Atlanta and Southeast Beer Fest Guide: Know Before you Go (January-June)

As a beer fan and promotional employee of a brewery, I have attended numerous beer fests in Georgia and neighboring states.  Beer festivals are a great way to try many different beers without having to purchase numerous 6-packs or pints.  Just several years ago, there were only a handful of beer festivals to choose from in the entire Southeast.  Now, new ones pop up every year, and brew fans have plenty of choices to satiate their suds needs.  Unfortunately, not all fests are created equal.  There are great ones out there, but there are also some where you wish you had stayed home and spent the money on several 6-packs instead. In an effort to help guide you to the better fests, I will assign every one I've been to a grade (F-A+) based on beer quality and selection, venue, heat (a very important factor in the Southeast), VIP section quality, and bathroom situation, which can ruin an otherwise good beer festival.

I will try to be as objective as possible, but ultimately these are opinions, and you may have a better or worse time at these than I did. I haven't been to every beer fest in Atlanta, (Hoptoberfest, Cask Ale Fest, Great Atlanta BF to name a few major ones) so if there's one I've left out or if there's some you've been to wherever you live, please feel free to add it in the comments and rate it yourself. 

Winter Beer Carnival

Location- Atlantic Station
Time of Year- February
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- Y
Beer Quality/Selection-B
Venue- B
Heat- B
VIP Section-B+
Bathroom- C+
Charity- N
Overall- C+

The Winter Beer Carnival in Atlantic Station is unique among BFs, because of the little rides and midway style games littered throughout the grounds.  Attendees might have to suffer through frigid February temperatures, so come prepared for the weather.  Due to no ticket limits, the fest runs out of beer within several hours.  Get there early or risk missing out on popular breweries.  VIP ticket worth it.
In Conclusion: Unique and fun, but needs better planning to avoid running out of beer so quickly

Turn your empty bottles into a carnival game at the Winter Beer Carnival

Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival

Location- Atlantic Station
Time of Year- March
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- Y
Beer Quality/Selection- B
Venue-B
Heat- B
VIP Section- A-
Bathroom- B
Charity- N
Overall- B-

This festival is the most dangerous member of the list, because in addition to a decent amount of beers, fest-goers are also able to sample about 50 whiskeys.  Needless-to-say, people get sloppy hammered in this fest.  Weather can be very cold in this one too, so bring gloves and hat.  No limit to tickets, so it gets extremely crowded.  Get there early.  VIP gets early admission and access to a tent with free bacon and pork.  It's worth the splurge.
In Conclusion: Mega-crowds that get shwasted from mix of whiskey and beer.  Proceed with caution and bring mittens

Secret Stash Bash

Location- 5 Seasons and Taco Mac Prado, Sandy Springs
Time of Year- March
Tickets Limited- Y
VIP Available- N
Beer Quality/Selection- A+
Venue-A+
Heat- A
VIP Section-N/A
Bathroom-A
Charity- N
Overall-A+

Fred Crudder, the head beer guy of the entire Taco Mac chain, organized the first Secret Stash Bash earlier in March.  The objective of the festival is to offer rare and/or cellared beers from top breweries from around the world, and it does just that.  The beer is excellent (Duck Rabbit Russian Imperial Stout aged in 23-year old Pappy Van Winkle barrels FTW), the venue is great, and the limit of just 450 tickets ensures everyone's comfortable and has equal access to the beer.  Since it's such a special event, brewery reps and head brewers make it a priority to attend in person.  If you can get tickets, do it!  You will be very happy you did.
In Conclusions: Flawless

Suwanee Beer Festival

Location- Downtown Suwanee Park
Time of Year- March
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- Y
Beer Quality/Selection- C+
Venue-A
Heat- B+
VIP Section-A+
Bathroom- D
Charity- Y
Overall- B-

Suwanee earns the highest marks for their VIP section, which is loaded with about 20 cask ales and good food like shrimp cocktails.  Last year was a hot one, but that was a little abnormal for a mid-March day.  No ticket limits means the place admits way too many people, and bathrooms are at a premium.  In addition to the bathrooms, the other big knock on this festival is that, starting this year, they aren't including any imports.  Why you would want to exclude a world of great beer from your fest is beyond me, but that's what they've chosen to do (Decatur BF set the precedent).  A portion of the proceeds goes to Kingdom Kids charity.
In Conclusion: Great VIP section, but marks off for domestics-only and stifling crowds

Living Social Buckhead Beer and Wine Festival

Location- Frankie Allen Park Buckhead
Time of Year- March/April
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- Y
Beer Quality/Selection- C+
Venue-B+
Heat- B
VIP Section- F
Bathroom-B
Charity- N
Overall- C 

Living Social organized its inaugural beer fest last year, and there's definitely some room for improvement.  Last year, fest-goers were treated to a monsoon-like downpour, which is fairly common during that time of the year.  The crowd tends to be younger, yuppy types who make a bee-line to the Blue Moon tent.  Hardcore beer connoisseurs may feel a little out of place here.  Beer selection is average at best.  The absolute worst VIP section I've ever seen with about six or seven very average beers available (I guess VIP is relative in this case).  Definitely skip a VIP ticket and possibly the entire festival.
In Conclusion: Fledgling festival with average beer selection, terrible VIP section, and a yuppy crowd

Athens/Classic City Beer Festival

Location- The Foundry Inn, Downtown Athens
Time of Year- April
Tickets Limited- Y
VIP Available- N
Beer Quality/Selection- A+
Venue-A
Heat- B+
VIP Section- N/A
Bathroom- A
Charity- Y
Overall- A

The Athens BF is one of the best run festivals on the circuit.  The weather is usually a perfect Spring day, and the spread out indoor/outdoor venue of the Foundry Inn is great.  In addition to the expansive selection of bottled beer, the festival now features a cask ale pavilion with unique and rare cask creations from breweries across the Southeast.  A limited amount of tickets means the festival can accurately plan their beer supply and bathroom situation.  It's worth the drive to attend this one.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Athens Humane Society.
In Conclusion: One of the oldest and best beer festivals in the entire region

Wayne Baxter of Monkey Wrench Brewing expertly hammers the cask bung (heh) at the Classic City Beer Festival

Dunwoody Beer Festival- (DISCONTINUED)

As I checked the website to the see this year's date, I found out that the fest has been indefinitely discontinued.  I won't shed any tears over this one.  It was always extremely hot and took place in giant heat-collecting tents on the all-asphalt venue of the Perimeter Mall parking lot.  Sub-par beer selection+Shock Top crowd+extreme heat= good riddance.
In Conclusion: Creative destruction is a bitch.

Heritage Sandy Springs Beer Festival
Location- Heritage Park, Sandy Springs
Time of Year- April
Tickets Limited-N
VIP Available-N
Beer Quality/Selection- C+
Venue-A
Heat- B
VIP Section-N/A
Bathroom-B+
Charity- Y
Overall- B

I was lucky enough to stumble upon the inaugural festival back in 2010, and although it's pretty small-scale, I had a good time.  For what the fest lacks in beer variety (only about 70 beers), it makes up for in its grassy, amphitheatre-esque venue.  I personally like this festival, because although tickets aren't capped, you won't be overwhelmed by crowds.  All proceeds go to the Heritage Sandy Springs.
In Conclusion:The Heritage is a solid smaller beer fest worth the ticket price.

Just two burly men having a good time at the Heritage Sandy Springs BF

Buckhead Wine Festival

Location- East Andrews Complex
Time of Year-April
Tickets Limited-Y
VIP Available-Y
Beer Quality/Selection- C
Venue-A
Heat- C
VIP Section- A
Bathroom-A
Charity- Y
Overall- B

I threw in the Buckhead Wine Festival, because although it emphasizes wine, the festival includes four or five breweries for the men who've been dragged along for the ride.  Although the selection is small, the quality is pretty good (Monk's Mead e.g.).  The greenhouse-like atrium of the East Andrews Complex does a great job of trapping in heat, so it can be a little uncomfortable.  However, the smaller crowd and high quality of beers make this a great event for guys to earn brownie points with their ladies while still enjoying some good brews.  Only problem is you have to drink the beer out of wine glasses, which cramps my style.  Proceeds go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. 
In Conclusion: A hidden gem for beer drinkers.  Don't let the name fool you.

People's delight when they discover there's beer at a wine festival.  It's truly magical.

East Atlanta Beer Festival

Location- Brownwood Park
Time of Year- May
Tickets Limited-N
VIP Available-Y
Beer Quality/Selection- B+
Venue-A
Heat- B+
VIP Section- B+
Bathroom-B+
Charity- Y
Overall- B+

For a festival that doesn't limit ticket sales, the EA Fest is one of the best.  The venue, Brownwood Park, offers ample shade for what will most likely be a pretty hot day.  Although tickets are unlimited, the large expanse of the park spreads out the crowd, so it never seems stifling.  Beer selection is pretty good, and the VIP section is worth it in this case.  Profits go to the East Atlanta Community.
In Conclusion: Great early Summer beer fest that offers plenty of shade for a hot day   

Even  Quail Man  makes it a priority to attend the East Atlanta BF

Brookhaven Beer Festival

Location- Brookhaven MARTA Station Access Road (Apple Valley Rd.), how beautiful.
Time of Year- June
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- N
Beer Quality/Selection- C+
Venue-D
Heat- D
VIP Section- N/A
Bathroom- C
Charity- Y
Overall- C-

What can I say about this one?  Extremely hot, terrible all-asphalt venue right by the MARTA parking lot, narrow walkway clogged with people (good luck trying to make your way to the bathroom), average at best beer selection, Blue Moon crowd, no ticket limit.  Feel free to skip this one.  Portion of proceeds goes to the Atlanta Fundraising Foundation.
In Conclusion: Not worth it

Atlanta Summer Beer Festival

Location- Masquerade Music Park
Time of Year- June
Tickets Limited- N
VIP Available- N
Beer Quality/Selection- B+
Venue- B
Heat-D-
VIP Section- N/A
Bathroom- B
Charity- N
Overall-B+

The ATL Summer BF is brought to you by the same organizers as the Winter BF (not Winter Carnival), Great ATL BF on Turner Field, and Hogs and Hops.  The worst part of this festival is the scorching heat, which makes it tough to stick around for too long.  What I really like about this one is that most of its offerings are on tap, which is quite unique in the world of beer fests.  The venue is a grassy, shadeless expanse in the back of the Masquerade.  If you can survive the heat, go for it. 
In Conclusion: Enjoying the wide selection of draft beer is made difficult by the sweltering heat

NEXT INSTALLMENT: July-December for Georgia and some Tennessee and North Carolina festivals