If you're driving down Maple Street in Avondale Estates, you can't miss the Wild Heaven brewery. If you go too far, you'll dead end into railroad tracks. Although it embraces the same industrial rail-yard vibe that seems to be synonymous with craft beer breweries in Atlanta, Wild Heaven isn't just another beer company. This local business sets itself apart with its approach to craft beer and its relationship with the neighborhood it calls home.
The beer
Co-founders Nick Purdy and Eric Johnson aim to brew beer that is “unique and easy to enjoy,” according to Purdy. With an impressive (and growing) lineup of beer, Wild Heaven is quickly becoming a big player in the Atlanta beer scene. Their pils-style session ale, Emergency Drinking Beer, has been a big hit. Between the name, the look and the relatively low alcohol content it’s a great choice for all day sipping. Look for the bright yellow cans in local stores.
Spend an afternoon on Wild Heaven’s patio to enjoy the beer and neighborhood vibe.
The scene
- Tours of the brewery are divided between "Drink Here" tours and "To-Go" tours. The "Drink Here" tours are limited to 36 ounces and can include a souvenir glass. "To-Go" tours are limited to 72 ounces. Can't decide which ones to try? Don't worry, all of these beers are good.
- Avondale Estates is family friendly. So is Wild Heaven. On Sundays from 2-5 p.m., bring the family out and enjoy some suds and sun.
- Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are 21+ (Infants in strollers or baby carriers are welcome)Thursdays: 6-9 p.m. Fridays: 6-10 p.m.Saturdays: 2-6 p.m., Sundays: 2-5 p.m.
- Dogs are welcome on the patio.
- Love Wild Heaven beer? You can rent out the space for private events.
The neighborhood
Wild Heaven began brewing in Avondale Estates in May, 2014. Although the company has been based in the area since its founding in 2010, the brewery moved from Greenville, South Carolina to the Atlanta-area in 2014. The team is thrilled to be brewing in Georgia, and appreciates the support from its neighborhood.
“The leadership of Avondale Estates has been as good a partner as one could hope a small-town government could be. They've sought our input on regulations and ordinances relevant to our business and also helped arrange some low-interest financing that helped us get our brewery built,” said Purdy.
The inside scoop
The facility that houses Wild Heaven's operation used to be a garden gnome factory. Purdy maintains that there are no garden gnomes in the building, but don't let that stop you from looking. Some of the machinery in the Wild Heaven brewery made its home at SweetWater from 1997 to 2002 and at Terrapin's Athens brewery from 2007 to 2013. Eric Johnson, co-founder and brewmaster, founded Athens beer bar, Trappeze. He's also a horticulturalist. Swoon on, beer fans. Nick Purdy, co-founder and president, is the founding publisher of pop-culture media company, Paste. Was it challenging going from music to beer? "It's the same impulse; it's about bringing better stuff to the mainstream."
The events
They're always up to something, whether it's industry nights or comedy nights or pouring at a local pub. Keep up with them on Twitter: @BeerWildHeaven.
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