North Georgia has many wineries and vineyards. But local craft breweries are rapidly becoming just as popular. Drinking a glass of beer and enjoying the stunning North Georgia mountains is a perfect Southern experience!
For this article, I’ve looked into dozens of North Georgia Breweries and picked some of the best ones for your itinerary. Here are 7 must-visit North Georgia Breweries for you and your friends to check out!
Why Checkout the Best Breweries in North Georgia?
In visiting a local brewery, you’ll find and sample the best beers the state of Georgia offers! Additionally, the beers are made from the finest ingredients and support local businesses.
But if you’re on the fence about which brewery to visit, this list should help some
| Brewery | Location | Google Ratings | Untapped Ratings |
| Creature Comforts | 271 W Hancock Ave, Athens, GA | 4.7 stars/ 564 reviews | 3.99 stars/ 126,483 reviews |
| Grumpy Old Men | 1315 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA | 4.8 stars/ 477 reviews | 3.73 stars/ 20,090 reviews |
| Fannin Brewing Company | 3758 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA | 4.6 stars/ 119 reviews | 3.54 stars/ 8,152 reviews |
| Tantrum Brewing Company | 1939 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, GA | 4.7 stars/ 334 reviews | 3.74 stars/ 11,784 reviews |
| Talking Rock Brewery | 4500 GA-136 W, Talking Rock, GA | 4.9 stars/ 81 reviews | 3.83 stars/ 1,077 reviews |
| Reformation Brewery | 105 Elm St, Woodstock, GA | 4.8 stars/ 650 reviews | 3.75 stars/ 92,421 reviews |
| Cartecay River Brewing Co. | 26 River Terrace #1A, East Ellijay, GA | 4.8 stars/ 158 reviews | 3.81 stars / 4,625 reviews |
Brewing Your Own Beer
If you want to brew your own beer, it just takes some time, education, and the right equipment. For example, you could useMr. Beer Bonus Edition Beer Making Kit.
Brew your first batch in 30 minutes by following the detailed instructions for beginners. You can take some inspiration from the below North Georgia breweries.
1. Creature Comforts Brewing Co.
| Address: 271 W Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601, United States  Contact No: +1 706-410-1043  Operating Hours: 12 PM – 10 PM (Saturday) 1 PM – 6 PM (Sunday) 5 PM – 10 PM (Monday – Thursday) 3 PM – 10 PM (Friday) | Recommended Brews: Tropicalia (IPA) Cosmik Debris (Double IPA) Koko Bunie PorterAthena (Berliner Weisse) Automatic Pale Ale   Check out what’s on tap here! |
Creature Comforts is an excellent brewery in downtown Athens. It’s only 0.4 miles and a 10-minute walk from the University of Georgia’s North Campus.
It is incredibly popular among UGA students and alumni. However, it’s the perfect spot for a good beer for any adult.
Treat yourself to a selection of their most flavorful classic brews, or try their mixed drinks. You can hang out indoors or in the spacious outdoor pavilion.
In the taproom, you’ll find brews to take home. In 2021, Creature Comforts launched its first beer pack with various brews from Tropicalia, Automatic, Athena, and Bibo.
2.  Grumpy Old Men Brewing
| Address: 1315 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, United States  Contact No: +1 706-946-2739  Operating Hours: 12 PM – 7 PM (Monday – Wednesday) 12 PM – 8 PM (Thursday – Saturday) 12:30 PM – 7 PM (Sunday) | Recommended Brews:  Aska Pale Ale Hell’s Holler (Porter) Grasshoppa Imperial (IPA) Scentsation (Double IPA) Moon Over Blue Ridge (Wheat Beer) Stay Puffy (Marshmallow Stout)  Check out their Taproom here |
Grumpy Old Men Brewing offers great beers with a touch of the local culture. You can enjoy their fine Southern food and mountain tapas while listening to live music.
From the great minds of two beer enthusiasts, the Grumpy Old Men Brewing became a town-favorite. Their principle is simple: “If we don’t like it, we don’t drink it; If we don’t drink it, we don’t sell it.â€
And if you’re looking for an extra fun time, check out their Saturday and Thursday night karaoke. You can bring your pup, as it is a dog-friendly brewery.
Travel Tip: The Grumpy Old Men Brewing is only an 8-minute drive from the popular Bear Claw Vineyards and Winery, Inc., where you can experience wine tastings and a ground tour of its property.
You can also rent its charming Blue Ridge Treehouse – one of the best treehouses in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
3. Fannin Brewing Company
| Address: 3758 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, United States  Contact No: +1 706-258-2762  Operating Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM (Sunday, Monday, & Thursday) 12 PM – 8 PM (Friday & Saturday) Closed on Tuesday & Wednesday | Recommended Brews:  Hive Kicker (German-style Wheat Wine Ale) Toccoa Brown Ale Chief White Path (IPA) Blue Ridge Lager Hiawassee Golden Ale  Check out all their selections here |
Fannin Brewing Company is a taste of Germany paired with North Georgia culture. This unique experience is popular among both visitors and residents of Blue Ridge.
Tom Fennell, the founder of this brewery, was keen to put up his brewing company in Fannin county for its “fresh air and fresh water,†which equates to “fresh beer.†As a result, the crafted beers made of local ingredients became a love letter to the spectacular Northern Georgia mountains.
Try their strong but flavorful signature brews. And bring home some in growler bottles when you get into their tasting room.
Don’t forget to pay a visit during Oktoberfest too!
Travel Tip: From the Fannin Brewing Company, take a 6-minute drive to the Mercier Orchards, and have a taste of rare seasonal wines and hard ciders pressed in their in-house facility. It’s also a top place for apple picking!
4. Tantrum Brewing Company
| Address: 1939 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, GA 30528, USA  Contact No: +1 706-809-2888  Operating Hours: 3 PM – 9 PM (Wednesday & Thursday) 12 PM to 10 PM (Friday & Saturday) 1 PM to 7 PM (Sunday) *Closed on Monday and Tuesday  | Recommended Brews: Folklore (IPA) Close Closer Imperial (IPA) Boom Gose the Dynamite (Traditional Gose) Dunkelweisse (Wheat Beer) Life in the Shadows (Stout)  Check out all selections here  |
It’s easy to have a great time at Tantrum Brewing Company. It has a selection of good beers and is the perfect location for a fresh mountain breeze!
Among the gorgeous view of Yonah mountains, you can also enjoy live music from local performers and savor some sweet time in this brewery.
Order their flights to get the best of their brews. And don’t forget to sample incredible food from the food trucks like:
- super tacos
- inked pig BBQ
- lobster dogs
For a fun night, also check out their schedule for trivia nights, bingo, special events, and other activities on their website.
5. Talking Rock Brewery
| Address: 4500 GA-136 W, Talking Rock, GA 30175, United States  Contact No: +1 706-253-2337  Operating Hours: 4 PM – 8 PM (Thursday) 12 PM – 9 PM (Friday & Saturday) 12 PM – 7 PM (Sunday) Closed from Monday to Wednesday | Recommended Brews:  Caboose (Red Ale) In the Haze (IPA) Heritage (Pale Ale) Boxcar Willie (Kolsch) 3:10 to Brussels (Wheat Beer)  Check out their full list of beers here   |
The Talking Rock Brewery was founded in a restored vintage railcar, which is a local attraction by itself!
You can enjoy its fine selection of cold local beers while listening to great music or playing Bingo. Its huge outdoor areas are also a great place to have picnics with your kids, play a corn hole tournament or giant Jenga, and eat great food from food trucks!
6.  Reformation Brewery
| Address: 105 Elm St, Woodstock, GA 30188, United States  Contact No: +1 678-345-8080  Operating Hours: 8 AM – 1 AM (Friday & Saturday) 8 AM – 11 PM (Sunday to Thursday) | Recommended Brews: Jude (Belgian Tripel) Cadence (Belgian-style Dubbel) Declaration (Stout) Stark (Porter) Haddy (Wheat Beer)   Check out their full list at their website |
Reformation Brewery is a premier local brewery in the greater Atlanta area and produces some of the greatest-tasting beers in Georgia.
With a cozy atmosphere, spacious outdoor seating, and lots of fantastic brews, and you’ve got a perfect place for hanging out with friends on a weekend.
Visit their website for upcoming events. You can also find a Reformation brewery in their Smyrna and the Canton locations.Â
7.  Cartecay River Brewing Co.
| Address: 26 River Terrace #1A, East Ellijay, GA 30540, United States Contact No: +1 706-395-8935 Â Operating Hours: 2 PM – 7 PM (Monday -Wednesday) 2 PM – 8 PM (Thursday) 2 Pm – 9 PM (Friday) 12 PM – 9 PM (Saturday) Â | Recommended Brews: Blood Orange (IPA) Mango Caliente (Double IPA) Puppers Pale Ale Wake Me Up When September Ends (Marzen) Afterglow (Belgian Tripel) Â Check out their website here |
The Cartecay River Brewing Co. boasts two features that define the best North Georgia breweries: brews and views. Located near the Cartecay river with a gorgeous view of the Appalachian mountains, this four-barrel craft brewery offers tasty beers and other spirits in their tasting barn.
Enjoy the live music in their outdoor space while taking all in the scenic beauty around.
You can learn a thing or two from the knowledgeable staff about the brewing process or play games indoors like shuffleboard, darts, and many board games. And after visiting the brewery, there are some excellent dining options in downtown Ellijay!
The Bottom Line
North Georgia breweries are some of the best places to visit when planning a fun itinerary. Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or a vacationer trying to relax, take time to savor the finest beers with a spectacular view from the breweries listed above.
Other Things You Can Enjoy in North Georgia:
- Taste high-quality farm wines at the best Wineries near Blue Ridge
- Book a stay at the luxurious cabins near Georgia’s breathtaking waterfalls
- Or try fly fishing in the Georgia mountains.
