Located in Sandy Springs and Tucker, Georgia, Pontoon Brewing has become a beacon for crafting awesomely scrumptious beer for the “Pontoon Lifestyle.” Founded in 2013 by longtime pals and home brewers Mike Allison and Mark Smith, Pontoon Brewing embodies the idea that every beer, like every person, has a unique story. In 2023, Pontoon Brewing was in the top 10 of the U.S. Open Beer Championships.
Brewing Roots and Grand Openings
The journey of Pontoon beer began with friends who shared a passion for craft beer and home brewing. Weekends spent brewing together soon ignited the dream of sharing their passion with the world. In 2014, this dream led to the founding of Pontoon Brewing Company.
For the first few years, Pontoon Brewing collaborated with local craft brewers. However, in late 2016, they decided to break ground on their own brick-and-mortar facility. This 15,200-square-foot building houses a 30-barrel brew house with American-made equipment and boasts 2,000 square feet of taproom space. In December 2017, Pontoon Brewing opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new era.
The Pontoon Lifestyle
The “Pontoon Lifestyle” represents an escape from daily stresses, where one can relax on a pontoon boat. For the uninitiated, a pontoon boat is a slow-moving party platform, perfect for leisurely relaxation. And what’s better to accompany such relaxation than a great craft beer?
Pontoon Brewing’s Beer Collection
Pontoon Brewing is known for its wide variety of flavorful beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and lagers. The brewery also offers seasonal and limited-release brews, keeping the beer selection fresh and exciting.
Based on the data from Untapped, Let’s take a closer look at some of their standout brews:
- Rainbow Smiggles
- Style: Sour – Fruited
- ABV: 7%
- IBU: 8
- Untapped Rating: 3.86
An award-winning Berliner Weisse, bursting with Skittles, Trix Cereal, strawberries, pineapple, and vanilla. This explosion of flavors creates a sensory journey through sweet and tart fruitiness, complemented by a subtle touch of vanilla, making it a delightful and unique sour experience.
- Crushing Waves
- Style: Sour – Fruited Berliner Weisse
- ABV: 6.3%
- IBU: 8
- Untapped Rating: 3.7
A dessert-inspired sour with pineapple and tart cherry puree. This deliciously tart beer embodies the perfect dessert-inspired sour. The pineapple and tart cherries are added during the secondary fermentation to create a juicy, yet tart, sour beer that is bursting with flavor. It’s like sipping on a tropical fruit paradise with a delightful hint of cherry on top.
- Galaxy Drifter
- Style: IPA – American
- ABV: 6.3%
- IBU: 48
- Untapped Rating: 3.67
Galaxy Drifter combines Galaxy, Citra, and Centennial hops into a juicy American IPA that it’s ready to blast off with succulent tropical fruit and citrus notes. This is a radical, crisp, clean, and light-bodied brew that will blow you into the next Galaxy. It’s a hoppy adventure of flavors with a refreshing twist of citrus, making it a must-try for hop enthusiasts.
- Wake Zone
- Style: IPA – American
- ABV: 6.5%
- IBU: 57
- Untapped Rating: 3.7
Make some waves with this refreshing, unfiltered IPA! This year-round offering showcases a rotating variety of hops, ranging from the radical and experimental to the tried and true favorites. Each hop is handpicked by our brewers to rock your docks off! We used light and sweet Maris Otter base malts to let the hop flavors take the helm in this crisp, unfiltered IPA. It’s like catching a wave of hoppy goodness with a clean and refreshing finish that invites you back for another ride.
- New Wave
- Style: Blonde Ale
- ABV: 5.2%
- IBU: 5
- Untapped Rating: 3.6
New Wave Blonde ale was brewed with an English yeast to provide some fruity esters that give this simplistic style a well-rounded character, while remaining crisp and light. Light notes of semi-sweet fruits and bready malts dance on your tongue while finishing clean, crisp, and refreshing! It’s a journey through the nuances of a classic blonde ale, where fruity esters meet semi-sweet fruits and bready malts, creating a well-balanced and refreshing experience.
Pontoon Brewing is where Southern hospitality meets craft beer excellence. With a commitment to quality, a wide array of beer styles, and a friendly atmosphere, Pontoon Brewing is a must-visit for beer lovers. So, hop aboard the “Pontoon Lifestyle” and discover the unique story behind each Pontoon beer. Cheers!
Conclusion
Pontoon Brewing is more than just a craft brewery; it’s an embodiment of friendship, passion, and the love of great beer. With a diverse range of brews and a welcoming atmosphere, Pontoon Brewing is a testament to the thriving craft beer scene in Georgia.
