New Georgia Breweries 2020

Georgia Brewery Growth

Once again, Georgia saw tremendous growth in craft breweries in 2019.  Many of the breweries planned after the passage of SB85 opened, capitalizing on the ability to focus on own-premise sales or to offer food service.  We continued to fill in the gaps on the map with breweries opening in areas like Cartersvile, Ellijay, Hiawassee, Monroe, and Valdosta.  We also saw established brewers opening 2nd locations such as Cherry Street, Jekyll, Macon Beer Co., and Wild Heaven.

  • As of Dec. 31, 2019 there were 74 production breweries and 37 brewpubs operating in Georgia, plus 6 cideries and 7 meaderies (Does not include contract/gypsy breweries.)
    Map of Georgia breweries, brewpubs, cideries, and meaderies
  • 2019 | 20 new breweries and 8 new brewpubs opened in Georgia.  Georgia also saw 4 brewery/brewpub closures in 2019.
  • 2018 | 11 new breweries and 6 new brewpubs opened in Georgia.
  • 2017 | 13 new breweries and 10 new brewpubs opened in Georgia.
  • 2016 | 7 new breweries and 3 new brewpubs opened in Georgia.

About the numbers:  We count any physical location when tabulating our totals.  This means that a brewery with two locations (like Monday Night Midtown and Garage) will count as two.  However, we do not count gypsy or contract breweries, so a brewery may offer beer here but not be included in the count.

Ironmonger Brewing and Axe Throwing in Marietta, GA

New Georgia Breweries Planned for 2020

This list is ever-changing.  Breweries will be added and moved around here as needed and we’ll update with relevant info throughout the year.

1984 Brewing | Ball Ground, GA

I can’t find much info on this one, just saw a job post online for a Head Brewer which states they are looking to open Summer 2020.

Target Opening: Summer 2020

6S Brewing | Duluth, GA

Under construction as of July 2020.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Facebook

Awkward Brewing | Fayetteville, GA

As of October 2020, Awkward had selected a contractor for work on their brewery and expects work to begin January 2021.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook

Biggerstaff Brewing Co. | O4W Atlanta, GA

Per the AJC, Clay and Sarah Davies will open Biggerstaff Brewing at 521 Edgewood Ave. in early 2020.  The beer lineup will focus on IPAs with sours, coffee beers, and offerings such as a smoked Pale Ale.  The brewery will also open in the mornings to serve coffee and espresso with locally-made pastries.  Staplehouse chef Ryan Smith will head up the culinary program which will feature house-made charcuterie, small plates, sandwiches, salads and snacks, all designed to pair with the brewery’s beers.

Target Opening: Early 2020

More Info: AJC

Big Oak Brewing | Thomasville, GA

Big Oak Brewing is launching a Kickstarter campaign on March 10th to raise funds for their brewery.  They plan to launch with a 15-barrel brewhouse and distribute primarily on draft with a tasting room at the brewery.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Facebook

Candler Rail Brewery | Atlanta, GA

A new brewpub is coming to 1660 DeKalb, former location of The Mercantile, serving up beer and tacos.  Candler Rail Brewery will be the 4th Atlanta area brewery from Allen Porter who recently opened Porter Pizza & Brewery and Porter BBQ & Brewery.

Target Opening: Late October 2020

More Info: Facebook | Atlanta Business Chronicle

Cultivation Brewing Co. | Norcross, GA

Briefly known as Norx (Norcross Brewing), Cultivation plans to open at 650 Langford Drive in Norcross Summer 2020.  The brewery plans to offer a variety of lagers and ales as well as hard seltzer, root beer, and craft sodas.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: AJC / Website 

Debellation Brewing Co. | Richmond Hill, GA

As of early-December 2020 Debellation is under construction and expects to be ready for inspection by the end of the year.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook

Hippin’ Hops Brewery | Atlanta, GA (EAV)

Hippin Hops will be Atlanta’s first black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery.  The owner of Sabbath Brewing shared a picture of them unloading tanks at their facility in late June.  Per Atlanta Business Chronicle “Hippin’ Hops will serve craft beer and artisanal oysters, and it may be Georgia’s first Black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery.”  Clarence Boston, one of the owners of Hippin’ Hops, tells us they are are very excited to bring their beer to EAV.

Target Opening: October 2020

More Info: Atlanta Business Chronicle (Paywall)

Kettlerock Brewing | Peachtree Corners, GA

Under construction as of mid-December 2020.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website / Facebook

Major Humphrey’s Brew Co. | Monroe, GA

The brewery posted on social media in late January 2020 that they were currently working on permitting and licensing.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook

Round Trip Brewing | Atlanta, GA (Upper Westside)

Round Trip began construction of their brewery in late February 2020 in the Underwood Hills neighborhood on Atlanta’s emerging Upper Westside brewery district.  Once complete, the location will feature a two story facility with taproom, brewhouse, event space, package hall, and outdoor area.  Opening date is TBD.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bottleshare Charity - Raising Glasses, Raising Hopes

Sabbath Brewing | East Atlanta Village, GA

Sabbath Brewing originally planned to open in late-2018.  A constant string of challenges with zoning and permits has offered endless delays.  Owner Jeff Oparnica says he hopes the issues will be resolved soon and is now targeting a Summer 2020 opening.

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook | Beer Guys Radio #210

Senoia Beer Company | Senoia, GA

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Split Batch Brewing | Chamblee / Duluth, GA

Split Batch owners Ben Halter and Jay Young have selected a location for their brewery and are attempting to resolve some zoning issues while looking for an alternate location.  They are targeting Chamblee or Duluth to call home.  Both Halter and Young have been very active and successful on the homebrew competition circuit with a variety of sours, IPAs, and Barleywines.  The brewery’s name is a nod to the way they brew now, and what they plan to bring to the brewery with taking a base beer and applying various treatments (yeasts, hops, adjuncts) to create several “split batches.”

Target Opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook

Towerhouse Farm Brewery | Gay, GA

Per their FB page Towerhouse Farm Brewery will be located on 800 acres of farmland in Gay, GA.  Their goals is to make a 100% farm-to-table beverage

Target opening: TBD

More Info: Website | Facebook | Instagram

In addition to the above list, there are several other brewery licenses active in Georgia with a status of “planning.”  However, there’s no additional information available.  If you have any info on a brewery not on our list please let us know.

 New Georgia Breweries 2020 - Recent Openinings

Georgia Brewery Openings in 2020

NOTE: For the purpose of being “open” we are listing only breweries that have a physical location in Georgia.  Some breweries may have beer available now through contract or gypsy brewing.

5/4 Meadery | Roswell, GA

Opened: November 27, 2020

Athentic Brewing Co. | Athens, GA

Opened: June 27, 2020 (Curbside pickup, pre-orders only.  More info here.)

More Info: Facebook

Atlantucky Brewing | Atlanta (Castleberry Hill), GA

Opened: November 2020

Website / Instagram | Beer Guys Radio: 1, 2

Back Paddle Brewing | Lincolnton, GA

Opened: October 9, 2020

More info: Facebook

Barrier Island Brewing | Saint Simons, GA

Opened: January 2020

More Info: Facebook

Cochran Mill Brewing Co. | Fairburn, GA

Opened: April 2020 for curbside growler fills, May 2020 limited taproom

More Info: Facebook

Currahee Brewing | Clayton, GA

Opened: Grand opening September 26, 2020

More Info: Website

The Dahlonega Brewery | Dahlonega, GA (Previously Etowah Brewery)

Opened: Grand opening 10/17/20

More info: Facebook

Elsewhere Brewing | Atlanta (Grant Park), GA

Opened: Grand opening October 24, 2020

More Info: Facebook |  Eater Atlanta

Fall Line Brewing Co. | Macon, GA

Opened: Early March 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook

Fire Maker Brewing Co. | Atlanta, GA

Opened: Soft open beginning March 6, 2020 with Grand Opening set for March 28, 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook

Fox City Brewing | Forsyth, GA

Opened: Grand opening July 4, 2020

More Info: Facebook

Freight & Rail Brewing Co. | Calhoun, GA

Opened: Soft opening February 29th

More Info: Website | Facebook

Hop Atomica | Savannah, GA

Opened: July 10, 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook

Horned Owl Brewing | Kennesaw, GA

Opened: Grand Opening November 4, 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant | Buckhead – Atlanta, GA

Opened: Grand opening December 15, 2020

More Info: Website

Ironshield Beer / Big Kettle Brewing | Lawrenceville, GA

Opened: Grand opening July 11, 2020

More Info:  Website | Facebook | Gwinnett Daily Post

Monkey Wrench Brewing | Suwanee, GA

Opened: February 2020

More info: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Normaltown Brewing Co. | Athens, GA

Opened: February 2020

More Info: Facebook

Outrun Brewing | Stone Mountain Village, GA

Opened: July 3, 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook | Beer Guys Radio #210

Red Hare Brewing – Marietta Square | Marietta, GA

Opened: October 28, 2020

More Info: AJC

Red Top Brewhouse | Acworth, GA

Target Opening: Previews in late July, officially opened August 1, 2020.

More Info: Website | Facebook

Rightside Brewing Co. (non-alcoholic) | Lawrenceville, GA (Contract)

Opened: December 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook

Scofflaw Brewing at The Works “Dr. Scofflaw’s” | Atlanta, GA

The second location of Atlanta’s Scofflaw Brewing is planned as a large R&D brewery coming to The Works in the Upper Westside.

Target Opening: October 31. 2020

Silver Bluff Brewing | Brunswick, GA

Opened: Grand opening July 1, 2020

More Info: Facebook

Social Fox Brewing | Norcross, GA

Opened: May 1, 2020

More Info: Website | Facebook | Beer Guys Radio #210

Split Fin Brewing | Midway, GA

Opened: June 4, 2020

More Info: Facebook

Strange Duck Brewing Co. | Commerce, GA

Opened: April 2020 (To-go growler fills only as of June 14, 2020)

More Info: Website | Facebook

Taffer’s Tavern | Alpharetta, GA

Opened: November 2020

Three Taverns Imaginarium | Atlanta, GA

Opened: Grand opening 10/17/20

More Info: Introducing: Three Taverns Imaginarium

Viking Alchemist Meadery | Marietta and Smyrna, GA

Opened: May and June 2020

More Info: Press Release

Waldmet Cellars | Jasper, GA

Opened: Grand opening August 29, 2020

More Info: Facebook

New Georgia Breweries 2020 - Beyond 2020

Georgia Breweries Planned Beyond 2020

We’re streamlining this section a bit this year and will list the name, location, and links if we have them.  

Georgia brewery closings closures

Georgia Brewery Closings and Cancellations

Blauer Wolf Brewery | Helen, GA

The brewery announced on December 1st via Facebook that they were closed.  The location has been sold and is anticipated to reopen as another brewery in the future.

Freight & Rail Brewing Co. | Calhoun, GA (Possibly temporary)

Freight & Rail announced on Facebook that they would be closing for the month of January after failing to secure additional funding.  For now, they hope this to be a temporary closure.

Hop Soul Brewery | Brunswick, GA

The owners of Hop Soul Brewery announced on Facebook that they are closing effective July 7, 2020.

Jailhouse Brewing Co. | Hampton, Ga

After 10 years, Jailhouse announced via Facebook they are closing their brewery after one last party on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

Leprechauno Meadery

The owners announced in early December 2020 that they would cease operations at the end of the year.

Rome City Brewing Co.

Per their Facebook page, Rome City has ceased operations as a brewery and is now a bar and restaurant only.

https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/New-Georgia-Breweries-2020-800x419.jpghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/New-Georgia-Breweries-2020-150x150.jpgTim DennisBreweriesBrewery ProfilesBrewpubsFeaturesNewsAtlanta breweries,Atlanta brewery,Atlanta brewpub,Georgia breweries,Georgia brewery,Georgia brewpubGeorgia Brewery Growth Once again, Georgia saw tremendous growth in craft breweries in 2019.  Many of the breweries planned after the passage of SB85 opened, capitalizing on the ability to focus on own-premise sales or to offer food service.  We continued to fill in the gaps on the map with...Cold beer, hot conversations, stupid jokes.