I'm looking for a recommendation for a good brew pub or two in the Atlanta area. Looking for good food, good microbrews, good atmosphere. We're staying in midtown, but mainly looking for a laid back place to hang and enjoy a good beer. Thanks!

Atlanta has a few microbrew pubs. The one I liked most, Rock Bottom, is closed.

Last summer, my husband toured the SweetWater Brewery and was immediately hooked. Here's a site that can tell you more. They open it up for tours and hanging out on Monday and Thursday afternoons, so it is not exactly a pub. But I think it is pretty laid back. Try this: www.sweetwaterbrew.com/about.asp?section=tours It's probably less than 10 minutes from Midtown.

There's also Gordon Biersch and Max Lager's, both on Peachtree Street. I went to GB a few years ago. My husband is the beer expert, however, and he thought it was okay. Wish I knew more to tell you!

The brew pub/microbrew fad has faded in Atlanta so some of the good ones are gone. Atlswan lists some of the remaining ones.

I suggest you visit some of the bars/pubs in Virginia Highland neighborhood, which is only 10 minutes from midtown.

Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park. Large outside dining area, best casual location in Atlanta (Piedmont Park), laid back and fun place to hang.

www.parktavern.com

Park Tavern is a good choice - especially snagging a table outside - even if the food and service is spotty and the owner is crazy. The beer is (or at least was) pretty good and the view is unbeatable (in Atlanta).

Another good spot to hang out is the Prince of Wales, on the other side of Piedmont Park from the Park Tavern at Piedmont Ave at 14th Street in Midtown. It's modeled after a British pub, so focuses more on European drafts, but the patio is a great place to drink a few. And the food is (or at least was a couple years ago) more interesting than your typical bar food. They have additional pubs in Atlanta - one in Buckhead and one in Virginia Highlands (mentioned above), but the original is the best.

And I agree that Gordon Biersch (Peachtree at 8th Street) is high on style and low on beer quality. Not a horrible choice though if you are nearby.

If you're looking for something a little more rough and tumble, the Eucid Ave Yacht Club in Little 5 Points was my favorite bar in Atlanta. Great beer selection, fast, friendly service, cool vibe. Spent many a Friday afternoon with friends sharing pitchers of micros. You'll have to be willing to put up with the smoke and a few bikers, but it's worth it. L5P is about 10 minute drive from Midtown and is a funky district of clothing stores, head shops and a few casual eateries.

Locally-made micros to look for are Red Brick, Sweetwater and Dogwood.

Dogwood went out of business.

That's really sad. Guess they just couldn't take the loss in sales when I moved away.

My favorite local brew to look for is Sweetwater. The 420 is wonderful, but my favorite is their Blueberry...also like Laughing Skull that you can get at the Vortex in midtown or Little 5 Points.

Just an FYI, for those that love SweetWater beers, they're now being sold at Kroger. My husband was thrilled, naturally.

I'll second Starr's recommendation of Park Tavern. The location on the edge of Piedmont Park is terrific, a great place to relax inside and out.

atlswan, I am in FL now ...I have my dad bring me cases of Sweetwater and Abita's (Louisiana micro-brew) Purple Haze when he visits...I miss it so !

That's too bad, Wednesday. You might want to contact them to see if they're planning on selling it in Florida grocery stores. I was able to buy it up in Nashville at Kroger right before we moved back to Atlanta so I have a hunch it might be coming to a store.