Venue Spotlight – Pontoon Brewing

Breweries have been all the rage ever since the beer laws in Georgia changed back in 2017 allowing breweries to sell beer directly to their consumers without strict limitations. Before the bill passed, breweries had to sell tickets for tasting tours and customers couldn’t simply come in to grab a beer and casually hang out with friends. With the new laws comes new breweries springing up all around the Atlanta area making them the new hot spots to spend weekends and to host events.

In this series, we will be highlighting some Metro Atlanta breweries and diving deeper into what makes them so special. Breweries have become more than just a place to drink beer and watch sporting events, they have now turned into the trendy places to host weddings, birthdays, corporate meetings and happy hours, fundraisers and so much more!

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide which brewery is the perfect fit for you, your schedule or your future event. Each brewery has a totally different feel, while some are dog friendly, others are more family focused and some are better suited for a younger crowd. Luckily, we are here to break down what makes each brewery special, making your decision that much easier.

So, whether you are on the lookout for an event venue, new to the Atlanta area, visiting a friend, or just want to stray away from your typical bar scene this series will help guide you through some of the best breweries around the city of Atlanta. Third in the series, we have: Pontoon Brewing.

About Pontoon Brewing

Pontoon is located in Sandy Springs, right off of GA 400, making it easily accessible from practically all Metro-Atlanta areas. Pontoon Brewing was started by a group of longtime college friends ­– Eddie Serrine, Sean O’Keefe, Eric Lemus and Marcus Powers – who all shared an interest in craft beer and home brewing. Officially founded in 2014, Pontoon Brewing Company began contract brewing, and eventually in 2017 the company was able to open their own brewery.

The name Pontoon came from the idea of the “Pontoon Lifestyle,” which is the notion of escaping stressful situations life throws at you and relaxing on a pontoon boat, or in this case, at Pontoon Brewery. Pontoon is a very family-friendly establishment. All of the founders have families, and they place a huge emphasis on the fact that you don’t have to be 21 to enjoy a brewery. They brew root beer for the kids and even allow dogs in the tasting room. Right when you walk into Pontoon, you are greeted by a huge otter mural painted on the wall, which is just one of the many unique aspects that Pontoon holds. The wood walls and barrels create a rustic, homey feel that will make you want to hang out there all day. Some of their beers include: Pecan Pie Paradise, a pecan pie flavored milk porter, New Wave, a semi-sweet fruity blonde ale and Wake Zone, a hoppy IPA. Their flavors are truly one of a kind and you will want to try them all!

The Event Space

Pontoon’s Taproom is available to rent out for private events. The Taproom can accommodate large groups of up to 250 people. However, Pontoon is still perfect for smaller gatherings as well due to the layout of the space that breaks it up to not feel too big. Here is a little more on what makes this brewery so special:

• Pontoon is a large, versatile space that has the ability to accommodate several different layouts. The huge, colorful wall murals add such a fun background for photographs. However, for a more relaxed feel, the brewery also has more rustic-looking wooden elements. The overall atmosphere of the brewery is really unique and is guaranteed to be a hit with party-goers!
• Pontoon Brewing is located in Sandy Springs, which a very convenient spot. The breweries proximity to GA 400 makes it easily accessible from basically all parts of Metro-Atlanta. Besides the convenience, Sandy Springs is an up and coming area with tons of restaurants springing up nearby- there is no doubt that you will find a restaurant that you love!
• Lastly, let’s get into the large variety of beers that Pontoon offers. Their flavors are unique and take you outside of your comfort zone- in a good way! Pontoon’s Beer selection is totally different than what most people expect from a traditional brewery. They have flavors that truly fit every palette and so many options that you will have to make several trips just to try them all!

If you’re searching for that stress-free, pontoon lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place!

The breweries event space can accommodate any style of event and their beer list is always changing to make room for their new creative brews. Whether you are searching for a unique space to host a party or just a place to day-drink, we hope that you check out Pontoon! As we continue on with this series we hope you are able to try all of our recommended breweries and hopefully along the way you’ll find your new favorite!