Saturday, March 1, 2014
So it seems that I have been covering a plethora of alcohol related stories as of late. Saturday was no different with the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Midtown. Over 5,000 lovers of tasty adult beverages and smoked meats poured through the gates starting at noon. The delicious smells of sausages, ribs, bacon, onions, pulled pork, chicken and much more filled the air surrounding the large tents that were set up to protect festival goers from the weather, which was not necessary after all since the sun came out and temperatures reached into the 70s. Everyone was given a glass as they entered the gates to be able to sample all of the delicious beverages as well. Monday Night Brewing, New Belgian, Abita, Magic Hat, Shock Top, Sweetwater and many more breweries were there to hand out samples on the beer side. On the bourbon side, Firefly, Evan Williams, High West, Charred Oak, Jesse James, Buffalo Trace, Savannah Distillery, Full Throttle and so many more made their presence known to the lovers of bourbon and whiskey. It was a fun filled day that pleased all of the senses and what made it better is that part of the proceeds from the festival went to the Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation. You got to love it when a festival pairs up to help those that are less fortunate and in need of assistance.
Tasting glasses sit on a table ready to be used during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Jade Cress (left) and her husband Jeremy stand in line as they wait to enter the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Juan Mendez checks on his ribs and sausage during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
A pile of skewered barbeque chicken sits stacked during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Liz Hartnett (left), Jason Santamaria and Lauren Eaves hand over their admission tickets and grab their tasting glasses during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Addy Steigerwalt (left) pours a glass of beer during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Andrew Payne (right) takes a sip of beer as he talks with Matt Zatezalo and Mike Fetter during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
A woman pours a glass of bourbon during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
D.J. Whitty (right) dishes out a plate of flavored bacon during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Wade McSwain checks the temperature on his whole hog during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Rheuben McKibben (right) pours a glass of beer for Charles Vail during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Kaela Hardy (right) pours a glass of bourbon for Chris McBrayer during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Chris Staub (center) smiles as he tastes a plate of barbeque during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Ron Gilbert flips a rack of ribs during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Samantha Giglio (right) pours a glass of beer during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
James Burnett (center) talks with Hannah Davis as they stand in line to taste some of the numerous bourbon stations during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Vincent Leggett pours a glass of bourbon during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Chris Cykoski (center) shows his father Dave a bottle of bourbon during the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station in Atlanta on Saturday, March 1, 2014.