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Owen Ogletree's
Monthly Brewtopia Brewsletter
April 27, 2026
Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia.info, a group beer trip organizer, columnist for Southern Brew News & Beer Connoisseur Magazine, 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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- Show Georgia's Craft Beer Spots Some Love
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Spring in Georgia just got a whole lot tastier. There’s a buzz in the air, and it’s not just from the bees—this season, local breweries are rolling out fresh releases and hosting events you won’t want to miss. So grab your friends, clear your calendar, and show your neighborhood craft beer spots some love.
 Three Taverns Lands Near Ponce City Market
Three Tavern's gorgeous new test brewery and taproom, Three Taverns Ponce City Brew Terminal, sits right on the walkable Atlanta Beltline, adjacent to the Signal House living complex. Stop by to try brewer Neal Engleman's extraordinary range of house beers. With everything from a pilsner to sour ales to IPAs and strong ales, Three Taverns offers a beer for any palate. Horizontal bladder tanks sit above the elongated bar area, and the small brewhouse is housed in the rear. A mouth-watering full menu from DAS BBQ features smoked meats, brisket, chicken and other southern-style barbecue mains and sides.
 Brewing Vikings Invade Downtown Atlanta
Three energetic co-owners have brought a Viking-themed, beer-centric entertainment complex to downtown Atlanta. Skol Brewing occupies the massive space once home to Macy's (remember riding the Pink Pig coaster there as a kid?). Skol has built out the space with a large dining/bar area, game rooms, axe-throwing and loads of meeting halls for any type of events—all connected by the Macy's escalators from the 1950s. The impressive range of house beers is contract-brewed by Arches Brewing in East Point, and house food standouts include secret wings, cheese curds, giant Bavarian pretzels, brisket chili, Nordic nachos and a wide array of sandwiches and burgers.
 Georgia Beer Company in Valdosta
May 30 kicks off Georgia Beer Company's inaugural "Brew & Stew" Brunswick stew cook-off. Not much goes better with a cold craft beer than a plate of rich, spicy Brunswick stew. Georgia Beer Company's Jack Martin adds, "We invite everyone out for great beer paired with mouth-watering stew. Also, join us on June 27 for our annual Kolsch Day, featuring Johnny Koenig on the squeezebox. Georgia Beer Company is the southernmost brewery in the state. We brew most of our beers true to traditional style, but with as many Georgia-grown ingredients as we can get our hands on."
 Crafted for Action Returns to Atlanta in June
The Crafted for Action Conference is back, and it’s all about supporting and expanding the industry while having a blast along the way. Whether you’re a die-hard craft beer aficionado or just getting your feet wet in the world of wine, spirits and other beverages, this event is for you. "The conference provides educational experiences tailored for all craft beer, wine and spirit lovers, with a special focus on uplifting women, people of color, and other underrepresented communities in the industry," notes Crafted for Action's Jen Price. Mark your calendar for June 4-7 at Wild Heaven West End. Expect tastings, interactive workshops, and lively conversations that make learning unforgettable. With everything from beer and wine to spirits and non-alcoholic options, Crafted for Action is a vibrant, welcoming space where everyone’s voice matters. Online registration is now open.
 Coffee and Flowers at Wild Heaven
Wild Heaven locations in Avondale, West End, and Toco Hills are excited to announce the return of Ode To Mercy Coffee Brown Ale on nitrogen (lovingly dubbed Nitrode). If you missed the era when Ode was one of the main beers Wild Heaven made, think of a brown ale with some twists. Brewer Eric Johnson pioneered the use of lactose milk sugar, before it became a popular beer ingredient, and the use of ground coffee from Radio Roasters makes this a one-of-a-kind beer. Eric also announces an exciting new botanical brew: Garden Beer celebrates 50 years of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the 6% ABV Belgian-style golden ale is brewed with magnolia blossoms and offers notes of flowers, pear, honey malt and light spice. Spring in a glass, anyone?
Read more and subscribe...
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- Can (and should) US Breweries Try to Cash in on Cask Ale?
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Cask-conditioned ale isn’t just a drink in the U.K. Instead, it’s a sacred ritual, a small bit of living history poured with care behind the bar. If you’ve ever enjoyed a pint in an English pub, you know the sight: those sturdy handpump taps, shaped like billy clubs, and the satisfying “thunk” noise as the bartender pumps the beer straight from a cask in the cool cellar below.
But can American breweries and pubs make cask ale work here? It's a little complicated.
Click the image below to read Owen's full article in the online version of Beer Connoisseur...
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Join Owen Ogletree for an epic group beer experience in the UK...
ENGLAND'S ICONIC CASK ALE BREWERIES & PUBS
October 11-16, 2026
 Travel in comfort on our VIP charter bus for visits to several of central England's most fascinating, historic and iconic breweries. These hard-to-reach breweries and sights will be a breeze on our group charter bus. Also, experience a traditional CAMRA cask ale festival.
Includes tours, group ground transportation, private charter bus and driver, guides, information, hotel rooms, and food and drinks for group meals and group gatherings. Airfare not included.
- Pop across the pond to experience the best of central England up to Yorkshire with Owen Ogletree. Fly from the USA to land in London on or before October 11. Trip activities begin the late afternoon of October 11. Fly home from London on October 17 or later.
- Amazing cask ale breweries and pubs will be visited each day. British pubs are simply wonderful places.
- Brewery visits may include: Castle Rock, Hook Norton, Batemans, Thornbridge, Black Sheep, Theakston, Brampton, Wadsworth and Oakham.
- Possible sights: Nottingham Castle, Stonehenge, Cadbury World, Lincoln Cathedral, and Skipton Castle.
- Experience a traditional CAMRA beer festival.
- Take part in a traditional "Curry Club" group dinner.
- Help keep traditional cask ale alive in the UK!
All this for only $2299 per person, double occupancy (add $499 for a single room).
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UP NEXT...
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Owen Ogletree and Sachin Patel lead a small group to explore the lambic facilities just outside Brussels during the popular Tour De Geuze weekend. The Toer De Geuze ranks among the world's ultimate beer geek experiences!
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