downtown Alpharetta, where attendees of all ages can ring in the fall with dancing and drafts from Jekyll Brewing! Entertainment includes music from BJ Wilbanks, whose music combines Americana, Motown, Funk, Blues and Country influences for an amazing show. Admission is required.
Oktoberfest at Avalon – October 1, 2022
Folks ages 21 and up can head to Oktoberfest at Avalon on October 1 to enjoy music, dancing, specialty bites, brews and more, featuring all the lederhosen and dirndl you could dream of. As part of your ticket purchase, you will receive an exclusive Oktoberfest stein, and all proceeds will benefit The Wills Park Equestrian Foundation. Admission is required.
Wire & Wood Alpharetta songwriters festival – October 7 & 8, 2022
While Wire & Wood Alpharetta songwriters festival is not geared towards brew-fanatics, it is a great event to experience while on your beercation. Featuring live music from more than 30 artists performing on over 6 stages, Alpharetta comes alive during Wire & Wood. Enjoy the sip-friendly, walkable downtown area and catch live music all evening on both days of this 2-day festival. Hit your favorite spots during the day and enjoy the downtown atmosphere in the evening! Free admission.
Trails & Ales – October 22, 2022
Trails & Ales is the perfect event for beer lovers who enjoy nature as much as they enjoy a good brew. All ages are welcome for this family-friendly group walk that starts at Jekyll Brewing in Downtown Alpharetta. A City of Alpharetta staff member will lead the group through some of Alpharetta’s scenic trails, before returning to Jekyll Brewing for a post-walk social. This event is free for guests under 21 to participate in, and $15 for participants who want a beverage token and swag! Participants must pre-register.
Still looking for more to sip? Jump on the Topside Tap Trail
The Topside Tap Trail – a craft beer trail that’s made up of seven breweries in metro Atlanta’s “topside”. You’ll love exploring the brewpubs, breweries and tap rooms at some of the state’s best breweries all located in the cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Sandy Springs, Georgia. The Topside Tap Trail breweries are all within a 30-minute drive, end-to-end, you can easily make it to each of these stops in one day or split your adventure into a multi-day event.
Set yourself up with a cozy place to crash after all your beercationing by checking out Alpharetta’s extensive accommodations here and share your favorite brews with us by tagging us @AwesomeAlpharetta and using our hashtag: #AwesomeAlpharetta. Cheers!