We all know the outcome of the story of the tortoise and the hare - slow and steady wins the race. For Terrapin Beer Co. founders John Cochran and Brian “Spike” Buckowski, using the tortoise’s cousin the turtle as its mascot may have been an omen. After more than a decade, their dream of opening a brewery has finally come true.

The hangar like industrial park building seems like something from the 1970’s, but everything is shiny and new inside the Terrapin Brewery. 

The tour guide Dustin Watts, who also happens to be vice president of sales and marketing, will proudly tell you how he cleaned the grain bags that are adorning the walls, and made all the signs, and the fence and the bar from recycled pallets.

This small operation of environmentally conscious beer lovers earned a whole new fan base once the Georgia law capping beers at 6% alcohol was overturned in 2004. It was then Terrapin turned their attention to creating seasonal beers that pushed palates and the envelope. Thus began the Monster Beer Tour which includes Big Hoppy Monster, Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout, Rye Squared, and the All American Imperial Pilsner. All of which can be sampled at the bar Watts constructed.

In addition to samples, you'll also get inside information on the latest Side Project, limited release 22-ounce bottles that give Buckowski another place to experiment. The first one, Hop Shortage was brewed in response to the current worldwide shortages of malt and hops and at this point, can probably only be found in a Terrapin employee's personal collection.

Tours are Thursday nights 5:30-7:30 and every Saturday 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Glasses for tasting are $8 each. The tours run every 15-30 minutes and the taps stop pouring about 30 minutes after the last tour. 

Bottom Line: After contract brewing in places like Frederick, Maryland, Terrapin finally has an address in Athens that is more than a P.O. Box. However, for the team at Terrapin that means the work is just beginning.  

www.terrapinbeer.com