If you’re looking for a low-key place to hang out with friends, you can’t beat meeting at a pub. In celebration of American Craft Beer Week (May 16-22), Encore Atlanta sampled fare from the best pubs in town to create this handy guide to some of the city’s best.
5 Seasons Restaurant and Brewery
Environmentally friendly 5 Seasons offers locally grown, sustainably harvested food and handcrafted beers. More than 40 styles of beer are created annually, and brew tours are offered at the Sandy Springs location every Thursday at 5:55 p.m. 5 Seasons sources its food from local farms such as Crystal Organic Farms, White Oak Pastures, and Moore Farms and Friends. The diverse menu features everything from delicious, crispy calamari to gluten-free pizza. The Alpharetta location is the only local brewery with gluten-free beer; every Monday, special gluten-free menus are available.
Three locations: Sandy Springs: 5600 Roswell Rd.; 404-255-5911; Westside: 1000 Marietta St., 404-875-3232; Alpharetta: 3655 Old Milton Pkwy., 770-521-5551; 5seasonsbrewing.com
Deckard’s American Tavern
Sit back and relax with friends at Deckard’s American Tavern. Deckard’s features 24 specialty draughts, 75 beers in the bottle, 75 hand-picked wines and a rotating cocktail menu. The menu may boast a New England influence, but Chef Matthew Deckard is a huge advocate for supporting local farmers, food companies and coffee roasters. For example, all of the restaurant’s sausages come from the Spotted Trotter in Decatur, and the bread is baked fresh daily. The knowledgeable staff will help you sort through the extensive beer list, but don’t forget about the food! Looking for something different? Try the Scotch egg. Other menu highlights include garlic fries and a fresh cheese plate, served with orange-apricot jam and fresh bread.
Midtown: 650 Ponce De Leon Ave.; 404-941-3520; kitchenandkegs.com
Engine 11
Talk about a conversation starter: This tavern is located in North Avenue’s old Fire Station No. 11. Engine 11 has 16 beers on draft, including American craft brews such as Kona’s Fire Rock Pale Ale from Hawaii, Old Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout from Virginia and Sweetwater 420 & Blue. Menu highlights include the buffalo chicken sandwich and blue cheese chips. Feeling adventurous? Try the ladder burger, which is topped with Swiss cheese and spinach and artichoke dip.
Midtown: 30 North Ave. NE; 404-873-FIRE; engine11atl.com
Gordon Biersch
An Atlanta favorite, Gordon Biersch has locations in Midtown and Buckhead. The unique brewpub atmosphere has something for everyone. Generous patio space encourages conversation, and flat screen TVs at the bar cater to sports enthusiasts. If you want to try several different beers, Gordon Biersch offers a tasting sample of six classics. Available through May 15, a special Hawaiian Pacific-themed menu boasts Gordon Biersch’s seasonal Maibock, a delicious Hawaiian Kobe Burger and Banana Spring Rolls. Any time of year, you can enjoy the seafood Cobb salad and famous garlic fries.
Two locations: Midtown: 848 Peachtree St. NE, 404-870-0805; Buckhead: 3242 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-264-0253; gordonbiersch.com
Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery
Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery is a beer sanctuary set in an industrial-style loft. It’s the oldest independent brewery in Georgia and the only brewpub in downtown Atlanta. The selection of seasonally brewed beers features six beers per rotation. Currently, the most popular is Max Red. So, what makes Max Lager’s so unique? Both the wood-fired food and beer are made from scratch.
Downtown: 320 Peachtree St. NE; 404-525-4400; maxlagers.com
Tap
Named for its international beer list and barrel wine program, Tap also dishes out seasonally driven comfort food. The impressive restaurant’s vibrant red wall serves as a bright contrast to the dark wood and steel fixtures of the restaurant’s interior. The perfect spot to meet up before catching a performance at the Alliance Theatre or Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Tap has something from everyone. Located in Midtown, Tap also has an 1,800-sq. ft. patio for patrons to sit back, relax and people-watch.
Midtown: 1180 Peachtree Street; 404-347-2220; tapat1180.com
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Taylor Dahl freelances for several lifestyle and entertainment publications, and also works for a successful marketing company in Atlanta. She lives in the city with her dog, Lucy.
