The Distillery: Savannah, GA
No Crap Just Craft!
These days I do most of my beer drinking at home, but I do get excited to visit a great tap room or beer bar when I travel. Being that Savannah is such a tourist town it got me to thinking about showing off my favorite local bar. A few years ago when I first got into craft beer I would spend a good bit of time at The Distillery trying new and exciting beers. Needless to say they were a big part of my development becoming the beer ninja I am today. It is impossible to remember all the beers I’ve tried there for the first time, but they include: Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Dogfish Head Namaste, Terrapin Hopzilla, Bell’s Batch 9000 and Founders CBS.
The Distillery is located at 416 Liberty St. in historic downtown Savannah, Georgia and is open Monday -Saturday from 11 am – ? and Sunday from 12 pm – ?. I believe restoration to the building began in 2008 with the bar opening for business in 2009. Their motto is: “No Crap Just Craft”, and apart form tall boy cans of PBR they stick to that motto. Proudly displayed on one of the giant chalk boards above the front door is a list of all the beers you can’t buy there!
They feature a rotating tap list of 21 beers and at least 100 bottles at any given time, including a reserve cellar of bottles they will chill on demand. The atmosphere and decor is perfect: Long wooden bar, intricate oak bar back, antique copper still, barrel covered posts and the plethora of beer sign and tap handles decorating the walls. There are several TVs around for you to catch “the big game” if that is your thing. Most of the time, however, they are playing old silent films and Three Stooges episodes. The first time I saw Nosferatu was over a few beers at the bar. A full menu of food is available featuring the likes of wings, burgers, fish and chips, etc.
The Distillery Bar
About once a month The Distillery will host a special event or tasting. Sometimes it is a featured brewery with giveaways, a style profile or their infamous “Night of the Beer Geeks” in which cellared rarities are released to the masses! If you are a local craft beer lover I would suggest joining the Research and Development Beer Club. My wife got me a membership a few years ago for Christmas and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. A one time $50 fee gets you: all day Happier Hour prices for your own drinks, 3 free 8oz pours at special events, a free shirt and other discounts as well.
Without a doubt this is the craft beer destination in Savannah for both visitors and locals alike. I don’t get out for drinks as much as I used to, but when I do it is almost always at The Distillery. Stop in for a pint and/or a beer to go while you enjoy our wonderful city!
