Are We A Beer Town?

By Tom Maicon at June 14, 2009 | 8:35 am | Print

Atlanta – Four years ago most beverage directors in this town sneered at the thought of adding craft beer to their drink menus. One even told me with his nose firmly pointed to the clouds, and derriere slanted off his hip, “craft beer will never find its way on our city’s drink menus, ever.”

Today, with the whole gastropub fad in full swing, and craft beer more popular than ever—even in upscale restaurants—I believe a certain snooty beverage director would like to drink those words away.

Perhaps chef/owner Linton Hopkins Restaurant Eugene (2277 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, Tel: 404.355.0321) was the first to recognize craft beer for its complexity and sophistication.

Now chefs with Bacchanalia and Seeger’s steeped into their pedigrees have jumped into the gastropub business with great success, using craft beer as a catalyst. The Porter located in Little 5 Points comes to mind.

And doesn’t it seem like beer dinners have become the new wine dinner?

Anyone out there still not ready to believe Atlanta is a beer town need only visit Brick Store Pub (125 E. Court Square, Decatur, Tel: 404.687.0990), which was recently anointed top 10 beer bar in the US by Forbes Traveler. The craft beer selection here is as dizzying as the potent brews being poured in the Belgian room upstairs.

Around the corner, still in beercentric Decatur, Thinking Man Tavern (537 W. Howard Ave., Decatur, Tel: 404.370.1717) makes a big statement for the American crafts by selling only American microbrews.

“Drink American,” says co-owner Carl Rappold.

In the midst of the largest American microbrew explosion in history, this unpretentious tavern experiences no shortage of variety. And the fact that American small craft brewers seem to be more active and creative these days certainly doesn’t hurt.

“We are an independently owned tavern that specializes in American craft beer,” explains Rappold.

Drink American? Hmm … I can drink to that.

One need not be in Decatur, or even inside the perimeter to relish in craft beer’s magnificence. In Snellville, yes my dear reader, I did say Snellville, there’s a new little craft beer and specialty wine shop called Niko’s Corner (2050 Scenic Hwy., Snellville, Tel: 770.979.3111) that’s quickly making a name for itself by peddling a surprisingly wide variety of craft beer to thirsty Snellvillians.

Niko Patel (owner) doesn’t offer much in the way of Budweiser, Coors or Michelob at his Snellville shop. Instead, he offers a good mixture of American crafts and eclectic imports.

“I just want to give people around here something different,” says Patel.

But perhaps the answer to the beer town question arrived when Kraig Torres opened Hop City Craft Beer and Wine (1000 Marietta St. Suite 302, Westside, Tel: 404.350.9998), Atlanta’s first craft beer store.

“Atlanta was missing a craft beer store,” explains Torres, “other city’s like Chicago have them.”

Torres admits to being “insanely passionate” about craft beer, and his passion shows.

Hop City, located on the triangular intersection where Howell Mill spills into Marietta St., rounds out what the craft beer cult is calling the “Beermuda Triangle” with Octane on one side and newly opened 5 Seasons Brewing next door.

The fact that we have an area of town referred to as the “Beermuda Triangle” is proof alone that we have become a beer city.

My car acts a little funny every time I drive through.

Beer Brick Store Pub, Carl Rappold, Hop City Craft Beer & Wine, Kraig Torres, Niko Patel, Niko's Corner, Restaurant Eugene, The Porter, Thinking Man Tavern