JONATHAN WHITE & ROB HANKINSON

Acworth’s first craft brewery, Red Top Brewhouse, welcomes all—friends, families, children, even dogs—to enjoy the fun they have on tap!

When long-time friends and co-owners Jonathan White and Rob Hankinson began researching breweries around Georgia, they discovered one glaring similarity: all the spaces felt like man caves.

“We had a hard time convincing our wives to join our adventures,” explains White. “There weren’t a lot of welcoming places where I could bring my nine-year-old daughter and wife. I want to have fun with them too, he explains.  “That’s where we got the idea for Red Top Brewhouse.”

Red Top was custom built with this in mind. Two floors of comfy, spacious indoor areas expand into equally welcoming outdoor space. Adirondack chairs surround large fire pits on the patio. Picnic tables line an expansive backyard greenspace where you’ll find games galore, including a giant-sized Connect Four game. There’s even a dog park and tasty dog-treats menu.

           

Committed to this custom experience, Red Top boasts two state-of-the-art, self-serve tap walls with 20 specialty-brewed and staff-curated selections of beer, cider and sangria for guests to choose their pour.

In the kitchen, chef Bobby King serves up all the high-end pub grub you would expect, and it’s all made from scratch—beer cheese and pretzels, grilled chicken wings, Maryland crab cakes, and the signature Red Top burger stacked with two, four-ounce patties on a pretzel bun “that’ll melt in your mouth.”

There are also loads of healthy options with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare, plus a kid’s selection. Sundays boast a hearty brunch menu with favorites like French toast, chicken biscuits and a home-spun grit bowl with eggs and bacon.

We spoke with Jonathan to find out all that’s brewing at Red Top:

Why start a brewery?

Until a couple years ago, Georgia laws were such that if you wanted to buy a beer purchased from the same company that made it, you would have to buy a tour ticket. Brewers couldn’t sell directly to the public. Georgia is still way behind the rest of the country in small breweries and there’s a lot of open market space. That’s when we started thinking about finding a place locally to start a brew pub.

You opened in August 2020, right in the middle of a pandemic…tell us about that experience.

We were originally slated to open earlier in the year; the delay actually gave us the advantage of tracking public health expectations before we officially opened the doors.

For a while, we had people come hang out in the parking lot, mask up and get their beer—the community really rallied behind us from the beginning. Now we see regulars every single week. We’re getting new guests every weekend from 30, 40, and 50 miles away. It’s been awesome.

What’s brewing?

All our brews go for unique flavor profiles. We age beer in chardonnay, bourbon, and rum barrels like you might find in San Diego, San Francisco or Denver. We recently did a Porter in a Maker’s Mark™ barrel.

A staple brew is our Honey, Honey—a honey saison. People love it—it’s light and crisp with a little touch of honey, but not too sweet.

Selfishly, I get to talk about our number one seller, Mercy Risin’—a double IPA based off of my best home brewing recipe. It started with a visit to California where I had a beer that changed my life. Since Georgia won’t allow beers to be shipped in from other states, the only way I could only ever have it was when I was there. One day, I took to my basement with cooking tools in hand and tried to recreate it. It’s the best recipe I’ve ever made. Our brewmaster, Dave, allowed me to influence one recipe at Red Top— Mercy Risin’. Turns out, our customers love a true West Coast style IPA!

We even have Bud Light™ on our wall, which is a craft beer sin. But the reality is it’s a big part of the market, so we try to meet people where they are. Maybe they’ll try some stuff that’s outside their wheelhouse and be converted to craft beer fanatics—open their minds and expand their pallets.

Tell us about the tap wall—how does it work?

At most breweries, you have to buy a flight or a full pint. You’re committed. So, like every good red-blooded American, even if you hate the beer, you’re going to pinch your nose and drink it.  With the table tap system, it’s pay by the ounce. You might not be a craft beer person, but it’s likely you’d be willing to try an ounce.

What else is unique about Red Top?

We describe the experience at Red Top as a mobile, campus-style environment. You’re not locked to a table. You can have a few beers at the fire pit, grab an appetizer on the front porch, find a nook inside, or enjoy the live band—it’s like visiting your friends’ houses and just hanging out. We have two tap walls—one upstairs and one downstairs. We can even broadcast our live bands on the upstairs screens.

What drew you to Acworth?

The city leadership of Acworth embraced us. We both had businesses in Bartow County, but had a hard time finding property there. In our first meeting with Acworth, they showed us six or seven properties they thought would be good for us but weren’t listed on the market. It absolutely blew us away. (Acworth) has been a great partner and welcomed us from the start.

Last month, we released a beer in honor of Mayor (Tommy) Allegood to say thank you. This a great town with a lot of potential and we’re looking forward to some exciting years ahead.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Acworth ?

I live about a mile and half from here on Main Street. When I go home, I pass by Lake Acworth, Dallas Landing Park, Lake Allatoona and Logan Farm Park. It’s cool because I’m still technically on Main Street, yet near the beaches and parks. That’s  pretty unique for a downtown living environment. Our family enjoys riding our bikes to the lake.

It’s also a golf cart community and an open container district, so you can get a cup to go and finish your beer on the way to the park.

Life is good in Acworth.