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Owen Ogletree's
Monthly Brewtopia Brewsletter
December 2, 2025
Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia.info, a group beer trip organizer, columnist for Southern Brew News, lecturer at Knoxville's Brewing & Distilling Center, founder of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting, and a BJCP National Beer Judge.
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Follow our craft beer adventures...
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- Atlanta Cask Ale Tickets Make Great Stocking Stuffers
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Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the beer lover in your life? Give tickets to our epic 19th ATLANTA CASK ALE TASTING coming up on January 31, 2026 at the magnificent Bold Monk Brewing. Tickets to this amazing festival will put a smile on any lover of great ales!
A benefit for the Atlanta Humane Society.
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Women of Beer: Sam Zaboroskie
General Manager at Brick Store Pub
 By Kerri Allen
In 1997, the Brick Store Pub opened in Decatur, Georgia, dedicated to sourcing the best craft beer from around the world. Since opening, the owners of BSP have added an upstairs Belgian bar, a mezzanine cask bar, and an outside German beer garden. They built it, and beer enthusiasts showed up in droves. In 2015, Sam Zaboroskie began working at this magical beer wonderland, and around six years ago, she became general manager.
Falling in Love with Craft Beer
For some, craft beer is simply the drink in their glass. For others, it’s the start of a lifelong adventure. Sam explains, “I first fell in love with craft beer back in college when I started working at the Cannon Brewpub in Columbus, Georgia. That first job didn’t just open the door to a new kind of beverage—it introduced a whole new world to me. I quickly realized beer wasn’t just about what was in the glass - it's about people, passion, and a sense of belonging.”
Sam was taking part in the beer education program at Cannon Brewpub when she had an epiphany. "Beer stopped being just something to choke down at parties and became something layered with history and flavor, she recalls. "I remember thinking, ‘I love this—can I actually make a career of it?’” That question would echo in Sam's mind for years.
Charting a Career in Craft Beer
By early 2015, Sam's journey landed her at the famed Brick Store Pub, a place legendary for its beer selection and sense of camaraderie. She shares, “My very first shift happened to be the day we first tapped Three Taverns’ A Night on Ponce IPA.” From that moment, everything changed. Brick Store’s access to rare, world-class beers and unique opportunities—like trips to Belgium and NYC—made every day feel like a gift for Sam. “My favorite perks of the job? Clocking out and sipping a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on cask, pouring a De Garre that looks just as magical as it did in Brugge, or splitting a big bottle of Saison Dupont on the pub's patio on the first day of spring.”
 The Moments That Matter
Some experiences just leave a mark. In 2017, Sam's promotion to management brought a new perspective and an opportunity to participate in Brick Store’s 20th anniversary celebration. “I got to go to Cigar City to do a beer collaboration, and was given a tour by beer expert Neil Callaghan, who now runs the beer program at BSP. We put our hearts and souls into preparing for this huge anniversary celebration, and the culmination was unforgettable. Fast forward to our 25th anniversary, and BSP co-owner Mike Gallagher stood at the top of the stairs and told me to get on the bar and give a toast. That was an absolutely incredible night.”
But the best memories go beyond big events. Sam says, “If you ask me about my favorite Brick Store experience, it’s been interacting with the beautiful staff over the past ten and a half years. It’s sitting out on the sidewalk, rolling silverware and enjoying a beer. It’s dancing behind the bar after a hectic shift. Our staff, with their creativity and kindness, have become as much a part of my BSP experience as the beer itself. We employ some of the coolest people anyone could ever ask to work with, and I consider myself beyond lucky."
Why Brick Store Pub Feels Like Home
Sam truly believes she has the best job ever. "What makes Brick Store so special isn’t just the beer—it’s the culture, the sense of shared mission, and the commitment to community," she declares. “Every single person who walks through our doors - staff, guests, delivery drivers - deserves to feel valued and cared for, and I get to help make that happen.”
Supporting the pub's staff forms a core value for Sam. “When our staff is taken care of, it shines through in the way they take care of others. If I can brighten someone’s day, I consider myself even luckier than the person on the receiving end.”
Overcoming Challenges & Weathering the Storm
No story about the past few years would be complete without acknowledging the pandemic. Sam recalls, “The COVID months were incredibly tough, and in some ways, we’re still navigating the aftermath. But I’ll never forget the moment our owners and staff rallied and promised each other that we would emerge stronger on the other side. And, we totally did!” The experience deepened the appreciation for resilience, for the staff who stuck together, and for the community that refused to let a beloved pub fade away.
 The Importance of Inclusion
Craft beer, like any industry, grows stronger through diversity. “Some of the strongest, smartest, and most inspiring people I’ve met in this industry are women and minorities," Sam declares. "The reality is that these people often have to work twice as hard to earn the same opportunities, and yet they’ve contributed so much to craft beer. This is one of the main reasons I’m so proud to be GM here. We get to host events that lift up and celebrate these voices, and it feels amazing to know we’re playing a small part in building a stronger, more inclusive community—not just for craft beer, but for the world.”
What’s Next for Brick Store Pub?
As the holidays approach, excitement is brewing at the pub. “We’re gearing up for what I think will be one of the best holiday seasons yet," Sam explains. "I can’t wait to tap a firkin of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, toast at our Belgian Bar with our first St. Bernardus Christmas Ale of the year, and soak in the energy of the Decatur square during the holidays.”
When asked about long-term plans for Brick Store, Sam replies, “While I can’t share all the details just yet, I’ll say this: Brick Store is entering a new era. We’ve got some exciting projects on the horizon, and with the World Cup coming next year, we’re ready to keep elevating, growing, and surprising people in the best ways possible.”
More Than Just Beer
Brick Store Pub is proof that the best things in craft beer aren’t always found in the glass. Sometimes, they’re found in shared laughter, in the mentorship that shapes a career, and in the feeling of belonging that keeps patrons coming back. Sam considers herself fortunate to have some of the best beer mentors in the world. As Brick Store moves into its next chapter, it’s clear that the heart of the pub isn’t just the beer—it’s the people, the stories, and the unshakeable sense of community that make it a haven for valued customers and devoted employees like Sam Zaboroskie.
Photos Courtesy of Sam Zaboroskie
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ACAT RETURNS!
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Bold Monk Brewing
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- Follow Owen Ogletree and Brewtopia Events on Social Media
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UP NEXT...
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Owen and Alberto Eyherabide head to Germany this afternoon to explore the best beer spots in Dusseldorf, Koln, Munich, Bamberg and Frankfurt. Watch for our posts!
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