Florida State Seminoles Opponent Scouting Report: Atlanta Craft Beer Scene

This is the first weekly installment highlighting the craft beer scene of Florida State's opponent. This segment will feature a brewery from the area and a beer from another brewery in the area, with a focus on best representing the craft beer scene of the Noles’ weekly opponent. We also try to include options that are readily available to those who may not be traveling to the games and want to pick something up from their local package store. I am not going to pretend I know anything about Alabama beer, let alone beer brewed in Tuscaloosa so without further delay, we present to you craft beer in Atlanta.

Today is Independence Day for craft beer lovers in the state of Georgia as they let loose antiquated beer laws that made tasting at breweries inconvenient and restricted “direct” sales from the producer to the consumer.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Let Georgia’s new happy hour begin: For the first time since Prohibition, local craft breweries and distilleries, beginning Friday, will be legally allowed to sell limited amounts of their beer and spirits directly to customers.

The new law ends a decades-old standoff that had been especially tense between the state’s growing number of craft brewers and beer wholesalers, who fought for years to protect their position as the middleman between manufacturers and retailers.

Breweries across Atlanta are celebrating with a variety of events over the holiday weekend. One brewery not listed but I think is worth a visit in Three Taverns Craft Beer in Dectaur. They tap themselves as ‘Belgian Inspiration with American Creativity’ and do offer some truly unique creations. Their brewmaster is one of only three Belgian brewers in the States and is the nephew of head brewmaster at New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins.

During my visit this summer they had a cucumber and basil sour (Basielus) that was out of this world and another easy drinking sour (Raptourus) which is available in six -pack cans. The Belgian Quad and Belgian IPA were up to par while their barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout (Departed Spirit) was on such a different level that a bottle purchase for the cellar was necessary. Their tasting room is not the largest but it does have that Old World feel to it that makes drinking well-crafted ale extra special.

If you’re around Atlanta this weekend I have two recommendations for you. The first is Wild Heaven EDB (Emergency Drinking Beer), a Pils-style Session Ale (4% ABV). Described as an “A one-of-a-kind session beer reminiscent of a crisp pilsner married with a traditional gose. Brightness and complexity come from additions of citrus zest, Portuguese sea salt and lemongrass.” I also had the Watermelon treatment to the EDB and it was refreshing on a sweltering summer day. Their barrel-aged program is pretty legit too so if you have the opportunity to grab a bottle do yourself a favor.

My second recommendation is Creature Comforts out of Athens; they don’t make a bad beer. Seriously, if you see a six pack of cans or at an establishment with it on draft just try one, I can assure that you won’t be disappointed. Personal favorites are Automatic Pale Ale and any of the Athena Berlinerwiesses.

Not able to drink in the Peach State this weekend, we would love to know what you will be drinking as college football returns.

Cheers!