From pub crawl to serene farm winery, this North Georgia town will have you saying, “cheers!”
Situated about 90 minutes north of Atlanta off Interstate-575, Blue Ridge, Georgia, satisfies the soul with a growing menu of options when it comes to raising a toast. Sample locally-crafted beers, hard cider and wines right where they are made. Please the palate with bites at area eateries featuring menus to complement local beers, wines and ciders.
Start your tour
- Mercier Orchards is the only apple orchard in Georgia that grows, presses, ferments and bottles their own hard apple cider and farm wines. Mercier Orchards is also the first producer of hard cider in the state. Visit their 400-acre farm and enjoy a round of tasting; hard ciders include Grumpy Granny, Adele’s Choice, Black Bee, Apple Bramble, Lone Tree, Old #3 and Just Peachy. Their farm wines include Fall Harvest Apple, Blackberry Winter and Summer Sweet Peach wines. Mercier Orchards also has tastings of regional wines produced in the Georgia Mountains. Open: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days-a-week. Tasting Room, Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sun 12:30-7p.m.; 706-632-3411 or www.Mercier-Orchards.com.
- Serenberry is a charming farm winery just a few country miles from Blue Ridge. The farm winery has seven to eight wines in the bottle, including Railroad Red and Blue Ridge Red. Tastings are four for $4 or seven for $7. Enjoy sipping on the open air patio in a beautiful, relaxed setting. Tasting room hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call 706-623-8463; www.SerenberryVineyards.com.
- Grumpy Old Men Brewing, A “Nano Brewery,” is home of sought-after beers like Moon Over Blue Ridge Wheat, Aska Pale Ale, Devils Den IPA and Hells Holler Porter. Established in 2012 by two “old retired guys” who were home brewing in an outdoor shower and graduated to their brewery on East Main in Blue Ridge, Grumpy Old Men Brewing’s corporate mission is simple: “If we don’t like it, we don’t drink it. If we don’t drink it, we don’t sell it.” Open for tastings from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 770-331-8870 or 404-966-2665; www.GrumpyOldMenBrewing.com.
- Fannin Brewing Company’s Tom Fennell brought his brewing skills to Fannin County for two simple reasons: Fresh air and fresh water make for fresh beer. Being local is important to Fannin Brewing; it’s in the name of their beers: Hiawassee Golden Ale, Toccoa Brown, Dahlonega Gold. They also source local ingredients in many of their beers. Their Tasting Room and Beer Garden is open on Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. Call 706-258-2762; www.FanninBrewingCompany.com.
Local Brews Blue Ridge Pub Crawl
Blue Ridge’s pubs pair locally made brews with delicious food. Create your own ‘pub crawl’ using the route on the Chamber of Commerce’s digital Blue Ridge Local Brews and Pub Crawl map, which highlights places to grab a bite to eat and a drink, including:
- Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar and Grill – 733 E. Main Street: A rustic American bar and grill featuring an extensive wine list, signature cocktails and regionally crafted beer.
- Black Bear Bier Garten- 500 E. Main St., Suite 205: Pairing German plates like JagerSchnitzel Sauerbraten and Kasseler Rippchen with sweet treats like apple strudel.
- Fightingtown Tavern – 511 E. Main Street: A rock-themed tavern offering scratch made eats and cool brews.
- Whistle Stop Grill- 500 E. Main Street, #105: Beer, burgers and wings in a laid-back hangout with sports on TV, weekly trivia nights and live bands.
- Boro Inn Irish Pub & Restaurant – 150 W. Main Street: An authentic Irish pub.
TIP: Not into DIY when it comes to a pub crawl? Book a guided three hour Blue Ridge Mountain Food Tour or Brew House Tour at www.BlueRidgeMountainFoodTours.com, 678-697-1120.
Sip Blue Ridge local flavors at these haunts:
- Relax, unwind and prepare for one of Blue Ridge’s newest restaurants, Black Sheep, serving Southern comfort food – including their house-produced moonshine for drinks and desserts like the bread pudding – in a historic residence once visited by Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone with the Wind.” 480 W. Main Street
- Masseria – Kitchen & Bar – 67 Roberts Way: A Mediterranean concept serving fresh vegetables, seafood, hand-made pastas and pizza alongside cocktails featuring crafted syrups.
- The Vine Wine Bar – 632 E. Main Street: Sample a Georgia Wine Tasting paired or savor chocolates to complement sips against the backdrop of live entertainment on the weekends.
Be sure to drink responsibly. Always have a designated driver or call one of Blue Ridge’s local cab and transportation companies:
- A2B Transit, 844-354-6622
- Classic Transportation of the Tri-State, Inc., 706-633-3668
- Howard Jabaley Taxi Service, 706-455-0082; 706-492-3244
- Mountain Transportation, LLC, 706-851-9465
If you go
From lake-view with a mountain vista and room for 20 to cabins hidden away and built only for two (hot tub included!) find links to cabin rental companies at www.BlueRidgeMountains.com.
Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, www.BlueRidgeMountains.com, 1-800-899-MTNS.