Where To Sip: The Essential Craft Beer Augusta GA Trail

Augusta’s craft beer scene is a true reflection of the city: dynamic, welcoming, and just a little bit quirky. Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed an explosion of new breweries, taprooms, and specialty beer bars—each adding its own twist to the local flavor. Here, beer is more than a drink; it’s a social event, a neighborhood gathering, and a reason to cheer.

Augusta Beer Evolution

Augusta went nearly a century without a brewery after Prohibition—an unimaginable drought for any craft beer lover! But since 2016, the city’s beer community has bounced back in style. We now have a mix of production breweries, vibrant taprooms, and specialty bars like JB’s Tap Yard, all offering a wide spectrum of styles and experiences.

Taproom Etiquette 101

• Try a flight before you commit to a full pour—most taprooms (including ours) offer sampler trays.
• Respect the rotation: Taps change often, so ask what’s new and don’t be shy about trying something different.
• Support responsibly: Take home a crowler or growler, and remember to cheer for local brewers.

Community Impact
Augusta’s craft beer venues host live music, yoga classes, trivia nights, and festivals, contributing to the city’s growing cultural scene. Breweries and bars alike love to support local nonprofits and artists—so every pint you buy is a vote for Augusta’s creative future.

Takeaway Laws
Thanks to Georgia’s progressive beer laws, you can now buy beer to-go directly from breweries and taprooms. Growlers, crowlers, and cans are all available to help you enjoy Augusta’s best brews at home.

Augusta vs. Georgia: Beer Styles Table

Beer Style	Augusta Popularity	Georgia Statewide	Local Favorites
IPA	Very High	High	Good Googly Moogly IPA, SRBC IPA
Berliner Weisse	Medium	Low	Swamp Thing (SRBC)
American Wheat	Medium	Medium	Rotating at Tap Yard & breweries
Fruited Sours	Growing	Growing	Seasonal at many Augusta taprooms
Lagers	High	High	SRBC Lagers, rotating taps at Tap Yard
European Styles	Rotating	Rotating	Featured at JB’s Tap Yard

Downtown Tasting Rooms & Tap Walls – craft beer augusta ga

Downtown Augusta is the pulse of the local beer scene, with taprooms and beer bars tucked into historic buildings and busy main streets. Here’s what you’ll find when you hit the main drag:

• Rotating Keg Walls: At JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps, you’ll find 20 hand-picked taps pouring everything from local IPAs to classic European lagers. With 30 more kegs in staging, the lineup is always fresh.
• Historic Spaces: Our taproom is inside the iconic JB White’s building—so you’re sipping in a slice of Augusta history.
• Bring Your Own Food: Hungry? Bring your favorite meal or snacks; we’re all about the beer, not the kitchen. This BYO-food policy means you can pair your pour with anything you crave.
• Flights & Tasters: Not sure what to order? Grab a flight of four, some 6 oz tasters, or a 12 oz mug. Explore before you commit!
• Family- and Dog-Friendly: Our patio is open to kids, pups, and everyone who loves a sunny afternoon with a cold drink.
• Take It Home: Love what you tried? Fill up a 32 oz crowler on our canning machine, or grab a growler to go.
• Live Music & Events: Check out our calendar for trivia nights, tap takeovers, and acoustic sets.

Want the latest on what’s pouring? See our current taps at JB’s Tap Yard

Production Brewhouses & Patio Hangouts

Augusta’s production breweries are the workhorses of the local craft beer movement, where big batches meet big personalities:

• 30-Barrel Systems: At the heart of Augusta’s brewing is the 30-barrel system—producing up to 1.8 million cans annually at Savannah River Brewing Company (SRBC). That means plenty of fresh beer for everyone.
• Award-Winning IPAs: From Tapped 33’s Good Googly Moogly (voted #2 IPA in Georgia on Untappd, 2023) to SRBC’s hop-forward flagships, Augusta’s brewers are racking up accolades.
• Patio Perfection: Breweries like SRBC are known for their sprawling patios, beer gardens, and open-air seating. Whether you’re here for Beer Yoga on Saturday mornings or Run Club on Sundays, there’s a spot for you to relax and mingle.
• Event Rentals: Planning a birthday, reunion, or corporate meeting? Many taprooms offer private rentals—just ask about availability.
• Community Connection: Breweries in Augusta pride themselves on being gathering spaces, supporting local causes and building a neighborhood vibe.

Want to join in on the fun? Check out upcoming taproom events and activities

Bottle Shops & Crowler Stations – craft beer augusta ga

Sometimes, the best beer experience is the one you take home. Augusta excels with its specialty bottle shops and crowler/growler stations:

• Crowler Machines: At JB’s Tap Yard, our on-site canning machine fills 32 oz crowlers on demand. That means you get any beer on tap, sealed up fresh and ready for your fridge or picnic.
• Flight Samplers: Not sure what to fill? Order a flight of four and taste your way through the tap wall before picking your favorite.
• Growler Refills: Bring your own or grab a new one—most taprooms and beer bars refill growlers with any pourable brew.
• Online Ordering: Want to skip the wait? Place your order online for curbside or in-store pickup, making it easy to swing by on your way home.

Need details on takeaway options? Read more about our beer-to-go and crowler program

Seasonal Festivals, Tours & Limited Releases

The Augusta beer calendar is packed with opportunities to celebrate, taste, and find:

• Augusta Craft Beer Festival: Every year, the city’s biggest beer event brings together breweries from across Georgia and beyond, pouring seasonal releases and specialty kegs.
• Tap Takeovers & Trivia Nights: From The Office-themed trivia to guest taps from rare breweries, Augusta’s taprooms keep the fun rolling with a full slate of events.
• Oktoberfests & Holiday Parties: Autumn brings local Oktoberfest celebrations, pumpkin ales, and special lagers. Don’t miss the limited-edition releases—these go fast!
• Brewery Tours: Want to see how the magic happens? Many breweries offer behind-the-scenes tours of their production facilities—just check schedules or book ahead.
• Limited Releases: Look out for fruited Berliner Weisse (like the famous “Swamp Thing”), small-batch sours, and experimental IPAs. Augusta’s brewers aren’t afraid to get creative.

Want to plan your beer trip? Download the Official Augusta Experience Guide

Last Call & Your Next Pour

As the sun sets on another great day exploring craft beer Augusta GA has to offer, we hope you’ve found what makes our city’s beer scene so special. It’s not just about the beer (though that’s pretty amazing too)—it’s about the people, the places, and the memories you make along the way.

At JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps, we’ve created something unique in Augusta’s beer landscape. While we’re not a brewery ourselves, we’re passionate curators of great beer from around the world. Our backyard-style atmosphere with string lights, lawn games, and plenty of room to spread out feels like hanging out at your best friend’s house—if your best friend happened to have 20 rotating taps of incredible beer.

Supporting local isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s how we build community. Every pint you enjoy at an Augusta taproom helps our city’s creative scene flourish. When you choose to spend your evening with us or explore the other great beer spots around town, you’re voting for a vibrant, welcoming Augusta.

We believe in responsible sipping—taking time to savor each beer, enjoy good conversation, and appreciate the craft that goes into every pour. Whether you’re trying a flight of four different styles or settling in with a favorite, there’s no rush here. Good beer is meant to be enjoyed, not hurried.

The future of Augusta’s beer scene looks bright, with new openings and events always on the horizon. Our city’s brewers and beer enthusiasts keep pushing boundaries, trying new things, and making sure there’s always something exciting to find.

Our promise at JB’s Tap Yard is simple: we’ll keep seeking out the best beers from local breweries and beyond, hosting events that bring people together, and maintaining that welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Bring your own food, bring your friends, bring your dog—just bring yourself and we’ll handle the rest.

Ready to experience what makes us special? Visit our taproom page to learn more about our space and see what’s currently on tap

Sip, Sip, Hooray: Augusta’s Craft Beer FAQ

What’s the best way to experience Augusta’s beer scene?
Start downtown with a flight at JB’s Tap Yard to sample different styles, then explore the local brewery patios. Don’t forget to take home a crowler or two of your favorites.

Can I bring my kids or dog?
Absolutely! Augusta’s taprooms, including ours, welcome families and four-legged friends. Our patio is perfect for everyone.

Do Augusta beer spots offer food?
Many focus on beer rather than food, but at JB’s Tap Yard you can bring whatever food you like. Grab takeout from your favorite Broad Street restaurant and enjoy it with your pint.

What’s a crowler?
A 32 oz can that’s filled fresh from the tap and sealed on the spot using our canning machine. It’s perfect for taking your favorite beer home to share—or not share.

Are there special events?
Yes! From trivia nights and live music to yoga classes and festivals, there’s always something happening in Augusta’s beer community. Check out our events calendar to see what’s coming up.

Your Augusta Craft Beer Trip Awaits

Ready to explore craft beer Augusta GA style? We hope this guide gives you that gentle nudge to come taste, linger, and enjoy everything Augusta’s taprooms have to offer. Whether you’re just getting started on your craft beer journey or you know your IPAs from your ESBs, you’ll find a place at our table—and always a friendly face behind the bar.

At JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps, we believe enjoying great beer should feel as easy as a backyard gathering with friends. Settle in under the string lights, try a new brew (or two!), and don’t forget to bring your favorite snacks or takeout along for the ride. Our doors—and our taps—are open for everyone, from craft beer super-fans to casual sippers. Dogs and kiddos are welcome, too!

If you’re curious about what’s on tap, need party ideas, or just want to learn more about our taproom’s vibe, you can always visit our taproom page for the latest info.

So here’s to the next trip, the next flight, and the next toast with friends—right here in the heart of craft beer Augusta GA. We can’t wait to say cheers with you at JB’s Tap Yard.

Sip, sip, hooray!