Perfect Pours

Gwinnett’s 13 breweries offer award-winning craft beers and great times

BY MIKE JORDAN

Everything’s stellar at Good Word, where natural light pours in from floor-to-ceiling windows the same way liquid gold—in the form of brews like the Holographic Heart golden ale—flows into pint glasses. The Duluth brewpub also claims to have the world’s best wings and serves classic cocktails like the French 75.

Anderby Brewing

High-ABV beers and sours made with 100 percent real fruit are what this four-year-old Peachtree Corners brewery loves making the most. Stop in and try Chunkzilla’s Tiki Party, a strong imperial stout, or the Sour Trip pineapple upside-down cake sour.

StillFire Brewing

There’s a beer for every sort of sipper at this Suwanee spot, from suds named after iconic WWE wrestlers (try the Ric Flair X-Treme American Lager at 9.5% ABV), to tropical IPAs, gummy-bear-inspired sour ales, and more than 20 other award-winning beers that prove StillFire is off to a great start after only three years in operation.

Blackbird Farms Brewery

This farm-inspired Lilburn brewing company incorporates locally foraged herbs, berries, flowers, and fruits into its beers. Step inside for fun and flavorful brews like the chocolate-y Taxidermy Porter or the light Georgia Airport lager, and bring the kids for a Little Llamas non-alcoholic root beer.

Indio Brewing Co.

When someone says they don’t see diversity in craft beer, bring them to this eclectic Latinowned and-operated (also wife- and husband-owned) Sugar Hill brewery, where notes of citrus and berries are incorporated into beers like a Mexican pale ale, while others, like the horchata brown porter, recall flavors of Mexican culture.

Monkey Wrench Brewing

Open since 2020, this gritty Suwanee brewery has a laidback vibe perfect for sipping on local beers like the fruity Brighter Future New England IPA and the luscious Porsche Porter. Mark your calendar for one of the brewery’s events, including Paint Your Pet nights and stand-up comedy.

6S Brewing

This dog-friendly Duluth brewpub has the appeal of a cozy cafe, with brick walls and hanging light fixtures that create a welcoming warmth. Sample everything from the crisp, dry Peach Drop Ale to the Hard Crush cider made with a blend of four types of apples.

Kettlerock Brewing

This family-owned and woman-run Peachtree Corners brewing operation has a lovely string-lit patio and a focused menu of great-tasting American and European beers, such as Bear Tracks, a Scottish ale with notes of caramel and honey.

Ironshield Brewing

Tradition and technique combine to create sophisticated European lagers and ales at this Lawrenceville brewery. An on-site quality control lab perfects approachable beers like the toasty Heroes Helles Bavarian lager, and the expansive beer garden—complete with shuffleboard and cornhole—is great for grabbing pints with friends.

Apparition Brewery

Located inside Sugar Hill Distillery, Apparition opened in 2021 and offers cocktails alongside eight craft beers, which lean into German brewing styles. Try the malty Lucky Devil Kölsch, which pairs excellently with a giant pretzel and beer cheese from on-site bistro Wunderbar Bierhaus.

Cultivation Brewing Co.

Discover unique beers, such as a smoked wheat ale or the bottled Muscadine Flora sour (made with grapes from a local vineyard), at this Norcross brewery, along with tasty hard seltzers and even a zero-proof kombucha. Make a night of it by enjoying one of the frequent comedy events or weekly trivia contests.