George often wondered how many people in the city realize how much the life of the great city meant to him and countless others like him; how, long ago in little towns down South, there in the barren passages of night, they listened to the wheel, the whistle, and the bell; how, there in the dark South, there on the Piedmont, in the hills, there by the slow, dark rivers, there in coastal plains, something was always burning in their heart at night – the image of the shining city and the … [Read more...]
Summer Arts in Atlanta
The newly blooming dogwoods are giving my allergies a kick in the pants, the loudly chirping birds are ensuring my afternoon nap doesn’t happen, and the school children are itching with excitement and annoying the crap out of their teachers as they get closer and closer to that taste of heaven known as summer vacation. Let’s face it, while summer has always been my favorite time of the year, there are a few things about it that put a sour taste in my mouth. Thankfully the arrival of summer arts … [Read more...]
The Best Burger I’ve Ever Had
I recently traveled to New Orleans for a quick trip. I hadn’t been down since before Katrina, so I was excited to experience the city, and do some serious eating. I love Cajun food, oysters, seafood, etc, so New Orleans is the Mecca.I asked some of my better-traveled friends for recommendations on where to eat. While most were for the cuisine mentioned above, one stood out that I couldn’t resist: “Get the burger – it’s the best you’ll ever eat”. Now, upon hearing that, my antenna went up … [Read more...]
Spring Festivals in Atlanta
Although we do love beer (and bourbon) festivals, there are plenty of other festivals to enjoy around Atlanta that don't revolve around delicious hops. That said, the majority of them do have local brews involved among many other things. Local festivals offer a tasting of the vast culture in Atlanta, which is something you won't want to skip out on, especially when considering this beautiful weather that we have been enjoying. With a city as culturally diverse as Atlanta, there are literally … [Read more...]
Knoxville Celebrates 52nd Annual Dogwood Arts Festival
Spring has come to East Tennessee and this time of year, everything is in full bloom as we gear up for Knoxville’s 52nd annual Dogwood Arts Festival. Legend has it that when New York journalist John Gunther visited our fair hamlet way back in 1947, he called it “America’s ugliest city.” Never ones to take a comment like that lying down, East Tennesseans sprang into action, mobilizing a movement to change outsider perceptions that Knoxville was just a “scruffy little city on the river.”With … [Read more...]
On the line.
When it would drop below freezing, the denim would become ice. My rec-league soccer shirt would stretch, pull at the collar, form a semicircle of crystals. Once I took a bat and swung at a frozen apron. It exploded. It was clean and it was red and it was in hundreds of pieces by the brick wall.We grew up without a dryer. There was a washing machine that looked like it was made during the Carter administration, in the small room in the back, that was beside the small enclosed porch, behind … [Read more...]
Ewin’s Dry Goods
Bryon Larrence of Ewin’s Dry GoodsAfter stumbling upon Ewin’s Dry Goods, I knew that this guy HAD to be cool. Items like whisky rocks, leather goods, custom knives, and shaving kits are not the typical go to when purchasing a gift for a male. Ewin’s Dry Goods takes masculine gifts to the next level.Bryon Larrence, a Tennessee musician, is no stranger to luxury goods. With months at a time on the road, he has been exposed to cool and interesting items all over. A drummer with passion for … [Read more...]
Small Batch Coffee Roasting in Thomasville, GA
Coffee, like wine or whiskey, is created through an artful process. While you can find a coffee shop on nearly every corner of any metro city, it is rare to run into a coffee shop that also roasts their beans in house. This process, if you have ever been lucky enough to witness it, requires the skill of a master roaster. When I heard about Megan and Spencer Young's coffee shop, Grassroots Coffee, in the historical, southern town of Thomasville, Georgia, I couldn't help but ask this young … [Read more...]
Spring Time Is Perfect for a SweetWater Brewery Visit
SweetWater Brewing Company just celebrated their 15th anniversary, and they are due some thanks for sparking the craft brewing business to Georgia. If you live in Georgia, you can't go to a restaurant these days without running into a SweetWater brew on the beer list. There's good reason for this fact; it's damn good beer. Enjoying their beer at dinner, the tailgate, or watching football at home is only part of the SweetWater experience.If you are a local, or visiting Atlanta, you … [Read more...]
Atlanta Beer Festivals Spring 2012
One of the best things about the weather warming up in the south is that it's festival season. Some of the best festivals revolve around refreshing adult beverages. The Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival kicked things off in Atlanta, and now its time to welcome the next few festivals. Here are four beer festivals around Atlanta that you won't want to miss this spring. Beer Festivals Brew Your Cask Off - March 10, 2012 - Atlanta, GA: Cask ale is an extremely unique beer. It is unfiltered an … [Read more...]