ASW Distillery in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

ASW Distillery is one of Atlanta’s best-known local spirits producers, with multiple locations where you can taste whiskey, gin, vodka, and more right where they’re made. If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how an urban distillery works here, this guide walks you through the essentials.

Where ASW Distillery Fits into Atlanta’s Food & Drink Scene

ASW operates as a craft distillery rather than a traditional bar or restaurant, but it fits naturally into Atlanta’s restaurant and nightlife scene:

• It’s a place to sample locally made spirits.
• Many visits center on tastings, tours, and cocktails, not full meals.
• It’s often part of a bigger day or night out in neighborhoods like The Battery or the Westside.

If you’re planning dinner nearby—say, at a restaurant in The Battery Atlanta, in Midtown, or along the Westside—ASW can work well as a pre-dinner tasting stop or a post-game drink option.

ASW Distillery Locations Around Atlanta

ASW has grown from a single distillery into several Atlanta-area tasting rooms and production spaces. Specific offerings can vary by location, but here’s the typical layout:

*Offerings and exact locations can change; it’s wise to confirm current hours and services directly with ASW before you go.

If you’re visiting Truist Park or spending time at The Battery, ASW’s presence there makes it easy to build a quick tasting into your day. If you live in-town, the Westside or Midtown tasting rooms are usually the most convenient.

What You Can Do at ASW Distillery

1. Tastings

Most visitors come for guided tastings of ASW’s spirits. These usually work like this:

• You choose a flight of different spirits (for example, several types of whiskey or a mix of whiskey and gin).
• A staff member typically explains:
  • How each spirit is made
  • Differences in grain, aging, or barrel type
  • Flavor notes to look for

This can be a good way to get oriented if you’re new to whiskey or gin and want a structured introduction, rather than guessing what to order at a bar.

2. Cocktails

Many ASW locations also serve cocktails based on their own spirits, such as:

• Whiskey-based classics (Old Fashioned–style drinks, whiskey sours, etc.)
• Gin cocktails (tonic-based drinks, citrus-forward drinks)
• Seasonal or rotating cocktail menus

For Atlanta residents, this makes ASW feel more like a specialty cocktail bar that happens to distill everything in-house.

3. Distillery Tours

At the main distillery space, you’ll often find bookable tours that walk you through:

• The production floor (mash tuns, stills, barrels)
• The basics of mashing, fermenting, distilling, and aging
• How Atlanta’s climate and storage affect flavor over time

Tours can be useful if you’re:

• Curious about how craft spirits are made locally
• Hosting out-of-town guests and want a distinctly Atlanta experience
• Planning a small group outing or celebration

Booking is usually required or strongly recommended—especially on weekends.

Types of Spirits You’ll See

While ASW’s lineup can shift over time, you’ll typically encounter:

• Whiskey

  • Straight bourbon
  • American single malt and other styles
  • Variations in barrel aging and grain mashbills

• Gin

  • Classic gin with juniper and citrus
  • Sometimes more experimental or botanical-forward versions

• Vodka and Specialty Spirits

  • Vodka used as a base for cocktails
  • Occasionally limited or specialty releases

For many Atlantans, ASW is a way to explore local whiskey without leaving the city, instead of visiting rural distilleries that require a longer drive.

Planning Your Visit in Atlanta

Checking Hours and Offerings

ASW’s hours can differ by location and season, especially around:

• Atlanta Braves home games at Truist Park
• Holidays and special events in The Battery Atlanta
• Private events or buyouts at in-town locations

To avoid surprises, Atlantans typically:

• Check hours and last-call times in advance
• Confirm whether tours are running that day
• See if there are any event nights (such as themed tastings or classes)

Reservations vs. Walk-Ins

Patterns vary by site:

• Main distillery / tour location

  • Tours: usually require reservations
  • Tastings: can sometimes accommodate walk-ins, but weekends can be busy

• The Battery Atlanta tasting room

  • Game days and concerts: can be much more crowded
  • Non-event days: often more relaxed

If you’re planning a birthday, team outing, or bachelorette / bachelor stop, it’s smart to reach out ahead of time and ask about group reservations or capacity.

Food Options: What to Expect

ASW is primarily a distillery and tasting room, not a full-service restaurant. Depending on the location, you might find:

• Light snacks (bar-style options, simple bites)
• Occasional food pop-ups or partnerships

However, most people pair their visit with nearby restaurants:

• At The Battery Atlanta, options range from casual to sit-down dining within walking distance.
• At Westside / Midtown locations, you can plan around other Atlanta favorites in those neighborhoods.

If you need a full meal, plan it at a nearby restaurant and treat ASW as either the pre-dinner tasting or after-dinner drinks stop.

Getting There and Getting Around

Atlanta’s layout and traffic can affect how you plan your visit.

Driving and Parking

• TheBattery Atlanta has structured parking decks, with event-day pricing that may differ from non-event days.
• Westside and Midtown often have a mix of small lots and street parking; availability can tighten during peak dining hours or on weekends.

Always factor in:

• Atlanta traffic patterns (afternoon rush hour, game-day congestion)
• Extra time for parking if you’re going before a Braves game or major event

Rideshare and Transit

Because you’ll be sampling alcohol, many locals rely on:

• Rideshare services for direct door-to-door trips
• MARTA to key hubs, combined with a short rideshare or walk, especially from stations like Arts Center, Midtown, or Civic Center, depending on the ASW location and your starting point

Plan your route home in advance, particularly if you’re visiting with a group.

Age Limits, IDs, and Local Rules

Because ASW is a working distillery serving alcohol, standard rules apply:

• 21+ is required to drink; valid photo ID is expected for tastings and cocktails.
• Under-21 policies for tours or non-drinking guests can vary. If you’re considering bringing younger family members on a daytime tour, it’s best to ask the specific location in advance.

In Georgia, distilleries are regulated, and there may be limits on how much you can sample or purchase in a day. Staff will usually handle those details for you as part of the normal experience.

Buying Bottles to Take Home

Most ASW locations offer bottle sales of their spirits so you can take Atlanta-made whiskey, gin, or other products home. This typically works like:

• Making your selection from what’s currently available on-site
• Paying at the tasting room or retail counter
• Carrying the bottle home yourself (not for on-site consumption)

Georgia law may set caps on daily purchases from a distillery, so there might be a limit to how many bottles you can buy on a single visit. Staff will let you know what’s allowed that day.

For Atlantans, this can be a convenient way to:

• Build a small home bar with local spirits
• Bring a host gift that showcases something made in the city
• Share a taste of Atlanta with visiting friends or out-of-state family

Group Visits, Events, and Private Bookings

ASW often appeals to groups looking for something different from the usual restaurant or bar:

• Corporate groups planning team-building or client outings
• Wedding parties looking for a unique pre-celebration activity
• Friends’ nights out or birthday gatherings

If you’re bringing a larger group:

• Ask about group size limits for tours and tastings
• Confirm whether prepayment or deposits are needed
• Check how long the experience typically lasts so you can coordinate nearby dinner reservations

Because many Atlanta venues book quickly on Thursday–Saturday nights, it helps to organize early if your plans fall on a popular date.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors and Locals

A few simple steps can make your ASW Distillery visit smoother:

• Check the calendar 🗓️
  Especially for The Battery Atlanta, look up Braves home games or concerts—crowds and parking costs may spike.

• Plan transportation early 🚗
  Decide in advance whether you’re driving, using MARTA and rideshare, or relying entirely on rideshare so you’re not stuck figuring it out after tastings.

• Pair with a neighborhood plan
  Use ASW as part of a broader Atlanta outing:

  • Westside: Explore local restaurants and breweries nearby.
  • Midtown/in-town: Combine with museums or nearby dining.
  • The Battery: Tie it to a Braves game or live event.

• Confirm what’s offered at your chosen location
  Not every site has the same tour schedule or food options, so check for:

  • Tours vs. tastings only
  • Cocktail menu vs. more basic service
  • Any age restrictions for non-drinking guests

ASW Distillery gives Atlanta residents and visitors a chance to experience locally made spirits, learn how whiskey and gin are produced, and enjoy cocktails in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. With a bit of planning around location, timing, and transportation, you can easily fit an ASW visit into your next Atlanta day or night out.