Pontoon Brewing Company

 Hello again beer enthusiast's and welcome back to the final edition of Beers with Brandon for the season. In order to end this series on a high note I thought it would be nice to take a trip down to Sandy Springs, GA and visit a relatively new member to the craft beer scene Pontoon Brewing. Initially opened in December 2017 this paradise was founded by a group of passionate friends and beer aficionados who got together over their love of beer and the escaping this stressful world through the "Pontoon Lifestyle" where the company got their name. This lifestyle is a reference to the slow-moving pontoon boats that are perfect for those days where you just want to sit back while enjoying a drink with your friends and getting lost in the good times on the water. From their humble beginnings they have since grown into a major hub for beer lovers in the Atlanta area with their layback vibes and lip-smacking brews. Located at 8601 Dunwoody Place it conveniently places them next to a channel stemming from the Chattahoochee River giving patrons the chance to sip beers with their toes in the water and not a care in the world. For those in a rush or worried about social distancing they also offer carryout options with five different 6-pack options grouped by beer type.   

Currently Pontoon has fourteen beers on draft with and additional four only available in 16 oz cans. One of their top beers in my opinion is the Wake Zone IPA and it's sturdy 6.5% ABV. Yet another hazy IPA this brew pours a light golden orange with an opaque body and faint aromas of peach, diesel and pine hops, and faint traces of pineapple. These scents are well represented by the overall taste and is followed up by a rough lingering bitterness. One of their more daring and bold beers is the Honorary Girl Scout: Samo'nut Cookie Milk Porter coming in with a hefty 8% ABV. This beer is defined by its caramel packed flavor with sprinkles of toffee and finishes strong with toasted coconut and chocolate giving off the impression you are drinking a Samoa cookie. Pontoon Brewing has made a name for themselves by taking risks and experimenting with various combinations to create new bold flavors. This risk-taking strategy is best exemplified in their Quad Stack canned Belgian Quadrupel. Infused with real Vermont maple syrup and splashes of ripe figs, brown sugar, and molasses this quad will knock your socks off with an almost unheard of 11% ABV while reminding one of eating pancakes with each sip this is not a beer for the faint of heart and is sweet from start to finish. I want to take all of your for joining me on this adventure through the world of craft beers and it is my hope that I have inspired you to journey further into this realm and try new exciting beers. Cheers to you all!