Through the thick forest of palm trees, you come upon a tree that’s been uprooted and the limbs are twisted into the soft sand below your feet. There are small black bugs scurrying along the waterline where the gentle waves are afraid to come up any further. When you look down the surf line, you notice that there are at least 50 other trees in contorted formations; one reaches to the sky like a skyscraper, the other one next to it fans out into what almost looks like a peacock. Have you been transported to a Martian moonscape? You’d think so, but no, you’re in the most beautifully unique place on earth, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island on the Georgia coastline. This is the beach vibe that you get when you go to Jekyll Brewing in Alpharetta City Center. Our two-part experience brought us unique food and beer options inspired by the island with an array of tasty treats like a whole shellfish menu, low-country options like pork chops, and even Southern staples like pork rinds and a fun take on the charcuterie plate. Let’s not forget the bubbly brew, either. Are you ready for some Golden Isles adventure right here in Atlanta? We are!
Remember what Jekyll Brewing first started as: a brewery. It has a large array of beers and seltzers to choose from, such as two stouts almost permanently on the menu, to IPAs, sours and everything in between. One of the best beers on the menu is the Tart Vice that’s a mellow Berliner Weiss with a ton of raspberry flavor. It’s fruity and refreshing. Also, we must mention that we love the Redneck Christmas Stout! Liz, being a stout drinker, loves the minty-cinnamon forward stout that doesn’t make you feel like you're drinking a meal. Finally, the HARDly seltzer has so many refreshing flavors: blueberry, blackberry, lavender, hibiscus, peach and more. They're the perfect drink for the rooftop Airstream patio!
Who’s ready to eat? Starting with the pork rinds—when they first arrived, they were still popping from the fryer. They were perfectly crisp little numbers that were sprinkled with some slightly spicy seasoning and wedges of limes. The best bite is if you dip the rind in the hot sauce and put some of the lime on there. Meaty, crispy, spicy and a hint of lime. We also enjoyed the charcuterie plate, which was delightful mix of Andouille sausage, Tasso, pimento cheese, buttered crackers and some very tasty pickled vegetables. The best part was the Tasso, a wonderfully tender cut of meat with some great seasoning. If you put together the cracker, a little bit of the pickled vegetables, pimento cheese and Andouille sausage, it's a phenomenal little snack. We also bit into some chicken wings. They are mighty meaty with a ton of chicken, a slightly spicy sauce and some delicious flavoring. Dip it in the buttermilk sauce—cool and creamy!
One thing about Jekyll Brewing that was unexpected is the wonderful healthier options to the Southern fare. The tastiest of those was the Lite Bowl—tender and juicy salmon nestled on a bed of ancient grains mixed with a light vinaigrette, avocado, tomato, and the best addition, sweet potato! To make this even healthier, skip the tzatziki sauce; it’s great even without it. Mix all the ingredients together for a meaty, creamy (from the avocado,) earthy (from the tomato) and hearty (from the potatoes) bite. Such a balanced and dynamic bowl! We’d recommend you pair it with one of the HARDly seltzers like the blackberry!
When you think Southern, pork chops and collard greens always come to mind. Why not combine them? The collards were perfectly cooked, and we loved that it was more leaf than stem, plus it was seasoned just right with a balance of spice and vinegar. The chop itself was very tender, meaty, smoky and lightly seasoned. From the char and perfectly cooked chops to the earthiness and saltiness of the greens with the right amount of hot sauce mixed in, this dish hit the spot.
Jekyll Island is a utopia of sprawling marshlands and tropical wildlife. Jekyll Brewing brings all the beach and island vibes to Alpharetta. So, grab your large beach hat and take a seat on the patio; you’ll be transported to the Golden Isles—Airstream included.