Atlanta Brewing Company: A Local Guide to One of Atlanta’s Original Craft Breweries

Atlanta’s craft beer scene has grown rapidly over the past decade, and Atlanta Brewing Company has been one of the names most people run into when they start exploring local breweries. If you live in the metro area, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how this brewery fits into Atlanta’s beer landscape, this guide walks through what to know, what to expect, and how to plan a visit.

Where Atlanta Brewing Company Fits in the Atlanta Beer Scene

Atlanta Brewing Company is widely recognized as one of the early players in Atlanta’s modern craft beer movement. Over the years, it has:

• Helped introduce more Atlantans to locally brewed beer
• Participated in festivals, tastings, and events across the metro area
• Influenced the growth of other breweries and taprooms around town

For someone trying to understand breweries in Atlanta overall, Atlanta Brewing Company is often mentioned alongside other well-known local names when people talk about:

• West Midtown and surrounding neighborhoods as beer destinations
• The shift from traditional bars to taprooms and brewery patios
• Atlanta’s growing reputation as a regional craft beer hub

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Atlanta breweries tend to cluster in a few main corridors: West Midtown, the BeltLine, and pockets of the Eastside and Southside. Atlanta Brewing Company has historically been associated with the Northwest/Westside area, convenient to:

• Midtown and Downtown
• Georgia Tech
• Major highways like I-75 and I-85

When planning a trip to any Atlanta brewery, including Atlanta Brewing Company:

• Driving and parking:

  • Many breweries offer on-site or adjacent parking lots, but these can fill quickly on weekends and during events.
  • Street parking is common in nearby industrial or mixed-use areas—pay attention to signage and private lot restrictions.

• Rideshare:

  • Popular for brewery-hopping or game days.
  • Often the simplest option if you plan to visit more than one brewery or will be out in the evening.

• Transit:

  • MARTA rail and bus can get you relatively close, but you’ll often have a short walk or rideshare from the station or main bus stop, depending on the brewery’s exact location.

Because taproom addresses and setups can change over time, it’s smart to:

• Confirm the current taproom address and parking details before heading out
• Check whether the brewery has any special event rules (such as blocked-off lots, ticketed entry, or limited capacity days)

What to Expect at the Taproom

Most Atlanta breweries follow a similar taproom model, and Atlanta Brewing Company generally fits this pattern. When you visit, you’re likely to find:

Atmosphere

• A casual, laid-back environment with a mix of regulars and visitors
• Indoor seating, usually with bar service and tables
• Depending on the location, an outdoor patio or beer garden area
• TVs for sports on weekends or major game days, especially for Atlanta teams

The crowd often varies by time of day:

• Weeknights: After-work groups, neighborhood regulars, quieter vibe
• Weekends: Larger groups, brewery tours, families during the day, more social in the evening
• Event days: More crowded, sometimes with live music, pop-ups, or food-focused events

Beer Styles You’re Likely to Find

Atlanta Brewing Company’s offerings typically reflect the core styles popular in Atlanta’s craft beer scene, along with rotating or seasonal options. You can expect a mix such as:

• IPAs and Pale Ales

  • Hoppy styles remain among the most popular in Atlanta
  • You’ll often see both classic West Coast–style bitterness and hazy New England–style juiciness

• Lagers and Pilsners

  • Light, crisp options for hot Atlanta days and patio drinking

• Stouts and Porters

  • More common in cooler months
  • Sometimes flavored with chocolate, coffee, or dessert-inspired notes

• Sours, Fruited Beers, and Seasonals

  • Rotating releases with fruit, spice, or other experimental ingredients
  • Common around summer, festivals, or special events

Most taprooms offer:

• Flights (small pours) so you can sample multiple styles
• Full pours of core and seasonal beers
• Sometimes to-go options, such as canned 4-packs or crowlers, depending on current Georgia alcohol laws and brewery policies

Food Options: What You Need to Know

Food at Atlanta breweries varies a lot, and Atlanta Brewing Company has at times used different approaches depending on its current taproom setup. Common possibilities include:

• Food trucks:

  • Rotating trucks parked outside, especially on weekends or event days
  • Schedules often posted by the brewery in advance

• In-house kitchen or resident food partner:

  • Some Atlanta breweries have built-in kitchens or long-term food partners offering a set menu (burgers, tacos, wings, etc.)

• Bring-your-own or nearby restaurants:

  • Some taprooms allow outside food, so visitors often bring in takeout from neighboring spots
  • In certain industrial areas, you may rely more on planned takeout or delivery

Before you go, it’s helpful to:

• Check whether food trucks or vendors will be on-site
• Confirm whether outside food is allowed
• Look up nearby restaurants if you plan to grab a meal before or after your visit

Family-Friendly and Pet Policies

Many Atlanta breweries aim to be welcoming to a wide audience, but policies can differ from place to place.

Typical patterns around Atlanta that can also apply to Atlanta Brewing Company’s taproom, depending on current rules:

• Kids and families:

  • Many breweries allow children during daytime hours, especially on weekends.
  • Some have board games, outdoor space, or non-alcoholic drink options.
  • Later in the evening, the environment may shift to a more adult crowd.

• Dogs:

  • Dogs are frequently allowed on outdoor patios if they’re leashed and well-behaved.
  • Indoor access depends on local health regulations and the brewery’s specific policy.

Always check:

• Current age restrictions (some places are 21+ after a certain time)
• Pet policies, especially if you’re relying on patio seating with a dog

Events, Tours, and Special Happenings

Atlanta Brewing Company, like many breweries in the city, may host or participate in a variety of events. These can include:

• Brewery tours:

  • Guided looks at the brewhouse, fermentation tanks, and canning/packaging areas
  • Overview of how beer is made and what makes their process unique
  • Sometimes scheduled on specific days or by reservation

• Live music and entertainment:

  • Local bands, acoustic sets, or DJs on weekends
  • Trivia nights, run clubs, or other community meet-ups

• Seasonal and beer release events:

  • Launch parties for new or limited beers
  • Oktoberfest-style celebrations, holiday events, or specialty stout days

• Charity or community events:

  • Fundraisers, neighborhood partnerships, or themed nights supporting local groups

If you’re planning your visit around an event:

• Check recent event calendars or social posts for dates and times
• Expect larger crowds and potentially longer waits at the bar
• Consider rideshare if you’ll be sampling multiple beers

How Atlanta Brewing Company Fits into Atlanta’s Brewery Map

Atlanta now has a dense network of breweries spread across several main areas. For context:

• Westside / Northwest:

  • Mix of long-established and newer breweries in former industrial zones
  • Popular for multi-stop brewery afternoons with short drives between spots

• BeltLine and Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward:

  • Breweries and taprooms with high foot traffic and easy access to other restaurants and bars

• East Atlanta, Decatur, and Avondale Estates:

  • Strong craft beer neighborhoods with walkable clusters of breweries and beer bars

Atlanta Brewing Company is part of this broader network, and many locals will plan:

• Brewery “crawls” that include it among two or three stops
• Pre- or post-game visits before heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Georgia Tech
• Pre-concert stops before events at venues on the Westside or Downtown

Tips for Visiting Atlanta Brewing Company Like a Local

To make the most of your visit, Atlantans commonly suggest:

1. Time your visit wisely

• Early afternoons on weekends are often more relaxed and family-friendly.
• Evenings and event days are livelier but can be crowded.

2. Start with a flight

• Sampling a few small pours helps you find the styles you like best, especially if you’re new to Atlanta craft beer.

3. Plan for transportation

• 🚗 If driving, choose a designated driver and confirm parking.
• 🚕 Rideshare can save hassle if you’re visiting multiple breweries.

4. Check for food options ahead of time

• Look up whether a food truck or vendor will be there.
• If not, decide whether you’ll bring food or eat before/after.

5. Respect the taproom guidelines

• Follow posted rules on kids, pets, seating, and outside beverages.
• Be mindful of noise and space during busy times.

Quick Reference: Planning Your Brewery Visit in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview of what to keep in mind when visiting Atlanta Brewing Company or any similar Atlanta brewery:

If You’re New to Atlanta Craft Beer

Atlanta Brewing Company can be a solid introduction to how Atlanta does breweries:

• You’ll get a feel for typical taproom culture here—casual, social, with a mix of regulars and visitors.
• You can compare their lineup to other Atlanta spots to learn your own preferences in local beer styles.
• You’ll see how breweries often anchor small pockets of development in industrial or transitional neighborhoods.

If you’re exploring breweries across the city, you might:

• Pair Atlanta Brewing Company with another Westside or Midtown stop in the same afternoon
• Visit before or after a game, concert, or event nearby
• Use it as one of several reference points as you get to know Atlanta’s brewery map

By planning around location, transportation, food, and the style of visit you want—quiet tasting, social night out, or event-focused—you can fit a stop at Atlanta Brewing Company smoothly into your time in Atlanta.