Draft Magazine Names Top 100 Beer Bars (Deep South)

Draft Magazine  released its annual America's 100 Best Beer Bars list in its latest issue.  The link will take you to the list for "The South".  I, of course, want to focus on the bars in the Deep South.

(Oak Barrel Tavern h/t @chsbeer.org)

Mahogany Bar
3810 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, Miss.; mahoganybar.net

Brickstore Pub
125 E. Court Square, Decatur, Ga.; brickstorepub.com

Closed For Business
453 King St., Charleston, S.C.; closed4business.com

The Porter Beer Bar (Little Five Points)

The Nook
3305 Bob Wallace Ave. SW, Huntsville, Ala.; thenooktavern.com

Oak Barrel Tavern
825 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, S.C.; 843.789.3686

Porter Beer Bar
1156 Euclid Ave. NE, 
Atlanta; theporterbeerbar.com


                                            
I'm actually thrilled to say that I have not been to all of these establishments.  I take that to be a sign that these kind of places are opening up  at a decent clip in the region, even though there have been laws in most of the states that did not allow stores, restaurants, or bars to carry beers that were over a pretty low ABV percentage (usually in the 6% range).

The main thing about this list that I want to point out is that our region has a great chance to have a lot of growth in these kinds of establishments.  That's one of the reasons that I started this blog.  I want to be able to look back in a few years and say to myself, "Look how far we have come." 

There are also a few places I have been that did not make this list, but I feel have good beer lists and take care of the product.  So, if you are in these areas, they are worth going a little out of your way for.  If you know of some others in SC, GA, AL or MS....let us know in the comments.

DoT's Beer Bars of Note in the Deep South Region

• Barley's Tap Room and Pizzeria and The Trappe Door which is Barley's "Belgian Cousin" downstairs. The are also right down the alley from Greenville Beer Exchange if you taste something you want to take home. 
• I really enjoy Charleston's Griffon Pub.  It's down in the "olde section" of Charleston and just has that funky don't give a flip kind of vibe to it,  but with good beer, and they seem to always have a lot of local stuff.  Plus, you are surrounded by money (go and you'll see what I mean).  
• Trappeze Pub in Athens is a personal favorite of mine and really one of the pioneer beer bars in the southeast.  The owner Eric Johnson is also the brewmaster of the (til soon) contract brew, but soon to have its new home in Avondale Estates, Ga Wild Heaven .  
• Savannah, Ga has the beautifully encased The Distillery in downtown.  A few new breweries are opening up or have opened in Savannah, so go take a couple of tours to get the local flavor and then land here for treats from everywhere...around the nation and the world.  

So, what are some of your favorite beer bars (not brewery bars mind you) in The Deep South.  I'll be traveling some and would love some suggestions to visit.

New Year-New South-New Brews

I've noticed it living in Georgia.  I'm sure you've noticed it if you live here or Alabama, or Mississippi, or South Carolina.  The states that were historically called the states of the "Deep South" or "Old South" seem to have a new attitude about craft or  micro breweries.

I'm sure these states have seen some states around them and all around the country reap the rewards. Some of these are jobs, tax revenue, and even beer tourism to name a few. Apparently, these states have finally said, "Why not us?"  Are the laws in these states perfect for lovers of craft beer?  Well, since we all have a differing definition of what "perfect" would be in our minds eye, that's almost impossible.  The liberalization of  laws in these and other states have made it a new dawn for great beer and those of us that love it.

So, as we take a toast with our friends tonight.  #1 Make a toast or two with a great craft beer, maybe from a brewery in one of the Deep South states. There are a LOT of new ones to try.  I'm sure most know of the search tools on sites like Rate Beer or Beer Advocate,  and they are pretty easy to navigate and helpful.  It's a good way to find out about new breweries in your area.  Hopefully, another good place will be right here.  #2 Be Smart; Be Safe; Have fun.


Cheers!