STATS Brewpub - Downtown Atlanta Georgia

You can find STATS Brewpub at 300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 just up from the College Football Hall of Fame near Centennial Park. Speaking of park, the parking situation around this area basically sucks - you'll have to pay - your best bet is to leave your car in one of the nearby decks or take MARTA and walk around to several nearby things-to-do.

I knew nothing about STATS prior to being invited to attend a private event during DevNexus held by Object Frontier (shout out to those guys for doing this right). I initially entered downstairs in the main bar and then traveled upstairs to a private event space where there was food provided by STATS along with beer, both on tap and in bottles. I've since come in a couple of times and have had their brewed beer (this is a real Brewpub that offers up a few taps of whatever they happen to be brewing).

First the food - I've only eaten what was catered so probably not the ideal experience. I found it pretty generic but filling - for technology groups there's generally a lot of vegetarian options and that was the case here with hummus and pita chips, crudites, etc. They also had nachos and chicken wings that seem to be pretty good (no idea what they are on the menu so there may be a separate catering menu). On my initial visit I had a Kostritzer Schwarzbier black lager and a Paulaner Hefe-Weizen that were both pretty good.

Since then I've had a couple of their own brews:

• Slug Nutty Imperial New England IPA - I liked this quite a bit - pretty awesome hazy DIPA from STATS. Citrus, juicy and a bit of hops, just like I like with great mouthfeel. 
• Ryes Up Rye IPA - More IPA than not, good rye nose and a clean finish. 

The service both during the event and in subsequent visits has been very good. At some point I'll come back with a group and try more of the food options. This is the only downtown brewery currently so if you're looking for options and staying near the park, this is a pretty good one.

(Also posted to Yelp)
 

Taco Mac at The Prado - Sandy Springs Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of the Taco Mac (or T-Mac as they seem to be rebranding) at 5600 Roswell Rd, Ste 3, Sandy Springs Georgia 30342 at the Prado. Parking is along the streets or in the parking decks (parking is free at either).

Typical of the other Taco Mac locations, the interior is a fairly dark affair even with windows lining some walls and probably due to the lighting and black ceiling. But you don't come here to enjoy the sights outbound to the parking or street - instead you come for the many, many TVs showing any manner of current sports, the extensive beer selection and pretty much the wings.

My previous visits had me enthralled by the pour-count taps at many of the tables. Basically you sit where the taps have something agreeable to the table, set things up with the staff and get blistering drunk with non-stop beer guzzling action. Unfortunately those taps have been removed (or perhaps it's a good thing). Otherwise there isn't much distinctive to this location if you don't count the Fred (ask about it after you join Brewniversity). This night I ordered  Founders Double Trouble to start - quite good.

Speaking of Brewniversity, once you sign up you can show the server your card and the app keeps up with the varieties of beer you drink. There are thresholds that provide you with prizes (you usually get a shirt for signing up - of course I never got mine). This thing is cool when it works - or perhaps I should say it's cool except when your server forgets to run your card or even better, doesn't give your card back (happened to me at this location, first I didn't get my card and asked for a replacement online, waited and tried using it on my last visit and none of my drinks were registered).

And if that last seemed a bit of a jab at the servers, you got it. While the service at some of the locations is very good (the Ashford Crossing location, for instance), this location seems to be a bit off and very inconsistent for me. Better to sit at the bar as the bartenders have it together.

As usual my group went for the wings and from the last time I visited I got "the trick" - try the wings roasted instead of fried and get a side of the  Three-Mile-Island or even better, the Slow Burn sauce. That's a true winner and elevates the common wing to new heights. We also had both the sweet potato and regular fries which are hard to beat.

I ordered several different stouts or chocolate porters on this occasion - I tend to focus on the draft selections - all were exceptional. The Ob the Gubna was quite strong but well balanced with delicious accents; the Starr Hill Boxcar Pumpkin Porter - was better than I thought it would be (I really don't like flavored beers but this one worked).

In all the service was good (we sat at the bar) and the wings good and my expectations met. Otherwise this is a solid 3 of 5 stars.

(Also published to Yelp)