Beer Snob: Atlanta Brewing Company
Atlanta holds a special place in my heart. I’m originally from Augusta, Georgia and grew up learning to love baseball. As a result, my team is the Atlanta Braves. Because that was my team I have always held the city in high regard. After meeting Rizzo I also learned that her family, on her mother’s side, was from Atlanta so it was just an added bonus. So when the beers from Atlanta Brewing Company (ABC) arrived in my beer of the month box I was very excited.
While reading through the summary of the brewery provided in my box there were two things that struck me:
Atlanta Brewing Company is the oldest operational craft brewery in the State of Georgia. That sounded cool until you keep reading and learn that it was founded in 1993. That means the oldest craft brewery in Georgia is only 27 years old. That should give you an idea just how new the craft beer industry is in the United States.
Atlanta Brewing Company was founded by a former Guinness executive named Greg Kelly. That brings some good brewing history to the brewery. ABC brought English brewing equipment into their brewhouse to utilize, including a grain mill that was found abandoned in an English meadow but is not still used at ABC.
I’ll be honest, when I went to the website and saw the beer on the front page I really, REALLY wished that was on the box. I’m sure it changes with various beer releases so I’m not sure what is there now but at this writing the cover photo was a beer called Baked Goods II which is a tart cobbler ale brewed with peaches, walnuts, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup. That sounds delicious.
While I wasn’t lucky enough to get those beers, I did get two other offerings.
Soul of the City - This beer is called an American Pale Ale with 5.7% ABV and 45 IBUs. According to the tasting notes, “pouring a bright golden color with crystal clarity and a fluffy head of almost white foam, Soul of the City looks good in the glass as its aroma summons us in for a closer sniff.” I don’t know if you know what that means but I sure don’t.
I feel like most pale ales I’ve had called “American” are just as hoppy, if not more, than any IPA, Double IPA, or Triple IPA. Why do we have to shove so many hops into a beer? Why can’t we just have a balanced beer that is crisp, light, and easy to drink? And if you like some hop flavor, just give it some slight and subtle flavors to add to the enjoyment.
Soul of the City seems to meet that goal. If you throw a few of these beers on ice you will have a great afternoon on a hot summer Sunday afternoon. This beer is less bitter than most pale ales. I could drink one or two of these at a nice afternoon barbecue. The tasting notes suggest that this beer would pair well with fried foods like fish and chips or chicken fingers. I think some grilled chicken would serve even better while sitting outside.
3 out of 5 stars.
Homestand - This light beer is Czech Pilsner with 5.2% ABV and 25 IBUs. According to the tasting notes, “this bronze medal winner at the 2019 Best of Craft Beer Awards presents a golden-straw color in the glass, topped by a cap of rocky pale foam.” What the tasting notes should say is, hey, do you like crappy light beers? Do you enjoy Coors Light for some unknown reason or the slightly brown-tinted water that is sold as Bud Light? Well come on down to ABC and enjoy a real beer called Homestand.
Even more than Soul of the City, Homestand is a beer that was built to be consumed on a Hotlanta day. This beer is light and crisp. The 25 IBUs make it less hoppy than the prior beer but also gives it enough flavor to make you remember that you are drinking a delicious beer and not water that has been colored by left-over coffee grounds. Make this beer ice cold then stand next to a cornhole board for a few hours tossing bags.
And while you are cooking up some chicken for the Soul of the City, toss a few bratwurst on the grill. This beer paired with a piping hot brat on a white bread roll with some mustard and a big side of potato salad will make you wish you were sitting in a beirhall. This beer has the hops you would expect with the clean, refreshing flavor of a pils.
3.75 out of 5 stars.
I know the next time I’m in Atlanta I’ll have to make sure to make a trip to Atlanta Brewing Company.
Cheers!
