Although some small businesses ultimately lose local flavor, it is clear microbreweries in the Southeast have continued to retain their appeal to local beer drinkers.

There are many examples of successful microbreweries in the South, but this is true for states and even specific cities as well.

Athenians already had Terrapin Beer Company, Copper Creek Brewery and many other beer-drinking hot spots around Athens, but now even the local Mellow Mushroom franchise has started tapping kegs of their local house beer.

Brewed in Atlanta, Mellow Mushroom’s Shroombrew Pale Ale is lightly hopped and easily drinkable.

The beer’s light hue gives the impression that it is a basic lager or Czech pilsner, but the crisp, bitter hop taste reassures the beer drinker of its style.

This is one of the less intense pale ales. While some Southeastern pale ales are very aromatic and pack a hoppy punch, Shroombrew has a taste which is comparable to Sweetwater’s 420 Extra Pale Ale, only much less intense.

Also unique to this pale ale is the absence of foam and the light carbonation, ideal characteristics for the docile beer drinker.

While this may not be the strongest or most creative beer on tap in Athens, it is a great example of the thriving local beer culture.