Pennsylvania-based Voodoo Brewing Co. made its Georgia debut this month in Roswell.
James and Betsy Rouse, owners of the franchise location, bring their passion for craft beer — including James’ home brew hobby — and a background in branding to the storefront space on Mansell Road, with a menu that includes craft beer and pub fare.
Voodoo beers are brewed in Meadville, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, and are shipped to Georgia.
The Voodoo brews make up about 80% of the restaurant’s beer offerings. The rest are locally and regionally brewed beers, including from Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa, Florida; Parish Brewing in Broussard, Louisiana; NoFo Brew Co. in Cumming and Two Tides Brewing in Savannah.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Rouse said he wasn’t overly impressed when he first saw the Roswell building, which they started renovating in May.
“Then I saw the lake in back and decided this was the spot,” he said. “It was like the universe aligned. I fell in love with the natural light from the windows.”
The location, a complete redo from the ground up, has indoor and outdoor seating and features work from local artists and chalkboard walls.
Voodoo’s hybrid service model allows guests to order at the bar, or with a QR code or at their table.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
“We are being community-driven, and we’re trying to make this a place for everybody,” Rouse said of the family-friendly restaurant, which also offers a kids’ menu.
Voodoo brews a variety of styles, including the Empty Calories light lager, as well as a hop-forward India pale ale dubbed Thunder Lizard. But Rouse said he is especially fond of the Vandelay Industries creamy milk stout.
The menu also includes barrel-aged beers, pre-batched cocktails in oak barrels, craft sodas, shooters, Liquid Death mixers and drinks from New Creation Soda Works in Bishop.
The restaurant’s food, overseen by Executive Chef Christopher Culp, includes the Voodoo chain’s core menu of sandwiches, burgers and pizza, along with some dishes available only at the Roswell location. Several dishes are infused with Voodoo beer, including mussels, beer cheese, beer mustard and onion rings.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Founded in Meadville in 2005, Voodoo opened its first taproom in 2012, with several company-owned taprooms following in Pennsylvania. Voodoo began franchising in 2019.
“We like to think of these locations as a full-service restaurant with great craft beer and cocktails on-site,” Voodoo Brewing Chief Marketing Officer Tom Guzick explained in a recent phone interview.
“Great food is a big priority,” he added.
Rouse sees Voodoo as focused on the future. The Roswell location is “the 24th Voodoo pub, and the only one in Georgia right now,” he said. “I’m hoping to open up more. I have my territory within 25 miles of this location now.
“Voodoo encourages us to have local stuff on the list and be part of the community. The company slogan is ‘Craft beer without community is just beer.’ I love that saying.”
Voodoo Brewing Co. 1010 Mansell Road, Roswell. 470-450-5743, roswell.voodoobrewery.com
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