Quick answer
Atlanta's craft beer scene has grown from a handful of pioneers to one of the South's most vibrant brewing communities. With 50+ breweries in the metro area, the city offers everything from internationally-recognized IPAs to carefully crafted traditional lagers.
- Best overall
- Monday Night Brewing - The Garage
- Top pick
- Monday Night Brewing - The Garage
Top verdicts
- Monday Night Brewing - The Garage: Sour beer enthusiasts and barrel-aged beer lovers
- SweetWater Brewing Company: First-time visitors wanting to experience Atlanta beer history
- New Realm Brewing Co.: Date nights, groups, visitors wanting views + quality beer + food
The scene really took off after Georgia's 2017 beer law reforms allowed breweries to sell directly to consumers. Since then, taprooms have become neighborhood gathering spots, and brewery crawls along the BeltLine and through West Midtown have become weekend traditions.
What makes Atlanta's scene special is its diversity. You'll find SweetWater's classic pale ales that put the city on the craft beer map, Scofflaw's bold hazy IPAs that gained a cult following, Three Taverns' Belgian-inspired complexity, and newer spots like Halfway Crooks bringing traditional lager brewing to the forefront.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monday Night Brewing - The Garage | sour | mid | West End | |
| 2 | SweetWater Brewing Company | pale-ale | mid | Armour / Ottley Drive | |
| 3 | New Realm Brewing Co. | ipa | high | Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine | |
| 4 | Scofflaw Brewing Co. | ipa | mid | West Midtown | |
| 5 | Three Taverns Craft Brewery | belgian | mid | Decatur | |
| 6 | Bold Monk Brewing Co. | belgian | high | Upper Westside | |
| 7 | Halfway Crooks Beer | lager | mid | Summerhill | |
| 8 | Arches Brewing | lager | mid | East Point (Atlanta Utility Works) | |
| 9 | Wild Heaven Beer | varied | mid | Avondale Estates (near Decatur) | |
| 10 | Fire Maker Brewing Company | varied | mid | West Midtown (Brewery District) |
1Monday Night Brewing - The Garage
SoursQuick comparison
- Best for
- Sour beer enthusiasts and barrel-aged beer lovers
- Strengths
- Known for Sours · West End
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- One of Atlanta's most beloved breweries with two distinct locations. The Garage specializes in sours and barrel-aged beers.
- What to order
- Monday Night Brewing - The Garage is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
2SweetWater Brewing Company
Atlanta ClassicQuick comparison
- Best for
- First-time visitors wanting to experience Atlanta beer history
- Strengths
- Known for Atlanta Classic · Armour / Ottley Drive
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- The OG Atlanta craft brewery — essential for understanding the city's beer scene.
- What to order
- SweetWater Brewing Company is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
3New Realm Brewing Co.
BeltLineQuick comparison
- Best for
- Date nights, groups, visitors wanting views + quality beer + food
- Strengths
- Known for BeltLine · Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Best brewery views in Atlanta combined with excellent beer and food.
- What to order
- New Realm Brewing Co. is a featured pick in this guide.
4Scofflaw Brewing Co.
Hazy IPAsQuick comparison
- Best for
- IPA lovers who want bold, hop-forward beers
- Strengths
- Known for Hazy IPAs · West Midtown
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Atlanta's go-to for hazy IPAs. Their Basement IPA is legendary.
- What to order
- Scofflaw Brewing Co. is a featured pick in this guide.
5Three Taverns Craft Brewery
Belgian-StyleQuick comparison
- Best for
- Belgian beer fans and those seeking complexity over hops
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian-Style · Decatur
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Atlanta's best for Belgian-inspired complexity and craft.
- What to order
- Three Taverns Craft Brewery is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
6Bold Monk Brewing Co.
Belgian-InspiredQuick comparison
- Best for
- Foodies who want excellent beer AND excellent food
- Strengths
- Known for Belgian-Inspired · Upper Westside
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Best overall experience combining beer, food, and atmosphere.
- What to order
- Bold Monk Brewing Co. is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
7Halfway Crooks Beer
LagersQuick comparison
- Best for
- Lager lovers and fans of traditional European brewing
- Strengths
- Known for Lagers · Summerhill
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Atlanta's best spot for traditional lagers in a beautiful setting.
- What to order
- Halfway Crooks Beer is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
8Arches Brewing
LagersQuick comparison
- Best for
- Lager enthusiasts and German beer fans
- Strengths
- Known for Lagers · East Point (Atlanta Utility Works)
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Atlanta's premier spot for traditional lagers. Only 15 minutes from downtown.
- What to order
- Arches Brewing is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
9Wild Heaven Beer
Diverse StylesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Families and groups wanting variety in a relaxed setting
- Strengths
- Known for Diverse Styles · Avondale Estates (near Decatur)
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Consistently great beer in a welcoming atmosphere.
- What to order
- Wild Heaven Beer is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
10Fire Maker Brewing Company
Diverse StylesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Beer explorers who want variety and good food
- Strengths
- Known for Diverse Styles · West Midtown (Brewery District)
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Great location in the Brewery District with solid beer and new dining options.
- What to order
- Fire Maker Brewing Company is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What kind of craft beer scene does Atlanta have?
Atlanta boasts a thriving and diverse craft beer scene, offering everything from established large-scale breweries like SweetWater to innovative small-batch operations. You'll find a wide range of styles, including hop-forward IPAs, traditional lagers, complex Belgian-inspired ales, and experimental sours, often served in unique taprooms with vibrant atmospheres and food options.
Are Atlanta breweries kid-friendly or dog-friendly?
Many of Atlanta's craft breweries are highly kid-friendly and dog-friendly, especially those with spacious outdoor patios or beer gardens. It's common to see families and pet owners enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Bold Monk, Monday Night Brewing, Wild Heaven, and Arches Brewing are generally very accommodating. Always check the individual brewery's policy beforehand.
Can I tour breweries in Atlanta?
Yes, several Atlanta breweries offer tours of their facilities, providing insights into their brewing process and history. SweetWater Brewing Company frequently offers tours that can be booked online. It's best to check the individual brewery's website for tour schedules, availability, and any booking requirements, as some might require advance reservations.
Do Atlanta breweries serve food?
While some breweries, like New Realm Brewing Co. and Bold Monk Brewing Co., operate as full-service brewpubs with extensive food menus, many others focus primarily on beer. However, it's very common for breweries without their own kitchen to host local food trucks, especially on weekends and evenings. Checking their social media or website for food truck schedules is recommended.
What's the best way to get to Atlanta's breweries?
Atlanta's breweries are spread across various neighborhoods, so transportation depends on your itinerary. The Atlanta BeltLine provides excellent walking and biking access to breweries like New Realm. For others, ride-sharing services (Uber/Lyft) are convenient. MARTA (Atlanta's public transit) can get you close to some, but direct access often requires a short walk or transfer.
What are the signature beer styles in Atlanta?
Atlanta doesn't have one signature style — it's known for diversity. SweetWater built its reputation on pale ales, Scofflaw is famous for hazy IPAs, Three Taverns specializes in Belgian-inspired beers and sours, Arches focuses on traditional lagers, and Halfway Crooks brews both lagers and Belgian styles. You can find almost any style across the city's breweries.
Which Atlanta brewery has the best atmosphere?
For views, New Realm on the BeltLine can't be beat with its expansive patio. Bold Monk offers a unique experience combining a brewery, restaurant, beer garden, and bookstore. Monday Night's Garage location has a cozy industrial vibe perfect for sour beer lovers. Halfway Crooks in Summerhill features a rooftop bar with great neighborhood views.
How much does a beer cost at Atlanta breweries?
Pint prices typically range from $6-9 at most Atlanta breweries. Flights (tasting samples) usually run $12-18 for 4-6 beers. Higher-ABV specialty beers, barrel-aged releases, or imports may cost more. Most breweries offer happy hour specials on weekdays. Overall, Atlanta's craft beer scene offers good value compared to other major cities.