Primal Atlanta

Guys, do I have an event for you!! Primal is a celebration of the culinary arts' appreciation for wood fired cooking methods, butchers and whole animal utilization. On Saturday, November 21st, Sweetwater Brewery will host 14 of the area’s best and brightest stars of the new butchery movement appear at Primal, a celebration of early cooking's revival. Butchers will give a side-by-side demonstration on how to break down a complete pig, cow, goat and lamb into cuts of meat. Afterward, chefs will create and cook meaty creations over a hickory, applewood or almond wood flame. Ten family owned wineries make up the Oregon Wine Experience. The Primal VIP experience includes 35 pounds of Allan Benton’s Bacon, wood-fired oysters, whole wheels of artisan cheese grilled over hardwood, fire-toasted breads, reserve wines and special beers. $55 general admission (inclusive of wines, butcher demo, brew, meat tasting) $100 VIP Experience at 5:30PM (reserve wines, Benton’s Bacon Bar, cheese, oysters and special brews). For more information, please visit the following websites: www.facebook.com/event. and www.artofthebutcher.com.

Chomp and Stomp

Looking for something fun in Atlanta to do this weekend? Missed out on the October festivals and chili cook-offs? Well then head on down to the Chomp and Stomp in Cabbagetown this Saturday, November 7th. This community festival features a chili cook-off, artist market, bluegrass bands and, as noted from their flyer "tasty beer". Oh, and a 5K run for you active folks. The festival starts at 10am and goes to 6pm. Rumor has it that chili is available at noon so you might want to get there early if you're looking to sample some. This festival draws a crowd so contestants will run out of chili and probably fast! Check out the official Chomp and Stomp website for all the info: www.chompandstomp.com

Fest-of-Ale Thursdays

The Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts the Fest-of-Ale event every Thursday from 5pm-10pm in October. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some seasonal brews and live music in the gardens as well as a "beer school". Bring a flashlight to explore the Scarecrows in the Garden and Moore in America exhibitions at night. Admission to the gardens is $15 per person. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Smyrna Annual Beer Festival

This Saturday, September 5th, is the 6th Annual Smyrna Beer Festival held at the Smyrna Market Village. The beer festival includes tastings of over 100 beers and a limited selection of wines. There will be a DJ or you can take in a college ball game. Food will be available. Dog friendly! The entry fee is $25 per person in advance and $35 per person at the gate. The event starts at 1pm and ends at 6pm. Entry is limited to the first 3000 participants and is 21 and over event. For more information, a list of beers offered last year and the address of the event, visit the Smyrna Market Village's website at www.smyrnamarketvillageevents.com.

Sweetwater Brewery Tours

Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta have held week day evening tours of their facilities for several years and have recently added a Saturday tour from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Here’s your opportunity to sample several of their brews, including the standard Sweetwater 420 and Sweetwater IPA, along with some seasonal brews. If you just want to sample, you can get a small plastic cup and six tickets for small pours for free. But, if you like your beer, go for the $8 admission which includes a souvenir glass and tickets for six 5 oz. pours. The actual tour of the facility lasts about 20 minutes and the rest of the time is used for sampling their beers in their large tasting room or on the patio. There’s live music and its dog friendly. Sweetwater Brewery is at 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, 30324. Tours are for those 21 and over so don’t forget to bring your ID! For more information go to www.sweetwaterbrew.com.