YOUR NEXT FAV PLACE FOR CRAFT BEVERAGES

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Athens has several festivals to help bring your appreciation of hand-crafted beverages to the next level.

Athens Wine Weekend is a three-day event, held each February (Feb 2-4 in 2018), and is perfect for both the wine aficionado and those eager to learn more.

This three-day festival offers something for everyone – an amuse-bouche that features multiple chefs’ cooking artistry with perfectly paired wines to arouse the palate, wine seminars, a grand tasting that showcases hundreds of wines from around the world, a six-course gourmet dinner with expertly complemented wine selections for each course, and a brunch to complete the weekend. Housed at the Classic Center, there is an attached hotel, plus all the amenities and live music that Athens has to offer, making it the perfect wine getaway.

Athens Beer Week and Classic City Brew Fest are both held in April (April 7 -15, 2018) and is perfect for anyone who loves craft beer.  Voted one of the USA’s top ten beer festivals, Athens Beer Week has a full lineup of events throughout the week, culminating in their signature event, Classic City Brew Fest. This can’t-miss event boasts 50+ unique one-off cask ales with special ingredients, rare beers to be uncapped each hour, live music, barbecue and representation from all the local breweries – Creature Comforts, Southern Brewing Co., Terrapin Beer Co. and recent addition Akademia Brewing Company.

If you prefer something a little more caffeinated, Athens is home to two coffee roasters, 1000 Faces Coffee and Jittery Joe’s. Both locally owned coffee companies purchase beans from responsible and sustainable sources, roast their beans in house, and have gained cult followings from locals and visitors alike. 1000 Faces also hosts “Brew Schools,” where they offer instruction and training about the finer nuances of creating coffee, and Shakedowns, in which local bartenders showcase their talents in Coffee Cocktail Competitions. Jittery Joe’s is known for their connectedness to the community, often partnering with local nonprofits to create custom brews for fundraising. 1000 Faces and Jittery Joe’s are available at local coffee shops and for wholesale.

Whether you prefer sampling these delights at a festival or exploring on your own, Athens has you covered. For full details and sample itineraries, please see VisitAthensGA.com to ensure that you don’t miss a thing.