My Favorite Atlanta Craft Beer of 2013

Move over sweet tea – in recent years, Atlanta has been a growing market in the craft beer industry. If it’s Southern hospitality and boiled peanuts don’t win you over, its sensational suds surly will. If you’re traveling through the area, these are some of our top picks:

Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout – Terrapin Beer Company
While we aren’t typically fans of chocolaty beers, this really hits the nail on the head. Coming in at 6% ABV, Moo-Hoo is a sweet stout and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s rich and creamy texture is due in part to the addition of cocoa nibs and shells from Tennessee-based Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Company (whose chocolate is also used as an ingredient in another rich delight from Terrapin – their Dos Cocoas Chocolate Porter). If you’re in Atlanta, you should definitely pick up a pack or take a short trip out to Athens (about an hour east) for a tour of the brewery.

LowRYEder IPA – SweetWater Brewing Company
SweetWater Brewing Company hasn’t “floated the mainstream” since they opened back in 1997. A part of their year-round offerings since August of 2012, SweetWater’s LowRYEder IPA has a nice base of earthy rye malt complimented by a bitter citrus hop profile from a combination of Mt. Hood and Centennial hops. We’ve always been big fans of this flavorful & hopped-up brew, and this beer got the recognition it deserved when it took home the gold in the Rye Beer category at this year’s GABF. With LowRYEder, SweetWater has managed to make a very memorable beer that can distinguish itself in the midst of America’s recent IPA craze.

Motor Boat ESB – SweetWater Brewing Company
Another standout beer from Atlanta’s SweetWater brewery is the Motor Boat ESB (extra special bitter). This beer is part of the brewery’s limited availability, seasonal Catch N’ Release series. This 5.6% ABV ESB is bitterly hoppy without being overpowering in either regard. Be sure to check it out if you can and while it lasts.