5 Seasons: Still the undisputed jewel of Sandy Springs
By Jessica Moss at February 18, 2009 | 5:04 pm | Print
5 Seasons Brewpub and Restaurant in the Prado of Sandy Springs is a phoenix, constantly rebuilding, improving, and always offering a wonderful experience. After over a year of taxing legal issues and near-crippling blows from outside forces, this gem of a restaurant has emerged with incredible promise and vision.
A feeling of relaxed, good humor invades you as you walk through the door. A contact buzz is almost felt from the warm, friendly aura of the neighborhood pub, and the feeling is solidified with the first beer. A delightful oubliette, 5 Seasons Prado is the ideal beer-lovers restaurant. Always a meeting spot of the beer community, 5 Seasons has seen some of the best brewing talent in the country, and the newest Brewmaster is no exception.
In a position vacated by the talented, technical perfection of Glen Sprouse, Brewmaster Kevin McNerney entered the post of Master Brewer late last year.
A veteran brewer since 1992, Kevin McNerney’s brews are no stranger to the tastebuds of beer enthusiasts across the globe. As a co-founder of local legend Sweetwater Brewing and a veteran of the critically acclaimed Avery Brewing in Colorado, McNerney’s skills have been widely acknowledged in the brewing community. Winning Brewer of the Year in 2002 at the Great American Beer Festival held in Denver, Colorado.
As much as Glen Sprouse will be missed, McNerney brings an exciting new perspective and enthusiasm to his original creations pouring at 5 Seasons Prado.
In the transitional wake, a unique opportunity is presented to the beer drinker to enjoy beers produced by both of these amazing brewers. Small batch and bottle-conditioned beers from Glen Sprouse’s portfolio are being poured, in addition to McNerney’s first offerings. Now is the perfect time to stop into 5 Seasons Prado to experience both of these brewer’s art in addition to enjoying the new parking and surroundings to our local brewpub.
New Selections from the portfolio of Kevin McNerney:
Hopgasm IPA:
Hop-heads nationwide were deprived of their bitter alpha-acids by the start of the ongoing hop shortage. McNerney’s cure, and his first release with 5 Seasons, is this west coast style IPA designed to revive the palates of Georgia’s IPA fans. This delicious, highly drinkable brew, set the bar as McNerney’s exceptional brewing skill is highlighted in this well-balanced, beautiful India Pale Ale.
InagurALE:
The name is no mystery to the patrons who chose to watch the inauguration of Barak Obama on the big projection screen at 5 Seasons Prado. Sipping this brew, tapped on inauguration day specifically to honor the occasion, many enjoyed a uniquely American beer during the historical, distinctly American experience. This crisp California Common beer, also known as a Steam beer, is brewed using lager yeast fermented at the higher temperatures traditionally used in making ales. Since 1896, the most famous example of this style, Anchor Steam, has been produced using this same technique in San Francisco. Highly drinkable and wonderfully refreshing, full of lightly toasted flavor, this brew represents a true American classic for our latest addition to our country’s history.
Raspberry TruffAle:
Originally brewed by McNerney as Brewmaster for the renowned Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, Colorado, this dessert beer combines the flavors of fresh raspberries with a bitter dark chocolate finish. No artificial flavorings touch this amazingly smooth and complex brew. Brewed using 150 pounds of fresh raspberries, this is a fruit beer that tastes like you are eating the fresh, perfectly ripe fruit. In addition to this, 25 pounds of unsweet Swiss chocolate is used to produce the flavor only real chocolate can produce. The result is a beautiful brew that actually tastes like a Raspberry Truffle.
Also pouring from the cellar are a few of Glen’s classic beers:
Flanders Golden Ale:
Originally brewed by Glen Sprouse to celebrate his wedding, the Flanders Golden Ale is the stuff of legends. Golden in color and Belgian in flavor, this brew celebrates all that it is to experience the complexity of a Belgian Golden Strong Ale. Hints of clove, banana, and coriander play off the aroma and into the flavor as an additional secret ingredient “known for its aphrodisiac qualities” (5seasonsbrewing.com) and passion fruit add to the cerebral intricacy of the flavor. A very special treat on draft, this beer is even more delicious when you get a bottle conditioned version. At $20, less than you would spend on a bottle of wine, this beer is a worthy delicacy.
Cartoon Brune:
Brunes are not often found in America. This little known style, typically described as a Belgian Brown Ale, combines the rich spice flavors found in traditional Belgian yeasts with the dryness created during the brew’s secondary fermentation in cask. Sprouse’s Cartoon Brune is a wonderful example of this rare style. In his version, Sprouse uses seven types of barley malt from Germany and Belgium to create a unique, richly flavored beer.
Stop by 5 Seasons Prado while these beers are still available. Some of them are in limited quantity, and the experience alone is worth the trip. Chef Phillip Rainwater has a noticeable respect for the beer served in the restaurant, and his innate sense of flavor and passion for his art makes for an amazing dining experience. The combination of imaginative daily specials and fresh, ever-changing beer creates a pleasantly addicting local spot. Also, congratulations are also due to Brewmaster Kevin McNerney and wife Sabrina on the arrival of their new baby girl in January.
See you at 5 Seasons!
On a final note in the city of Sandy Springs, the void left by the closing of Jax Package Store on Roswell Road has finally been filled with the opening of Hinton’s Savvy Cellar last year. An amazing wine selection, in addition to great prices on rare finds, combines with an ample large format (750mL) beer selection. Just travel north across 285 from 5 Season Restaurant and Brewpub, continue for about two miles on Roswell Road and take a left on Abernathy Road to make your trip to Sandy Springs complete. A knowledgeable and friendly staff helps to guide you to the perfect wine, beer, or spirit for your taste and budget. Visit www.hintonssavvycellar.com for more information.
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