Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a journalist, photographer and editor who, for the past 15 years, has worked with various publications, including Jezebel Magazine, Atlanta magazine, Beer Connoisseur, WHERE magazine and numerous websites.

Under his Ale Sharpton alias, he is a beer writer, photographer, consultant, speaker, and judge for numerous beer, spirits and food competitions. Ale also has a blog and his own web-based beer show --Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ -- where he tours breweries, reviews beer, interviews beer aficionados and covers festivals. Along with his show and scribe duties, Ale also produces festivals, food events, beer dinners, art shows and brand marketing under his Allways Open Creative Solutions agency.

Although a proud New Yorker, Byron happily represents Atlanta, where he has lived since 1990.

Ale Sharpton’s top 10 Great Places to Down a Brew in the ATL

The Brick Store

This is the pub that put ATL on the map way back in 1997. With two floors of liquid bliss including a Belgian-themed bar upstairs, a cellar stocked with the world’s most esteemed brews and an incredibly knowledgeable staff, it’s no wonder Brick Store is world renowned. Actually, it’s consistently ranked Top 5 globally by the most esteemed beer authorities. That includes me. Ha!





This is the pub that put ATL on the map way back in 1997. With two floors of liquid bliss including a Belgian-themed bar upstairs, a cellar stocked with the world’s most esteemed brews and an incredibly knowledgeable staff, it’s no wonder Brick Store is world renowned. Actually, it’s consistently ranked Top 5 globally by the most esteemed beer authorities. That includes me. Ha! The Porter Beer Bar

In just six years, the husband-and-wife team Molly and Nick have made this Little Five Points watering hole one of the most renowned in the nation. A beer menu of biblical proportions (800-plus), a smiling staff of hipsters and the latest brews on 40-something rotating taps that switch out daily. What more do you want? Oh yeah, good food! They have that, too.





In just six years, the husband-and-wife team Molly and Nick have made this Little Five Points watering hole one of the most renowned in the nation. A beer menu of biblical proportions (800-plus), a smiling staff of hipsters and the latest brews on 40-something rotating taps that switch out daily. What more do you want? Oh yeah, good food! They have that, too. Argosy

The décor is jaw dropping. Add that in with a killer beer selection, wood oven pizza, some chilled-out grooves being spun and a massive dining space adorned with art and you’ve got a great spot. Say what up to Armando and Donald for me.





The décor is jaw dropping. Add that in with a killer beer selection, wood oven pizza, some chilled-out grooves being spun and a massive dining space adorned with art and you’ve got a great spot. Say what up to Armando and Donald for me. Midway Pub

When it comes to an awesome selection of craft brews and all the games, this is THE speezot for that, complete with a neighborly vibe where the hip imbibe. The grub gets a thumbs up, too.





When it comes to an awesome selection of craft brews and all the games, this is THE speezot for that, complete with a neighborly vibe where the hip imbibe. The grub gets a thumbs up, too. Augustine’s

Picture that Grant Park neighborhood bar everyone goes to after pulling a long day’s work shift; now envision it with an incredible beer list of numerous rotating taps, a bocce ball court in the back and everything from heavy metal to Marvin Gaye on the jukebox. Oh, and they oddly have the best sweet plantains in the city.





Picture that Grant Park neighborhood bar everyone goes to after pulling a long day’s work shift; now envision it with an incredible beer list of numerous rotating taps, a bocce ball court in the back and everything from heavy metal to Marvin Gaye on the jukebox. Oh, and they oddly have the best sweet plantains in the city. Tap

Classy and located in the center of Midtown by the High Museum in the arts district, Tap truly defines what a gastropub is. Chef Nick McCormick and his crew take pride in the fare and do beer dinners all of the time with especially local breweries. TAP also has one of the best people-watching patios in the city. The manager, Brandy, is a sweetheart too.





Classy and located in the center of Midtown by the High Museum in the arts district, Tap truly defines what a gastropub is. Chef Nick McCormick and his crew take pride in the fare and do beer dinners all of the time with especially local breweries. TAP also has one of the best people-watching patios in the city. The manager, Brandy, is a sweetheart too. Wrecking Bar Brewpub

I am not sure if I could include an actual brewpub (where they brew and serve their beer on site), but if so, this is one of my favorites because co-owner and brew master Bob Sandage and his talented team always have themed days for their extensive roster of award-winning ales and lagers. Plus it’s based inside that historic white Victor H. Kriegshaber House mansion on Moreland Avenue. Did I mention how their beers are amazing?



Other awesome brewpubs include Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery, Twains and all the 5 Seasons locations.





I am not sure if I could include an actual brewpub (where they brew and serve their beer on site), but if so, this is one of my favorites because co-owner and brew master Bob Sandage and his talented team always have themed days for their extensive roster of award-winning ales and lagers. Plus it’s based inside that historic white Victor H. Kriegshaber House mansion on Moreland Avenue. Did I mention how their beers are amazing? Other awesome brewpubs include Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery, Twains and all the 5 Seasons locations. Ormsby’s

This funny named gastropub flaunts a rustic-meets-posh dining room upstairs and, in the basement, the ultimate man cave, stocked with dart boards, skee ball, shuffleboard, board games, that ring-on-a-string thingamajig and an entire room dedicated to bocce ball while more than 20 taps get pulled to serve some of the best craft beer in town. The eats are on point, too.





This funny named gastropub flaunts a rustic-meets-posh dining room upstairs and, in the basement, the ultimate man cave, stocked with dart boards, skee ball, shuffleboard, board games, that ring-on-a-string thingamajig and an entire room dedicated to bocce ball while more than 20 taps get pulled to serve some of the best craft beer in town. The eats are on point, too. Cypress Street

This is Midtown Atlanta’s beloved family-owned neighborhood bar that boasts a super personable staff, an always upbeat (and admittedly kooky) beer expert named the Brew Ru (Rob Merrick), a celebrated executive chef (Matt Deckard) and a slammin’ patio that has a roaring fire pit going every night. Oh yeah, and a great beer selection, too, including $3 SweetWater IPA pints every day.





This is Midtown Atlanta’s beloved family-owned neighborhood bar that boasts a super personable staff, an always upbeat (and admittedly kooky) beer expert named the Brew Ru (Rob Merrick), a celebrated executive chef (Matt Deckard) and a slammin’ patio that has a roaring fire pit going every night. Oh yeah, and a great beer selection, too, including $3 SweetWater IPA pints every day. T. MACs

Yep, I wrote it plural because they have these bar-meet-craft beer emporiums all over Georgia and now throughout the Southeast. Formerly known as Taco Mac, every location has its own personality but the award-winning wings remain the same. More than 100 different beers are available at each spot and HD TVs play whatever sports patrons demand.





Yep, I wrote it plural because they have these bar-meet-craft beer emporiums all over Georgia and now throughout the Southeast. Formerly known as Taco Mac, every location has its own personality but the award-winning wings remain the same. More than 100 different beers are available at each spot and HD TVs play whatever sports patrons demand. World Of Beer (W.O.B.)

World Of Beer may be a franchise with locations all over the nation and abroad, but the one that just opened in Midtown Atlanta won me over during its grand opening in early October. Besides the plethora of world-class beers, the posh interior design is unlike any of its other siblings, the food is way above par and they even have an infuser that, well, infuses fruit, herbs and spices with existing beers for that exclusive, customized approach. Welcome to Atlanta!

Mary Welch is a veteran journalist who writes about travel, lifestyle and business. Her work has appeared in publications such as the Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Fulton County Daily Report and Family Vacation Critic.

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