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25-02-2022, 07:21
Visit the Shut up about Barclay Perkins site (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2022/02/atlanta-brewery-crawl.html)
Stan pulls up outside my hotel on the dot of 11 AM, as arranged. And off we go on our Atlanta brewery crawl.
First stop is Three Taverns (https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium), a brewery tap room in a former dairy. It's well before opening time, but we've arranged to meet brewer Neal Engleman.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ZVhwac3unmKmvH7Xyey7N7qTCvWrlSlcs_QCSV-cfAoX9upYehV_LImaNSbTCk8_DXUo1OW4phSA6mpnP-WaSJkAt2LjA61RDO-xp_R9IsFC3k9_T7RdQdLFrQOgoDbwOC9a7-bnLzN8Kzxuf5f26_nbCZzsOyOgophneR8dfBO7WtoSQP6EmqVv =w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ZVhwac3unmKmvH7Xyey7N7qTCvWrlSlcs_QCSV-cfAoX9upYehV_LImaNSbTCk8_DXUo1OW4phSA6mpnP-WaSJkAt2LjA61RDO-xp_R9IsFC3k9_T7RdQdLFrQOgoDbwOC9a7-bnLzN8Kzxuf5f26_nbCZzsOyOgophneR8dfBO7WtoSQP6EmqVv =s2000)
They've an impressive range of beers on tap. 23 in all. And, more importantly, in a wide range of styles. Including many classic European ones.
We kick off with A Night on Ponce IPA. Which is a classic West Coast IPA. The type of beer I've rally started to get a taste for. And this is a pretty good example, packed with citrus and also packing a punch of bitterness. It's a good start.
Neal has been around a few breweries in Atlanta. His gig before this being at Bold Monk. I'm surprised to discover that one of his biggest sellers is a Doppelbock. Not the sort of beer you'd expect the hep young cats to go for. Pastry Stouts, hazy IPAs and fruited sours are more their thing. There are examples of those styles, but plenty of other stuff, too.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpRDHlL_eNSxyEYwMOzn7eRhiQDI5wdRvgarfX8tAKhN WWfQJjd1u0-YSrmQDg23cz7U5MUi5ZgwKlv22Q5e3ZaZ16Tf_brBkioPOwKTx h5bSZ6H84EuH0xBIER-otIPwtjO1vKT58K7jGWBknAVxPLGzhuvFdS7NS82_SbN5XhHjg l89yGffGdlgt=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpRDHlL_eNSxyEYwMOzn7eRhiQDI5wdRvgarfX8tAKhN WWfQJjd1u0-YSrmQDg23cz7U5MUi5ZgwKlv22Q5e3ZaZ16Tf_brBkioPOwKTx h5bSZ6H84EuH0xBIER-otIPwtjO1vKT58K7jGWBknAVxPLGzhuvFdS7NS82_SbN5XhHjg l89yGffGdlgt=s2000)
We rattle through a Belgian Double, Doppelbock, Czech Dark Lager and an Altbier. All good, solid examples of the styles. The traditional stuff out of the way, we sample a sour with Earl Grey tea and a NE IPA. The latter bursting with fruit and very soft in the mouth. It feels like we've been through 30 years of craft beer evolution in a few glasses.
I can't believe we've already been here two hours. It's time to move on.
Next on the list is Elsewhere Brewing (https://elsewherebrewing.com/). Again, it's well before opening time, but owners Sam and Sarah and brewer Josh are there to welcome us in.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7AbqI9xG7bVkn-wH7AgbuIQmBgrWe2tMxphkCavjBYvcAO58JA2uNyQL8IY2urBy n4wvOgD9hki9hvc1HvjQI_ixMmBW8voMFlJRZ4ej9Hs4k8PFyQ Au-jwQO0Tt_0afBhohoe57XRIjwruK-zDrz0pJHXtS8Qe5clPsnIYmEfRVdY9_dJhGiLvN4=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7AbqI9xG7bVkn-wH7AgbuIQmBgrWe2tMxphkCavjBYvcAO58JA2uNyQL8IY2urBy n4wvOgD9hki9hvc1HvjQI_ixMmBW8voMFlJRZ4ej9Hs4k8PFyQ Au-jwQO0Tt_0afBhohoe57XRIjwruK-zDrz0pJHXtS8Qe5clPsnIYmEfRVdY9_dJhGiLvN4=s2000)
We start with a tour of the brewery. It doesn't take long, as it's very compact. A cute little stainless brewing kit, 6 horizontal fermenters and six horizontal bright tanks.
First beer is a Czech/German hybrid Pls served through a side pull tap. These seem to be getting very popular over here. Josh tells us how they've started sourcing their base malt from the US. From a craft maltster that sources their barley from nearby farmers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguvYmF3GTO8nIBpk3KksSr3XOnq8iyqGFHmmg7OyLlmQ XKa-e0SVL5z6P_h_hIJsTlOGTESgK6lel5iNVZ6ZdbOiRKc7DR4jmA PgwZPwt5PBDZrdQbW1gNQkdm-xH7e2jgEdyB0bWtaga1kJw6xRfMOFkHBx59jDyFOHRCP8be_pq RNhVgEuf27wAU=w360-h640 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguvYmF3GTO8nIBpk3KksSr3XOnq8iyqGFHmmg7OyLlmQ XKa-e0SVL5z6P_h_hIJsTlOGTESgK6lel5iNVZ6ZdbOiRKc7DR4jmA PgwZPwt5PBDZrdQbW1gNQkdm-xH7e2jgEdyB0bWtaga1kJw6xRfMOFkHBx59jDyFOHRCP8be_pq RNhVgEuf27wAU=s2000)
Josh is very focused on the right ingredients. Especially yeast. He makes some mixed fermentation beers. The first he lets us try is inspired by Brasserie de la Senne's Taras Boulba. It's light, refreshing and very dry. Next is a Saison, funky from the Brett Bruxellensis and bone dry. Time is the secret ingredient, Josh says. We fish with a bottle of Lady Brett, a Lambic. It's packed with funky complexity. Another example of the wonders of patience in brewing. You can't rush a beer lie this.
Time is slipping away like a greased eel. We move on again. To Halfway Crooks (https://halfwaycrooks.beer/).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPdzrQTi1VrfZaTC4VmSxtITrVB2MGgbdHUCVyGa5GRo xMa9F6W2C2_4LOWZhfe9bjpv1l3w0rwLJbrJLXrVjIowHDHYNQ 4r7A4ZlM4rBIToUe5jF94JnmL8uvz9hFasQC-axGzLUXWhtLUhFbydl4UnvTncKEvjXKK67ag3hla1tyzuWDBxb SAJJO=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPdzrQTi1VrfZaTC4VmSxtITrVB2MGgbdHUCVyGa5GRo xMa9F6W2C2_4LOWZhfe9bjpv1l3w0rwLJbrJLXrVjIowHDHYNQ 4r7A4ZlM4rBIToUe5jF94JnmL8uvz9hFasQC-axGzLUXWhtLUhFbydl4UnvTncKEvjXKK67ag3hla1tyzuWDBxb SAJJO=s2000)
It's in an old building close to where some of the Olympic games were held in the 1990s. Stan tells me that the area is gentrifying fast. In addition to the brewery, the same block has an artisan bakery and other middle-class frippery.
We enter through the brewhouse at the rear. It's another very compact affair.
Arriving before opening yet again, we meet brewers Joran Van Ginderachter and Shawn Bainbridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ETrUTGii6eSR61gDdzi-oAzCAr6Ou40aonGlRViSYJs1rSi4f7KcB-PKr0UO7Hwu1YiDjO8XevrVapdY0mWblY1S1L9-IJq-BcW-MAt4q9qgOQbmA-Wc-DQ1AOlhIqp3po4mgSetaAu7Hi-IVd1ZiUhCqdHUtIx3QEctwaQtBQDTjnNE3R_UY2vQ=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ETrUTGii6eSR61gDdzi-oAzCAr6Ou40aonGlRViSYJs1rSi4f7KcB-PKr0UO7Hwu1YiDjO8XevrVapdY0mWblY1S1L9-IJq-BcW-MAt4q9qgOQbmA-Wc-DQ1AOlhIqp3po4mgSetaAu7Hi-IVd1ZiUhCqdHUtIx3QEctwaQtBQDTjnNE3R_UY2vQ=s2000)
Once at the bar, we're presented with another side-pull Pils in a lovely Czech-looking handled mug. We adjourn upstairs, which is open to the air. It does have a covering that closes when it's raining.
There's a lot of Belgian influence. Lots of signs are in Dutch. They even sourced the quaintly old-fashioned wallpaper from there. It's a bit like being in your granny's house.
Would I like some food? It would probably be a good idea. All I had for breakfast was a coffee. I'm given a plate of frites topped with stoofvlees. That's do nicely. Hearty and simple.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOpXGzlRdfluaKoOBI4KytzA-27d17PRB_cN0Nk6CkfuZKs65ODQVoye1Q-P3GMznExDjT6w_08t3YzGUQEvwETNa5MH_NEHtbesnugSCbyZ_ l5jTabQIQrBC_hkGJk3zYMRNa85pmG3vQ0_RSEIG6c77fTMB2J y1j1Hqy-54dRmCf9075SyXKNDQB=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOpXGzlRdfluaKoOBI4KytzA-27d17PRB_cN0Nk6CkfuZKs65ODQVoye1Q-P3GMznExDjT6w_08t3YzGUQEvwETNa5MH_NEHtbesnugSCbyZ_ l5jTabQIQrBC_hkGJk3zYMRNa85pmG3vQ0_RSEIG6c77fTMB2J y1j1Hqy-54dRmCf9075SyXKNDQB=s2000)
We've one last brewery to visit. One quite different to the others.
There's been a lot of talk about diversity - or rather the lack of it - in the craft beer world. It's especially striking in a city like Atlanta, where a large percentage of the population is non-white. Which makes Atlantucky (https://atlantucky.com/) rather special. Because it's the city's first black-owned brewery.
It was set up by Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille, half of the hip hop group Nappy Roots. The contrast with the other breweries we've visited is enormous.
For a start, the premises are enormous. A huge hangar of a place that's more like a club than a bar. Something emphasised by the stage, where a female DJ is banging out tunes.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_YgKNhWdu97CBW-JyzcVKIj7bVAx0MygWO7e0Wfya4fTcb_kpziv15naxHnbmMQQ4 zCsPjNEnmPxXGljcD6LibYW9PD2LpgnN_FmIwBgpf0eJ3tOPhs lmajHhN7Bcp2vFPocD_mxsv-JDJZPvDSpz6UWJHIXdwTKEsdoGeYi0DZAV081bCgDmjNVa=w64 0-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_YgKNhWdu97CBW-JyzcVKIj7bVAx0MygWO7e0Wfya4fTcb_kpziv15naxHnbmMQQ4 zCsPjNEnmPxXGljcD6LibYW9PD2LpgnN_FmIwBgpf0eJ3tOPhs lmajHhN7Bcp2vFPocD_mxsv-JDJZPvDSpz6UWJHIXdwTKEsdoGeYi0DZAV081bCgDmjNVa=s20 00)
We head around to the back where they're just transferring today's brew on their tiny kit. It's just a single barrel. They've only recently got up and running and are still feeling their way.
At the bar, we try a couple of their beers. An old-school Pale Ale is first. It has all the citrussy American hops you'd expect in the style and is a pretty easy drinker. A NE IPA is next, with all the fruit you'd expect and perhaps a tad more bitterness than is usual. I save the powerful 8% ABV Imperial Stout until last. It’s full and warming, but could perhaps use a touch more roast.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MpHldsLUiaYvWbNemCMqgG8XX7eu-EUy6d9cubhG7NbmBqPKI7CWtmm17kik0c8wwA9AW4FeMU6-ApXmANlRNLrMFul5bTgJF54kH9CqgwRTGPOkNjdJ2RuL5CPHEL CHuISODgvxxtY6P8SkJXzwnQVyQ8VrWna_TJuBhG651nT4Qse6 kyiw740x=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MpHldsLUiaYvWbNemCMqgG8XX7eu-EUy6d9cubhG7NbmBqPKI7CWtmm17kik0c8wwA9AW4FeMU6-ApXmANlRNLrMFul5bTgJF54kH9CqgwRTGPOkNjdJ2RuL5CPHEL CHuISODgvxxtY6P8SkJXzwnQVyQ8VrWna_TJuBhG651nT4Qse6 kyiw740x=s2000)
I'm pleasantly surprised to see that they have a copy of my Home Brewer's Guide to Vintage Beer Obviously, I sign it for them.
That's us done for breweries. Time to head for Decatur and the Brick Store (https://www.brickstorepub.com/)'s cask ale bar. I wouldn't want to miss out on that.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeIrwqLmTTeKABG85BxMpml37tky5KhWij7gInpoaFKE VQy67FVQcWswdaDxIV6nSgHHMcKvNdF0qU1Rq8z1fKUNM1B2Wj I-cd6RBTw-6hM28ok4K87Pi4mX_NbhvAfozuD4O1PvfwRgnRQ4Q6GqyFEhjv wwDN8IBy7OCY3glX-K7EfqYaVxrFT3ej=w640-h480 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeIrwqLmTTeKABG85BxMpml37tky5KhWij7gInpoaFKE VQy67FVQcWswdaDxIV6nSgHHMcKvNdF0qU1Rq8z1fKUNM1B2Wj I-cd6RBTw-6hM28ok4K87Pi4mX_NbhvAfozuD4O1PvfwRgnRQ4Q6GqyFEhjv wwDN8IBy7OCY3glX-K7EfqYaVxrFT3ej=s1288)
We sit at the bar, right in front of the handpulls. And both order a New Realm English Porter. It's in pretty good condition, with a wonderfully soft carbonation. When did I last drink a Cask beer? 2019, I think. That's far too long. Who knows wen I'll drink it again? Visiting the UK really isn't on at the moment.
Drinking done, it's time to drive up to Duluth. Where we've an event on tomorrow. I crash straight to bed. Well, after a little goodnight whisky.
Three Taverns Imaginarium (https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium)
777 Memorial Dr SE Suite B103,
Atlanta, GA 30316.
https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium
Elsewhere Brewing (https://elsewherebrewing.com/)
1039 Grant St SE Suite B34,
Atlanta, GA 30315.
https://elsewherebrewing.com/
Halfway Crooks Beer (https://halfwaycrooks.beer/)
60 Georgia Ave SE,
Atlanta, GA 30312.
https://halfwaycrooks.beer/
Atlantucky Brewing (https://atlantucky.com/)
170 Northside Dr SW suite 96,
Atlanta, GA 30313.
https://atlantucky.com/
Brick Store Pub (https://www.brickstorepub.com/)
125 E Court Square,
Decatur, GA 30030.
https://www.brickstorepub.com/
More... (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2022/02/atlanta-brewery-crawl.html)
Stan pulls up outside my hotel on the dot of 11 AM, as arranged. And off we go on our Atlanta brewery crawl.
First stop is Three Taverns (https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium), a brewery tap room in a former dairy. It's well before opening time, but we've arranged to meet brewer Neal Engleman.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ZVhwac3unmKmvH7Xyey7N7qTCvWrlSlcs_QCSV-cfAoX9upYehV_LImaNSbTCk8_DXUo1OW4phSA6mpnP-WaSJkAt2LjA61RDO-xp_R9IsFC3k9_T7RdQdLFrQOgoDbwOC9a7-bnLzN8Kzxuf5f26_nbCZzsOyOgophneR8dfBO7WtoSQP6EmqVv =w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-ZVhwac3unmKmvH7Xyey7N7qTCvWrlSlcs_QCSV-cfAoX9upYehV_LImaNSbTCk8_DXUo1OW4phSA6mpnP-WaSJkAt2LjA61RDO-xp_R9IsFC3k9_T7RdQdLFrQOgoDbwOC9a7-bnLzN8Kzxuf5f26_nbCZzsOyOgophneR8dfBO7WtoSQP6EmqVv =s2000)
They've an impressive range of beers on tap. 23 in all. And, more importantly, in a wide range of styles. Including many classic European ones.
We kick off with A Night on Ponce IPA. Which is a classic West Coast IPA. The type of beer I've rally started to get a taste for. And this is a pretty good example, packed with citrus and also packing a punch of bitterness. It's a good start.
Neal has been around a few breweries in Atlanta. His gig before this being at Bold Monk. I'm surprised to discover that one of his biggest sellers is a Doppelbock. Not the sort of beer you'd expect the hep young cats to go for. Pastry Stouts, hazy IPAs and fruited sours are more their thing. There are examples of those styles, but plenty of other stuff, too.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpRDHlL_eNSxyEYwMOzn7eRhiQDI5wdRvgarfX8tAKhN WWfQJjd1u0-YSrmQDg23cz7U5MUi5ZgwKlv22Q5e3ZaZ16Tf_brBkioPOwKTx h5bSZ6H84EuH0xBIER-otIPwtjO1vKT58K7jGWBknAVxPLGzhuvFdS7NS82_SbN5XhHjg l89yGffGdlgt=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpRDHlL_eNSxyEYwMOzn7eRhiQDI5wdRvgarfX8tAKhN WWfQJjd1u0-YSrmQDg23cz7U5MUi5ZgwKlv22Q5e3ZaZ16Tf_brBkioPOwKTx h5bSZ6H84EuH0xBIER-otIPwtjO1vKT58K7jGWBknAVxPLGzhuvFdS7NS82_SbN5XhHjg l89yGffGdlgt=s2000)
We rattle through a Belgian Double, Doppelbock, Czech Dark Lager and an Altbier. All good, solid examples of the styles. The traditional stuff out of the way, we sample a sour with Earl Grey tea and a NE IPA. The latter bursting with fruit and very soft in the mouth. It feels like we've been through 30 years of craft beer evolution in a few glasses.
I can't believe we've already been here two hours. It's time to move on.
Next on the list is Elsewhere Brewing (https://elsewherebrewing.com/). Again, it's well before opening time, but owners Sam and Sarah and brewer Josh are there to welcome us in.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7AbqI9xG7bVkn-wH7AgbuIQmBgrWe2tMxphkCavjBYvcAO58JA2uNyQL8IY2urBy n4wvOgD9hki9hvc1HvjQI_ixMmBW8voMFlJRZ4ej9Hs4k8PFyQ Au-jwQO0Tt_0afBhohoe57XRIjwruK-zDrz0pJHXtS8Qe5clPsnIYmEfRVdY9_dJhGiLvN4=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7AbqI9xG7bVkn-wH7AgbuIQmBgrWe2tMxphkCavjBYvcAO58JA2uNyQL8IY2urBy n4wvOgD9hki9hvc1HvjQI_ixMmBW8voMFlJRZ4ej9Hs4k8PFyQ Au-jwQO0Tt_0afBhohoe57XRIjwruK-zDrz0pJHXtS8Qe5clPsnIYmEfRVdY9_dJhGiLvN4=s2000)
We start with a tour of the brewery. It doesn't take long, as it's very compact. A cute little stainless brewing kit, 6 horizontal fermenters and six horizontal bright tanks.
First beer is a Czech/German hybrid Pls served through a side pull tap. These seem to be getting very popular over here. Josh tells us how they've started sourcing their base malt from the US. From a craft maltster that sources their barley from nearby farmers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguvYmF3GTO8nIBpk3KksSr3XOnq8iyqGFHmmg7OyLlmQ XKa-e0SVL5z6P_h_hIJsTlOGTESgK6lel5iNVZ6ZdbOiRKc7DR4jmA PgwZPwt5PBDZrdQbW1gNQkdm-xH7e2jgEdyB0bWtaga1kJw6xRfMOFkHBx59jDyFOHRCP8be_pq RNhVgEuf27wAU=w360-h640 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguvYmF3GTO8nIBpk3KksSr3XOnq8iyqGFHmmg7OyLlmQ XKa-e0SVL5z6P_h_hIJsTlOGTESgK6lel5iNVZ6ZdbOiRKc7DR4jmA PgwZPwt5PBDZrdQbW1gNQkdm-xH7e2jgEdyB0bWtaga1kJw6xRfMOFkHBx59jDyFOHRCP8be_pq RNhVgEuf27wAU=s2000)
Josh is very focused on the right ingredients. Especially yeast. He makes some mixed fermentation beers. The first he lets us try is inspired by Brasserie de la Senne's Taras Boulba. It's light, refreshing and very dry. Next is a Saison, funky from the Brett Bruxellensis and bone dry. Time is the secret ingredient, Josh says. We fish with a bottle of Lady Brett, a Lambic. It's packed with funky complexity. Another example of the wonders of patience in brewing. You can't rush a beer lie this.
Time is slipping away like a greased eel. We move on again. To Halfway Crooks (https://halfwaycrooks.beer/).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPdzrQTi1VrfZaTC4VmSxtITrVB2MGgbdHUCVyGa5GRo xMa9F6W2C2_4LOWZhfe9bjpv1l3w0rwLJbrJLXrVjIowHDHYNQ 4r7A4ZlM4rBIToUe5jF94JnmL8uvz9hFasQC-axGzLUXWhtLUhFbydl4UnvTncKEvjXKK67ag3hla1tyzuWDBxb SAJJO=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPdzrQTi1VrfZaTC4VmSxtITrVB2MGgbdHUCVyGa5GRo xMa9F6W2C2_4LOWZhfe9bjpv1l3w0rwLJbrJLXrVjIowHDHYNQ 4r7A4ZlM4rBIToUe5jF94JnmL8uvz9hFasQC-axGzLUXWhtLUhFbydl4UnvTncKEvjXKK67ag3hla1tyzuWDBxb SAJJO=s2000)
It's in an old building close to where some of the Olympic games were held in the 1990s. Stan tells me that the area is gentrifying fast. In addition to the brewery, the same block has an artisan bakery and other middle-class frippery.
We enter through the brewhouse at the rear. It's another very compact affair.
Arriving before opening yet again, we meet brewers Joran Van Ginderachter and Shawn Bainbridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ETrUTGii6eSR61gDdzi-oAzCAr6Ou40aonGlRViSYJs1rSi4f7KcB-PKr0UO7Hwu1YiDjO8XevrVapdY0mWblY1S1L9-IJq-BcW-MAt4q9qgOQbmA-Wc-DQ1AOlhIqp3po4mgSetaAu7Hi-IVd1ZiUhCqdHUtIx3QEctwaQtBQDTjnNE3R_UY2vQ=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ETrUTGii6eSR61gDdzi-oAzCAr6Ou40aonGlRViSYJs1rSi4f7KcB-PKr0UO7Hwu1YiDjO8XevrVapdY0mWblY1S1L9-IJq-BcW-MAt4q9qgOQbmA-Wc-DQ1AOlhIqp3po4mgSetaAu7Hi-IVd1ZiUhCqdHUtIx3QEctwaQtBQDTjnNE3R_UY2vQ=s2000)
Once at the bar, we're presented with another side-pull Pils in a lovely Czech-looking handled mug. We adjourn upstairs, which is open to the air. It does have a covering that closes when it's raining.
There's a lot of Belgian influence. Lots of signs are in Dutch. They even sourced the quaintly old-fashioned wallpaper from there. It's a bit like being in your granny's house.
Would I like some food? It would probably be a good idea. All I had for breakfast was a coffee. I'm given a plate of frites topped with stoofvlees. That's do nicely. Hearty and simple.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOpXGzlRdfluaKoOBI4KytzA-27d17PRB_cN0Nk6CkfuZKs65ODQVoye1Q-P3GMznExDjT6w_08t3YzGUQEvwETNa5MH_NEHtbesnugSCbyZ_ l5jTabQIQrBC_hkGJk3zYMRNa85pmG3vQ0_RSEIG6c77fTMB2J y1j1Hqy-54dRmCf9075SyXKNDQB=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOpXGzlRdfluaKoOBI4KytzA-27d17PRB_cN0Nk6CkfuZKs65ODQVoye1Q-P3GMznExDjT6w_08t3YzGUQEvwETNa5MH_NEHtbesnugSCbyZ_ l5jTabQIQrBC_hkGJk3zYMRNa85pmG3vQ0_RSEIG6c77fTMB2J y1j1Hqy-54dRmCf9075SyXKNDQB=s2000)
We've one last brewery to visit. One quite different to the others.
There's been a lot of talk about diversity - or rather the lack of it - in the craft beer world. It's especially striking in a city like Atlanta, where a large percentage of the population is non-white. Which makes Atlantucky (https://atlantucky.com/) rather special. Because it's the city's first black-owned brewery.
It was set up by Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille, half of the hip hop group Nappy Roots. The contrast with the other breweries we've visited is enormous.
For a start, the premises are enormous. A huge hangar of a place that's more like a club than a bar. Something emphasised by the stage, where a female DJ is banging out tunes.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_YgKNhWdu97CBW-JyzcVKIj7bVAx0MygWO7e0Wfya4fTcb_kpziv15naxHnbmMQQ4 zCsPjNEnmPxXGljcD6LibYW9PD2LpgnN_FmIwBgpf0eJ3tOPhs lmajHhN7Bcp2vFPocD_mxsv-JDJZPvDSpz6UWJHIXdwTKEsdoGeYi0DZAV081bCgDmjNVa=w64 0-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_YgKNhWdu97CBW-JyzcVKIj7bVAx0MygWO7e0Wfya4fTcb_kpziv15naxHnbmMQQ4 zCsPjNEnmPxXGljcD6LibYW9PD2LpgnN_FmIwBgpf0eJ3tOPhs lmajHhN7Bcp2vFPocD_mxsv-JDJZPvDSpz6UWJHIXdwTKEsdoGeYi0DZAV081bCgDmjNVa=s20 00)
We head around to the back where they're just transferring today's brew on their tiny kit. It's just a single barrel. They've only recently got up and running and are still feeling their way.
At the bar, we try a couple of their beers. An old-school Pale Ale is first. It has all the citrussy American hops you'd expect in the style and is a pretty easy drinker. A NE IPA is next, with all the fruit you'd expect and perhaps a tad more bitterness than is usual. I save the powerful 8% ABV Imperial Stout until last. It’s full and warming, but could perhaps use a touch more roast.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MpHldsLUiaYvWbNemCMqgG8XX7eu-EUy6d9cubhG7NbmBqPKI7CWtmm17kik0c8wwA9AW4FeMU6-ApXmANlRNLrMFul5bTgJF54kH9CqgwRTGPOkNjdJ2RuL5CPHEL CHuISODgvxxtY6P8SkJXzwnQVyQ8VrWna_TJuBhG651nT4Qse6 kyiw740x=w640-h360 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-MpHldsLUiaYvWbNemCMqgG8XX7eu-EUy6d9cubhG7NbmBqPKI7CWtmm17kik0c8wwA9AW4FeMU6-ApXmANlRNLrMFul5bTgJF54kH9CqgwRTGPOkNjdJ2RuL5CPHEL CHuISODgvxxtY6P8SkJXzwnQVyQ8VrWna_TJuBhG651nT4Qse6 kyiw740x=s2000)
I'm pleasantly surprised to see that they have a copy of my Home Brewer's Guide to Vintage Beer Obviously, I sign it for them.
That's us done for breweries. Time to head for Decatur and the Brick Store (https://www.brickstorepub.com/)'s cask ale bar. I wouldn't want to miss out on that.
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We sit at the bar, right in front of the handpulls. And both order a New Realm English Porter. It's in pretty good condition, with a wonderfully soft carbonation. When did I last drink a Cask beer? 2019, I think. That's far too long. Who knows wen I'll drink it again? Visiting the UK really isn't on at the moment.
Drinking done, it's time to drive up to Duluth. Where we've an event on tomorrow. I crash straight to bed. Well, after a little goodnight whisky.
Three Taverns Imaginarium (https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium)
777 Memorial Dr SE Suite B103,
Atlanta, GA 30316.
https://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/imaginarium
Elsewhere Brewing (https://elsewherebrewing.com/)
1039 Grant St SE Suite B34,
Atlanta, GA 30315.
https://elsewherebrewing.com/
Halfway Crooks Beer (https://halfwaycrooks.beer/)
60 Georgia Ave SE,
Atlanta, GA 30312.
https://halfwaycrooks.beer/
Atlantucky Brewing (https://atlantucky.com/)
170 Northside Dr SW suite 96,
Atlanta, GA 30313.
https://atlantucky.com/
Brick Store Pub (https://www.brickstorepub.com/)
125 E Court Square,
Decatur, GA 30030.
https://www.brickstorepub.com/
More... (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2022/02/atlanta-brewery-crawl.html)