It wasn’t the ideal day for an outdoor event: a bit grey and a bit rainy, but not nearly enough to keep patrons away from Lawrenceville’s Slow Pour Brewing Company. Slow Pour was born from a conversation between in-laws John Reynolds and Marty Mazzawi, and what began as a home-brew kit received from a gift exchange turned into an itch to start their own brewery. Today, in what was once a garment factory down by the tracks, John and Marty’s brewery offers a place that beckons for friends to sit and chat, play a few games and enjoy some original brews in a welcoming, family-friendly community atmosphere—billing themselves as a place where people want to be.
True to their aim, Slow Pour stages a good selection of community gatherings throughout the year: everything from open taprooms, food trucks and specialty nights to trivia, farmers markets and live performances. On this particular day, they had a unique little event: Slow Pour filled the brewery with the artistic flair of the county and state’s makers, inviting all to come out for a fun day of shopping local.
Called “Sip and Shop,” the indoor-outdoor event was held earlier this spring and offered spots to relax in the open air (if the weather agreed, of course). 35 of the best local vendors turned out to display their handcrafted goods to patrons, who could peruse their wares while enjoying a cool, interesting brew from Slow Pour’s extensive taproom. Among the t-shirt makers, cookie bakers, soap crafters, sauce mixers and other great businesses in attendance, a few in particular stuck out for their unique crafts.
C & F Johnson Woodshop specializes in handmade wood projects, with a selection of candle holders, ink prints and state/college personalized burnings, carvings and engravings that make for perfect gifts. Chris Johnson says this business started as something to keep his hands busy, learning to use laser cutters and saws to carve and shape his creations.
Spectrum Creations by Becky was another eye-catching display, presenting personalized magnets, trinkets and keepsakes with a wonderful touch: each craft is hand-made by someone on the Autism spectrum! A variety of quilt squares were also offered, which she used to keep sane in the unusual circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Artistry has no one definition: it’s any heartfelt expression of our own creativity, whether that expression be carving wood, cutting paper, knitting quilts—and yes—even brewing beer. These talents that came together for Slow Pour’s Sip and Shop event were truly impeccable and brought out wonderful evidence of the artists and artisans who live not only here in Gwinnett, but in the state of Georgia as a whole.