Exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia

The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia are a beautiful area to spend a long weekend. There are lots of great hikes to stunning views and large waterfalls, a plethora of wineries, and some solid breweries in the region. Below is a full guide to exploring this area, organized by town.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a great home base for exploring the region. It is an adorable little town, but it is going to be a bit of a drive to trailheads, as a forewarning. Heads up, the breweries in town do not have food or food trucks, so be sure to have a separate plan for eating! Pro-tip if you’re traveling with dogs—the public dog park at the Humane Society in town is really nice.
Recommendations:

• Amicalola Falls: These waterfalls are absolutely huge and are definitely a must-see while in the area. This trail is .9 miles long with 425 stairs and takes about 20 minutes to complete. I would actually probably recommend a different hike here, the one linked starts at the top of the falls and goes down to the bottom and then back up which was fine but check out the other options too. The entrance fee is $5 without a Georgia State Parks Pass.

• Springer Mountain Trail: This trail is 2 miles long with 393ft of elevation gain and takes about 1 hour to complete. This is the southern terminus of Appalachian Trail which is fun and there is a marker at the summit for the AT. It is a steady climb up and pretty rocky and muddy. The views are quite nice and this trail is rated moderate. It is quite the journey to get to this trail for such a quick hike, so just keep that in mind in your planning.

• Angry Hops Brewing: Easily the best brewery in town. This spot has chill vibes, a small patio, and angry music, for the brand.

• Mercier Orchards: A huge facility with a market and a bar serving hard cider, wine and 1 beer. The ciders are quite tasty. Go early if you want donuts, they tend to run out.

• Grumpy Old Men Brewing: A popular spot with a nice patio and average beers.

• Mountain Mama’s Coffee Lounge: A super cute spot with coffee, tea and a small food menu. The coffee is great here and they are located right downtown.

• Tipping Point Brewing Company: This brewery has a nice upper patio overlooking downtown with average beers.

• The Pasta Market: A nice restaurant and shop with solid pasta and an upper deck. They also have wine and beer.

• Falls Branch Falls: This trail is 1 mile long with 200ft of elevation gain and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is an uphill, muddy climb to the falls which are quite nice. This trail is rated moderate but was pretty easy.

• Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery: This winery has a nice outdoor space with a patio or picnic tables. They offer their wine by the flight, glass, bottle or slushie. They also have a small food menu.

• Elijay is another cute little small town south of Blue Ridge. Elijay Coffeehouse is a homey coffee shop with a small sandwich menu in the heart of downtown.

• Fannin Brewing: A small spot with mediocre beer and rustic outdoor seating.

• Skip Cucinella’s Pizzeria—the staff was not helpful and the pizza was average.

Helen

Helen is a German-themed town best known for their Oktoberfest and Decemberfest celebrations. River tubing is also quite popular here in the summer months. This is a very touristy little town that I would recommend spending a few hours in and then escaping. Expect heavy traffic and parking is $10 for the day anywhere downtown.
Recommendations:

• King Ludwig Biergarten: An outdoor beer garden in the main city square. They have a small food menu with German items alongside beers and wine. There is constant live music here as well.

• Hofbräuhaus: A German restaurant and beer garden. They are on the north end of Main Street a bit past the hustle and bustle on the river. The service here was not great and my beer was served warm, but it’s a decent stop.

• Anna Ruby Falls: This trail is 1 mile long with 220ft of elevation gain and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The trailhead is directly outside of Helen and quite popular because it leads to a beautiful large waterfall. It is a paved slightly uphill walk that I highly recommend. This trail is technically in a National Forest so you’ll need a National Park Pass or pay $5 to enter. This trail is rated moderate.

• Duke’s Creek Trail: This trail is 2.3 miles long with 337ft of elevation gain and takes about 1 hour to complete. It is an easy walk down to the waterfall that is pretty nice. This is in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest so you’ll need a National Park Pass or pay $4 to park. It is rated easy.

• Raven’s Cliff Falls Trail: This trail is 5 miles long with 623ft of elevation gain and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. There are lots of roots along this path but there is also numerous river access points which is very nice. Overall the views here are just okay, but the river is nice. This is in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest so you’ll need a National Park Pass or pay $5 to park.

• Brasstown Bald: This is the highest point in Georgia and provides stellar views for miles upon miles! You’ll drive up the byway to a parking area where you can either shuttle up (every 5 minutes) or hike a very steep .6 miles up. I’d recommend shuttling up and hiking down. Dogs are welcome on the shuttle as well. You’ll need a National Park Pass or pay $8 to enter. If you’ve been to Clingman’s Dome in Tennessee this is very similar.

• Tallulah Gorge State Park: A popular park about 45 minutes east of Helen. The entrance fee is $5 and the main attraction is the large gorge with waterfalls. Heads up, only the rim trail is dog friendly where you can visit 9 overlooks.

Dahlonega

Dahlonega is a very tiny town about 30 minutes south of Helen that is home to the University of North Georgia.
Recommendations:

• Preachers Rock from Woody Gap: This trail is 2 miles long with 436ft of elevation gain and takes about 1 hour to complete. It is part of the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. It is a mostly shaded trail that pops out to an exposed rock with stunning views, especially in the morning. This was my favorite hike in the area and I highly recommend it. It is rated moderate.

• Accent Cellars: A nice winery on the river. They have glasses, bottles, tastings, or flights of wine along with wine cocktails and a few snacks in the cooler. They are on the river which is nice and more of an urban winery just 3 minutes from downtown. This spot is dog friendly inside and out.

• Barefoot Hills Hotel: A solid hotel that is very affordable and has great mountain views, especially for sunset. They are dog friendly and there are games on the property too.

• Montaluce Winery: A beautiful, fancy winery tucked back into nature. They also have a full service restaurant onsite. This spot is not dog friendly inside or out.

Cleveland

Cleveland is just south of Helen and the town itself is not worth visiting, but there is a good hike, brewery and winery to check out:

• Mount Yonah Trail: This trail is 5 miles long with 1,453ft of elevation gain and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. This trail is quite steep and strenuous, as it is rated hard. The views from the summit are not quite as impressive as the other hikes in the area, but it is a great workout and still nice.

• NoFo Brew Co: This taproom is 5 minutes from the trailhead and the second location for NoFo. They have lots of outdoor seating with views of Mount Yonah but it’s also right off a pretty busy road so it’s not super serene. They have a wide variety of beers on tap. Heads up the flights here are very expensive.

• Yonah Mountain Vineyards: Around the other side of the mountain is a nice winery with mountain and vineyard views. They offer their wine in a glass, bottle or flight.

Have you explored the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia? What are you favorite spots? Let me know in the comments!
Cheers—Alexis

Dunedin, FL

Dunedin is a cute city in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with several breweries and overall beachy vibes.

Dunedin Tips:

• I highly recommend flying in/out of the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) if the timing/routes make sense for you. This is a small airport that is easy to navigate and the routes were cheaper than Tampa in my experience.

• While in the area be sure to check out the cute, artsy city of St. Pete as well! Check out my recommendations and tips here. Check out my Tampa recommendations here.

• Dunedin itself doesn’t have a beach, but it is still a great destination in the Tampa Bay area to visit and stay. You can easily make day trips to the surrounding beaches.

  • Clearwater Beach is a popular destination that is about 20 minutes south of Dunedin. The water here is extremely clear and beautiful but it does get quite crowded, especially near the public beach at Pier 60.

    • Badfins is a fun, beachy restaurant in Clearwater Beach with delicious food and a solid beer selection. I would caution to ask about the price of a pint of beer before you order because they have some outrageously expensive selections.

7venth Sun Brewing

Dunedin Breweries:

• 7venth Sun Brewing Company: A good brewery located on the main road of downtown with a wide variety of beers. Their Sours are what I would recommend the most. They have a side patio space and offer fun flight trees.

• Cueni Brewing Co.: A solid brewery with a nice patio space and chill vibes. They offer massive flights in the shape of Florida if you’re sharing with someone!

• HOB Brewing Co.: House of Beer has two locations right across the street from each other. Both offer massive tap lists with average beer. HOB has a large outdoor space and House of Beer is the original, grungier beer bar.

• Dunedin Brewing: An average brewery with a nice patio space and a small food menu. 

• Soggy Bottom Brewery: Arguably a dive bar and not a brewery. They had zero of their own beers on tap when I visited and divey vibes.

Brunch at Hew Parlor & Chophouse

top dunedin recommendations

• Stay at Fenway Hotel: This gorgeous hotel screams luxury at every corner. It is right across the street from the bay and just a few minutes walk from downtown. The building used to be an old radio station and so the hotel has leaned into that theme with smooth jazz playing everywhere and frequent live music. There are beautiful ocean views from the hotel rooms and rooftop bar and a relaxing pool area.

  • Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar: A fantastic spot to watch the sunset over the ocean! This rooftop bar offers killer views, delicious cocktails, and a small food menu. It is a popular spot so if you plan to visit for sunset be sure to arrive early. Located on top of Fenway Hotel.

  • Hew Parlor and Chophouse: The restaurant inside Fenway Hotel with delicious food! You can choose to sit inside or out on the front patio with lovely views. This is much better than your typical hotel restaurant and I highly recommend the brunch in particular! 

  • Edgewater Trail is runs in front of the hotel and spans 3.3 miles along the bay 

• Pineallas Trail: A biking/jogging/walking trail that runs through town. The trail spans 50 miles, from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

• Wander downtown Dunedin: It is a cute area full of shops, restaurants and bars

• Edgewater Park: A small park located on the marina with a playground and picnic tables

• Cork and Beans: Coffee shop and wine bar in the heart of downtown with a nice patio space  

The Best Breweries in Georgia

When I visited my first brewery in Georgia in June 2014 you had to purchase a “tour” of the brewery and receive tokens for a few beer samples with your tour. The brewery was not allowed to directly sell you beer. You could not walk up to the bar, grab a pint, and take a seat as we all know and love today.

Thankfully in September 2017 that finally changed with a new law, leading to a huge increase in breweries in the state. Further regulation changes since then, such as the state’s max ABV and how much beer a brewery is allowed to produce, have opened the gates even wider for more breweries to blossom. Now in 2021 Georgia has just over 100 breweries.

In alphabetical order, here are the best breweries in Georgia:

Check out my guide to Atlanta and my guide to Savannah!

Contrast Artisan Ales

Located in Chamblee, Georgia, a city in the northeast Atlanta suburbs, Contrast Artisan Ales is a cute little spot with killer beers. They’ve got a small but mighty tap list particularly filled with IPAs. There is a high level of craftmanship being poured into each of their brews. It is worth the journey to the suburbs to check out them out!

Creature Comforts Brewing Company

Located in Athens, Georgia, Creature Comforts makes essentially every style of beer under the sun. They are strongest at Saisons and Mixed-Cultures, really honing in on the craftsmanship of funky beers. Their clean beers are also really well done, and Classic City Lager is a delightful all day sipper. Creature Comforts is also opening a second brewery and taproom in Los Angeles.

Halfway Crooks

Located in central Atlanta, Halfway Crooks is a Lager-focused brewery that is absolutely incredible. Their beers are delightfully crisp and packed full of flavor. Their Lagers, Saisons, and Pilsners are particularly top-notch.

Monday Night Brewing

Monday Night has two locations in Atlanta—the original taproom is in Midtown and The Garage, their Sour and Barrel Aging facility is located in the Lee + White West End establishment. Monday Night was one of the OGs of the craft beer game in the South. They were the first brewery I ever visited and what truly got me hooked on craft beer and exploring breweries! They always have a wide variety of beers to choose from and they do each style well. Their decadent Stouts and small batch juicy IPAs from their Hop Hut series are my personal favorites. Monday Night has also expanded to Birmingham and Nashville.

Pontoon Brewing

Located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta, Pontoon crushes the Sour and Stout game. Name an adjunct and you can probably find it in one of Pontoon’s beers. They throw some crazy things into their recipes but they turn out delicious! Located in a strip mall setting, Pontoon’s environment isn’t what you’d expect for a brewery with a pretty large distribution but their beers are top notch.

Two Tides Brewing Company

Located in Savannah, Georgia, Two Tides is located in a converted house with a super unique setting. Each “room” of the brewery has a different vibe and the balcony porch lets you embrace the lovely Savannah ambience. Two Tides is particular fantastic at crafting IPAs and Sours. They are always getting creative and making unique small batch beers so their tap list changes frequently. I’d recommend doing small pours so you can sample their smattering of beers. They’ve also embraced beer slushies to help cool you off during that humid Savannah summer.

Wild Leap Brew Co.

Located in LaGrange, Georgia, Wild Leap continues to impress with their IPAs, Sours, and Stouts. Their Alpha Abstraction series of Double IPAs always produces incredibly delicious juicy IPAs with a punch. Their Truck Chaser ice cream style Double IPAs are always highly sought after as well, and for good reason. Wild Leap is incredibly underrated and one of the best in the craft beer game. Fun fact, they also make their own craft vodka!

If you are exploring Georgia, here are my guides to Atlanta and Savannah! Cheers—Alexis

The Best Breweries I’ve Visited in the United States

I’ve been to over 575 breweries in 30 countries, so when people ask me what my favorite brewery is that is a tough question. This list encompasses my top 20 breweries I’ve visited in the United States. For breweries outside of the US, check out my favorite breweries abroad here!

This list is in no particular order, because that would be impossible for me to rank, they are all so good!

Courtyard Brewery: New Orleans, LA

Juicy IPAs, frequent food pop-ups, a super friendly staff, and amazing guest taps—what more do you need?! After living in New Orleans for almost 5 years I can firmly say that Courtyard is incredible!

Check out the rest of my New Orleans recommendations here!

Monday Night Brewing: Atlanta, GA

Monday Night was the first brewery I ever visited and I have loved it ever since that June day in 2014. They have evolved so much since that first visit, including their Garage location in ATL and a soon-to-open taproom in Birmingham. They brew a wide variety of beers that are all incredibly delicious!

Check out the rest of my Atlanta recommendations here!

Resident Culture Brewing: Charlotte, NC

Resident Culture’s Hazy IPAs are some of the best in the entire country in my opinion—specifically their Double and Triple IPAs are what really set them apart. Their taproom is a fun and welcoming environment, their staff is incredibly nice, and they truly are a community-based brewery.

Check out my guide to Plaza Midwood, Charlotte here!

Burial Beer: Asheville, NC

Burial has long been revered as one of the best breweries in the Southeast. They are good at making essentially every type of beer but their juicy IPAs and adjunct-loaded Stouts are my favorites! Their taproom can be packed on the weekends so visit on a weekday if possible. They have a small food menu if you’re hungry and great merch to bring home with you.

Check out my guide to Asheville here!

Our Mutual Friend Brewing: Denver, CO

When I visited OMF for the first time I was shocked at how many different IPAs they had available, and I loved it! They now have a much larger variety of beers available and Saisons are more so their specialty. Their atmosphere is extremely welcoming and the vibes are chill. They have a small patio to enjoy your beers on and are located right in heart of the RiNo neighborhood of Denver.

Check out the rest of my Denver recommendations here!

Two Tides Brewing: Savannah, GA

Located in an old renovated house, Two Tides is absolutely adorable. They have separate rooms with different vibes in each room, a balcony, and board games. Their Sours are my favorites but everything I have had from them has been delicious! If you’re visiting in the summer months they also do beer slushies.

Check out my Savannah guide here!

Parish Brewing: Broussard, LA

Parish’s location is small and intimate and located in a small town in Louisiana, but it’s worth venturing to. Their IPAs are absolutely incredible and their specialty releases are some of the best out there. If coffee beers are more of your thing, Reve is always a good choice!

Check out my recommendations for Lafayette here!

Other Half Brewing: Brooklyn, NYC

Another IPA mecca! Other Half cranks out juice bombs that are incredibly delicious. Their fruited sours and pastry stouts are also top notch, so don’t forget to give those a try. Their taproom is small for how popular they are but the intimate atmosphere adds to the experience. Try to visit on a weekday if at all possible as it will usually be standing room only during the weekends (pre-COVID, not sure how that will play out in our new reality). Their team is some of the best in the biz & incredibly nice!

Check out my NYC guide here!

Photo courtesy of Cellarmaker Brewing, I somehow failed to take any photos while visiting

Cellarmaker Brewing: San Francisco, CA

Cellarmaker’s modest taproom pumps out a huge variety of small batch experimental beers. They don’t have flagships like most breweries, they switch things up consistently and are always pushing themselves to try new things. They’ve also got a pizza restaurant with Detroit-style pies and its own distinct tap list!

Check out my San Fran recommendations here!

Modist Brewing: Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis has a ton of great beer, but Modist goes above and beyond. Their taproom has a welcoming environment and it is filled with local artwork and flair. They make unique and creative beers that are packed with flavor and surprise your taste buds with each sip! No matter what style of beer you are in the mood for, Modist does it well, but I recommend their IPAs the most.

Check out my guide to Minneapolis here!

The Eighth State Brewery: Greenville, SC

Eighth State is always doing something funky and I am here for it. Their sours pack a punch, their stouts are luxurious, and they are never afraid to throw something crazy into a beer. Kool Aid? Yes. Carrot Cake? Yes. The list goes on, but don’t worry their beers are delicious and well worth checking out! The taproom also has food from Swamp Rabbit Cafe which is incredible!

Check out my guide to Greenville here!

Vista Brewing: Driftwood, TX

Vista is a Farmhouse-style brewery that has an amazing outdoor space with 21 acres and a beautiful taproom. They brew a wide variety of beers, but their Wild Ales are particularly fantastic. They also have a full farm-to-table food menu that is incredibly delicious, so come hungry! Vista is located outside of Austin in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country.

Check out the rest of my recommendations for the Austin area here!

Crime and Punishment Brewing: Philadelphia, PA

It’s a brewery located in a neighborhood called Brewerytown, they were bound to be successful! Crime and Punishment has a small taproom and a small tap list, but their beers are worth standing up in a corner for. Their taproom also smells incredibly delicious thanks to their Russian-inspired food menu specializing in dumplings.

Check out my guide to Philly here!

Pretentious Barrel House: Columbus, OH

Pretentious Barrel House makes all Sour beers! Not everything is incredibly tart and makes you pucker, they have beers across the spectrum that are each barrel aged to cultivate a different flavor. This unique spot has a fun taproom with a few arcade games and frequent events.

Check out the rest of my Columbus recommendations here!

Speciation Artisan Ales: Grand Rapids, MI

Speciation specializes in Wild Ales using natural yeast and bacteria, making each of their beers uniquely delicious. They also make their own wines, ciders, and hard seltzers, so they have something for everyone! Their new taproom is on Wealthy Street in central Grand Rapids and will be opening soon.

Check out the rest of my Grand Rapids recommendations here!

Jackie O’s Brewery: Athens, OH

Jackie O’s flew under the radar for me for far too long, and I am so glad to have remedied that mistake. They have two taprooms and a restaurant in the college town of Athens, I recommend visiting the brewery and taproom on Campbell Street. Their Stouts are some of the best I have ever had.

Fonta Flora Whippoorwill Farm: Nebo, NC

A brewery on an old dairy farm ten minutes from Lake James State Park with a plethora of outdoor seating, a farm-to-table food truck onsite, and delicious beers. Fonta Flora makes a wide variety of beers but their Wild Ales and Lagers are my personal favorites. They use local ingredients to cultivate distinct flavors and support the community. Visiting their Whippoorwill location is an incredibly relaxing and joyful experience.

Maplewood Brewery and Distillery: Chicago, IL

Maplewood’s taproom has a distinct vibe with their lounge set up that is different from most breweries. It feels almost speakeasy-esque, making your visit even more enjoyable. They specialize in IPAs which I highly recommend. They have their own liquor program as well, so if a craft cocktail is more your style you won’t be disappointed.

Check out my guide to Chicago here!

Fifth Hammer Brewing: Long Island City, NYC

I had never heard of Fifth Hammer before I wandered into their taproom in NYC while hopping around the breweries in the Long Island City neighborhood, but now it is one of my absolute top recommendations. Their beer is incredibly delicious, the vibes are super chill, and it is just all around a great place to hang out. Their fruited Sours in particular were what impressed me the most—they are jam packed with flavor!

Check out my guide to NYC here!

Southern Grist Brewing: Nashville, TN

Southern Grist’s cans of delicious beer stole my heart a long time ago, but visiting their taprooms this year really deepened my love. They do every style of beer well and with flair. Adjunct loaded Stouts, fruit packed Sours, hop loaded IPAs, crisp clean Lagers, you name it. They have two taprooms, the original in East Nashville and their second location on the west side of town, Nations Taproom.

Check out my guide to Nashville here!

What are your favorite breweries in the US you’ve visited?! Let me know in the comments!