Round Trip Brewing Brings European Beer to Atlanta

Atlanta craft beer lovers no longer need a transatlantic flight to experience authentic, European-style lagers and ales. Round Trip Brewing Company is expanding its footprint across the city, bringing meticulously crafted German-style beers from its original Westside home to a new location in East Lake. By blending traditional Old World brewing techniques with a welcoming Southern neighborhood atmosphere, this local favorite is redefining what a neighborhood taproom can be.

The Journey Behind the European Inspiration

Round Trip Brewing Company, founded by head brewer Craig Mycoskie, was born out of a deep appreciation for the rich, centuries-old beer culture of Germany and Central Europe. While many American craft breweries focus heavily on heavily hopped IPAs and experimental pastry stouts, Round Trip chooses a different path by focusing on balance, drinkability, and technical precision. The brewery’s mission is to make these classic European styles accessible and exciting for Atlanta locals, providing an alternative to the hop-heavy offerings that dominate the market.

With their original location hidden in the industrial pocket of the Upper Westside and a newer taproom serving the East Lake and Decatur communities, the brewery serves as a bridge between two worlds. By utilizing imported malts, noble hops, and traditional yeast strains, the brewing team ensures that each pint mirrors the quality you would find in a Bavarian beer garden. This dedication to authenticity has quickly earned them a loyal following among both casual drinkers and seasoned beer connoisseurs in the metro area.

The Technical Art of the German Lager

To understand why Round Trip’s beers taste distinct, one must look at the highly controlled, patient process of lager brewing. Unlike ales, which ferment quickly at warmer temperatures, lagers require cold fermentation and extended conditioning periods known as lagering. This slow process allows the yeast to clean up off-flavors, resulting in an incredibly crisp, clean finish that highlights the premium malt and hop profiles.

Decoction Mashing and Authentic Ingredients

At the heart of their traditional methodology is decoction mashing, a complex brewing technique where a portion of the mash is boiled separately and returned to the main vessel. This extra step caramelizes the natural sugars in the grain, imparting a rich, bready malt complexity that cannot be replicated through modern, simplified brewing shortcuts. Additionally, the brewery utilizes horizontal lager tanks, which mimic historical European cellars by reducing hydrostatic pressure on the yeast, resulting in cleaner fermentation and superior head retention.

Comparing Classic European Beer Styles

For those unfamiliar with the nuances of traditional European beer styles, the menu at Round Trip can be a delightful education. The brewery maintains a diverse lineup that ranges from pale, crisp pilsners to dark, roasty dunkels, ensuring there is a style to match any palate or season.

Elevating the Atlanta Neighborhood Taproom

The expansion of Round Trip Brewing highlights a broader shift in Atlanta’s local beverage landscape, where breweries are evolving into multi-generational community hubs. Both the Westside and East Lake taprooms are designed to be family-friendly and community-centric, featuring spacious outdoor patios, board games, and collaborative events with local food trucks and artisans. By embedding themselves into the fabric of these neighborhoods, the brewery provides a safe, welcoming third space for residents to connect over quality drinks.

Furthermore, this focus on European lagers is helping to diversify the local palate. As consumers seek out lower-alcohol, highly drinkable options that allow for longer social sessions without fatigue, German session beers are experiencing a massive resurgence. Round Trip is leading this charge in Atlanta, proving that beer does not need high alcohol content or extreme flavor additives to be deeply satisfying and complex.

What to Watch Next for Beer Lovers

As the seasons change, Atlanta beer enthusiasts should keep an eye on Round Trip’s rotating calendar of traditional German festival releases. The brewery is known for hosting robust Oktoberfest celebrations in the fall, complete with classic Märzen lagers, live accordion music, and Stein-hoisting competitions that bring Bavarian traditions to life in Georgia. Looking ahead, the brewing team plans to introduce more historical, lesser-known European styles to their draft lines, such as smoked Rauchbiers and crisp Kölschs, while continuing to expand their distribution to local bars, restaurants, and package stores across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where are the Round Trip Brewing locations in Atlanta?
  Round Trip Brewing currently operates two taprooms: the original location in the Upper Westside neighborhood (Defoor Hills Road) and a second location in the East Lake neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta.
• What makes German-style beer different from typical American craft beer?
  German-style beers prioritize balance, malt complexity, and clean fermentation, utilizing traditional ingredients and longer cold-conditioning times, whereas many American craft beers focus on high hop bitterness and modern adjuncts.
• Are the taprooms kid-friendly and dog-friendly?
  Yes, both the Westside and East Lake locations feature spacious, family-friendly environments with outdoor seating areas that welcome well-behaved dogs on leashes.
• Can I find Round Trip beer outside of their taprooms?
  Yes, Round Trip distributes its core beers, including the Straight Erster Pilsner and Munich Dunkel, to select craft beer bars, restaurants, and retail package stores throughout the metro Atlanta area.

If you want to experience the true depth of traditional European brewing without leaving the Perimeter, plan your next weekend social gathering at one of Round Trip Brewing’s taprooms to sample a flight of their authentic, slow-poured lagers.

Round Trip Brewing Brings European Beer to Atlanta