Give Dad What He Wants: A Booze Tour
Distilleries and breweries provide plenty of options for a flavorful bonding with your father.
Robbie Medwed writes for koshercocktail.com. Find these and other kosher cocktail recipes there. L’chaim!
The question of what to do for Father’s Day never gets any easier. It’s hard enough finding something affordable to do that Dad will enjoy, but you also have to consider siblings, family members and other parents.
This year, consider skipping the awkward brunches and dinners you’re planning, and don’t bother with the same gift certificate you have been buying every year. Instead of spending all that money and energy on choosing the perfect spot or planning the perfect day, try this instead: Take dad to one of our local breweries or distilleries for a round of drinks and some low-pressure, quality time together.
Here are some of the best and most affordable options for a Father’s Day that’s sure to make everyone happy.
Monday Night Brewing
670 Trabert Ave., West Midtown, mondaynightbrewing.com
Monday Night Brewing is Atlanta’s only certified kosher brewery. All its year-round brews are hechshered, and Monday Night has some great seasonal drinks. Admission of $12 gets you six 6-ounce pours of beer, plus a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing facility.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Orpheus Brewing
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Midtown, www.orpheusbrewing.com
When it comes to new and different flavors, Orpheus leads the pack. If your dad fancies himself a bit of a beer snob, take him here and blow his mind with the tarts and sours. Plus, Orpheus’ tasting room and patio overlook Piedmont Park, which is perfect on a sunny afternoon. Enjoy seven 5-ounce samples and a tour for $14.
Thursday and Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Gate City Brewing Co.
43 Magnolia St., Roswell, www.gatecitybrewingcompany.com
Good beer has made it to the suburbs! Gate City is a new kid on the block that has made quite a splash lately. It’s right in the center of historic Roswell and not far from some of the great restaurants in town. Gate City pours six 6-ounce glasses for $15.
Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m.
SweetWater Brewing Co.
195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, sweetwaterbrew.com
The granddaddy brewery that started it all in Atlanta, SweetWater is a crowd-pleaser that always has something interesting on tap. It has a taproom filled with great beers, an expansive patio, and a room called The Woodlands, which has SweetWater’s higher-end and experimental drafts on tap. Get six 6-ounce pours and a tour for $12.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Creature Comforts Brewing Co.
271 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, www.creaturecomfortsbeer.com
Creature Comforts has been putting out some of Georgia’s best beer lately, and it’s absolutely worth the drive to its Athens tasting room and brewery. These folks have beer that will impress the snobbiest beer aficionados and even persuade nonbeer drinkers to love beer. Get six 6-ounce pours and a tour for $14.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m.
American Spirit Whiskey
199 Armour Drive, Suite C, Atlanta, www.americanspiritwhiskey.com
American Spirit’s Atlanta facility recently opened, and it has been putting out exciting products ever since, including the first rye distilled within the city limits in over 100 years and an apple brandy made from local apples. There are seven tour-and-tasting options, ranging from $8 for a simple 3-taste all the way up to $50, which includes a bottle to take home with you. You can choose multiple levels for multiple people on the same day.
Thursday and Friday, 4:30 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.
Old Fourth Ward Distillery
487 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, o4d.com
Old Fourth Ward Distillery holds the distinction of being the first distillery in the city of Atlanta since before Prohibition. Since opening just over a year ago, it has made quite a name for itself with vodka, gin, and Lawn Dart, a lemon-ginger liqueur. Old Fourth Ward is aging its first batch of bourbon, which will be released in a few years. A regular tasting tour is $10 per person, but $30 will give you a tour and a bottle to take home. Reservations are recommended.
Thursday and Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.
Richland Rum
333 E. Broad St., Richland, www.richlandrum.com
Richland Rum is the United States’ only single-estate rum. That means Richland grows all the sugarcane it uses to distill its rum itself, following the traditions of long ago. Richland is also certified kosher. The distillery is helping revitalize the small town of Richland and is worth the day trip southeast of Columbus. While you’re there, take home a bottle of Richland’s pure sugarcane syrup, Almost Rum. Free tours include tastings and are available every hour on the hour. Richland Rum also has a souvenir shop.
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the hour; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment
comments