Business & Tech

New Beer Growler Store Opens in Peachtree Corners

A growler store with 34 different varieties of unique brews debuts Saturday, May 25, off Peachtree Parkway.

For beer aficionados, word that a new growler store was opening in Peachtree Corners has been spreading - and that day has arrived.

The Peachtree Growler Co. store officially opened Saturday, May 25, complete with the mayor assisting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new shop is located at 5450 Peachtree Parkway just a few doors down from the Goodwill store in the Peachtree Parkway Plaza.

The new business is owned by Peachtree Corners resident Steve Hamlet, who decided to settle down to a somewhat regular schedule after traveling the world while serving in the Army National Guard for a number of years.

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"I started looking into buying a franchise and my brother-in-law suggested I buy a growler store," said Hamlet. "I said, 'what's a growler,' I had never heard of it."

But the idea grew on him, he said he looked into buying a growler franchise but wasn't going to be able to locate in Peachtree Corners. "We parted ways and a day later I had a business plan," said Hamlet.

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The business plan included going before the City Council to request a change to the city ordinance to allow growlers, a business which has been gaining in popularity over the past decade. "We're the pioneers here," said Hamlet.

At Hamlet's new store customers choose from 34 varieties of beer on tap - and he's also offering four different wines. "We're the first growler store in Georgia to offer wines," he said. Also on tap, hard cider and a locally made non-alcoholoc root beer.

If you're not familiar with the term growler - it refers to the container. A growler container comes in two sizes, 64 ounce and 32 ounce. Customers purchase the container one time, then just return it for a refill. The assortment of beers range from heavy darker beers and lagers to something you'll not likely find at too many places - a creme brulee beer.

But watch out, the boutique beer can deliver a wallop to any unspecting drinker - it's rated at a 9.4 percent alcohol level.

Making a selection may seem a bit daunting but you'll be able to sample the beers before buying. "We allow samples, but just a mouth-full," said Hamlet.

Hamlet and long-time friend Kevin Mahan, have been busy for the past month or so renovating the 1,400 square foot space. The two men pulled down old ceiling tiles, painted and built shelving where gourmet snacks and other items will be for sale also.

"Over 50 percent is dedicated to grocery space," said Hamlet. "We have all sorts of gourmet snacks, such as garlic and parmasian flat bread, imported cheeses, fruit paste, spices for cooking and meat rubs."

In the future Hamlet said he may add Italian, gourmet and aged meats to the assortment.

Check out the Peachtree Growler Co. Facebook page for a list of what's on tap.

Store address and phone:

5450 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 2D
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Telephone: 770-713-0593
website: www.peachtreegrowlerco.com

Store hours:

Mon-Thurs: 11 - 8 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11 - 9 p.m.
Sun: 1 - 6 p.m.

History of the growler:

Before bottled beer became economical and common (especially after the widespread use of pasteurization in the mid-1800s) in the United States, if one wanted beer outside of the saloon, it was usually draught beer filled and carried out in a growler, aka a "can" or "bucket" of beer. Many different containers (including pitchers, other pottery or glass jars and jugs, etc) were used to carry beer home or to work - the most common "growler" was a 2 quart galvanized or enameled pail


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