Atlanta's craft beer scene has exploded over the past decade, and the city now rewards a dedicated brewery crawl as well as any in the South. Here's a guide to the essential stops across the metro.
West Midtown: The Heavyweights
Start in West Midtown, the densest pocket of breweries in the city. SweetWater Brewing, founded in 1997, is the elder statesman — its huge taproom off Ottley Drive is a rite of passage, and the flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale is a Georgia icon. A few minutes away, Monday Night Brewing's original 'Brewing & Bottling' space pours hop-forward ales and barrel-aged stouts in a fun, necktie-themed room.
The BeltLine: Walk It Off
Atlanta's BeltLine has become a brewery corridor of its own. On the Eastside Trail, New Realm Brewing — co-founded by legendary brewmaster Mitch Steele — pours polished IPAs and lagers with a rooftop view, while Monday Night's Garage on the Westside Trail brings sours and a buzzing patio. The beauty of the BeltLine is that you can walk or bike between stops instead of driving.
The Eastside: Decatur & Avondale
Head east to the Decatur and Avondale Estates corridor, where Wild Heaven Beer has anchored the scene since 2010 and Three Taverns brings a Belgian sensibility and a serious sour program. Both are walkable, community-minded taprooms that capture the laid-back eastside vibe.
Planning Your Crawl
MARTA and rideshares make a car-free crawl realistic, especially around West Midtown and the BeltLine. Most Atlanta breweries are dog- and family-friendly and rotate food trucks, so you can make a full afternoon of it. Bring a cooler — nearly all of them sell cans to go.