If you like your waiters in kilts and your scotch top shelf, then head to Molly MacPherson's, the city's only Scottish pub. Enjoying a great location on Congress Street just steps from City Market, Molly's is at once spacious and bustling, with plenty of room to spread out but always drawing a lively crowd. In addition to a superb selection of scotch and authentic Scottish cuisine, Molly's offers wine, beer, cocktails and more traditional bar food for less adventurous eaters. The bar hosts open mic nights on Thursdays and features live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hours at Molly's always draw a nice crowd and patrons can expect great drink specials.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: Molly MacPherson's is known for its scotch, but beer aficionados have plenty to celebrate--the pub has a good selection of beer from the U.K.
Amy's expert tip: If sipping your scotch has made you hungry, try the Scotch Eggs, two deep fried hardboiled eggs encased in sausage.
Not everyone wants a loud bar with blaring music and a pickup scene. If your tastes are more refined and you prefer sipping a nice glass of wine while listening to classic jazz, be sure to stop by Circa 1875. The Historic District bar--once the site of an Irish pub--is dark and cozy, with old-fashioned wooden partitions between booths, a beautiful bar and gorgeous tile work. The selection at the bar is equally pleasing, with a nice array of boutique wines by the glass, imported draft beer, handcrafted martinis and standard cocktails. Patrons may order off the menu from Circa's adjoining restaurant, which serves excellent, upscale French cuisine.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: Beer connoisseurs who like to enjoy their ale in an upscale environment will appreciate the craft beer and outstanding cuisine at Circa 1875 Gastropub.
Amy's expert tip: If you're dying to try Circa's food but don't want to break the bank, order the 1875 Hamburger Au Poivre.
There are more than 40 varieties of beer, cider and soda on tap, but the Beer Growler, located on the bottom level of Drayton Towers in the Historic District, is not a bar. The unique retail store sells 32- and 64-ounce beer growlers--or jugs--that can be filled in the store. To comply with Georgia law, the growlers are sealed, thus enabling patrons to purchase their beer and exit the premises. The store's rotating selection of beers on tap have included domestic choices like Southern Tier's Unearthly IPA and Clown Shoes' Tramp Stamp and imported beers including Brouwerij Het Anker's Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor and Weihenstephan's Vitus.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: The Beer Growler is technically a store, but thanks Georgia law, you can take your (sealed) jug of beer to go.
Amy's expert tip: The 32- and 64-ounce beer growlers are interchangeable at no extra charge, so if you're jonesing for a bigger size on your next visit, ask for a free upgrade.
This Belgian- and German-inspired gastropub features a mind-blowing selection of beer and a menu filled with European favorites. Located on Oglethorpe Avenue in the heart of Savannah's Historic District, The Bier Haus has 20 beers on tap, including Malheur 10, Kasteel Rouge, Reissdorf Kolsch and Palm Amber. The bottled beer runs the gamut from a $5 11-ounce Ace Joker Dry Hard Cider to an indulgent $250 203-ounce bottle of St. Bernardus Abt 12 Methuselah (bring friends and plan to share). The lunch menu features appetizers, salads and sandwiches including Schnitzel and a Croque-Monsieur. The dinner menu boasts appetizers, mussels, meat and cheese plates, and entrees such as spicy stout and sausage chili and vegetarian Welsh Glamorgan sausage.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: If you're a fan of German and Belgium beer, you'll be smitten over The Bier Haus, a gastropub featuring every kind of European beer imaginable.
Amy's expert tip: Adventurous with your beer but not your food? Grab a slice of pizza next door at Screamin' Mimi's, then head to the Bier Haus and enjoy a cold one.
This longtime Savannah favorite first opened its doors in 1933 and holds the distinction of being the city's second oldest restaurant. The original Crystal Beer Parlor was one of Savannah's most popular restaurants and was the first American eating establishment to serve alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition. Despite the restaurant's rich history and popularity, the Crystal Beer Parlor faced tough times and even closed its doors for a number of years. Energized by new owners, the Crystal Beer Parlor reopened in its original location in 2009 and has once again become a Savannah favorite. The restaurant is known for its thick, juicy, freshly made burgers and great selection of beer but also receives rave reviews for its seafood, salads and other American-influenced fare. The Crystal Beer Parlor's gorgeous wooden bar is always lively, and the restaurant hosts weekday happy hours and trivia night every Monday.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: The Crystal Beer Parlor may be known for its outstanding burgers and cool old photos, but it has an equally impressive selection of beer.
Amy's expert tip: Give yourself plenty of time to check out all the cool memorabilia on the Crystal Beer Parlor's walls.
Fans of British pubs will love Churchill's. Not only are the furnishings and decor the real deal (the hand-carved mahogany bar was crafted in England and shipped to Savannah), but the owners are too--British transplants who have successfully created an authentic pub atmosphere in the Deep South. Like most British pubs, Churchill's is known for its impressive selection of beer, which includes imported draught and bottled beer from Europe and the U.S. Non-beer drinkers will find that Churchill's has a nice assortment of single malt scotches, along with an array of wine and cocktails. Churchill's restaurant serves traditional British pub fare, including favorites such as fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and bangers and mash. Patrons can enjoy their food and libations at the bar, in the restaurant area or on the popular rooftop terrace.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: Churchill's Pub & Restaurant, Savannah's favorite British pub, features imported draught and bottled beer from Europe and the U.S.
Amy's expert tip: Wash down your drink with a serving of Churchill's bread pudding.
Beer snobs unite. The Distillery, a popular Historic District bar, features an assortment of more than 100 craft brews and a rotating selection of 21 beers on tap. You won't find cheap favorites such as Bud and Miller Light here: The Distillery's beer menu is instead filled with unique choices like Terrapin Easy Rider, Left Hand Milk Stout and Moon River Apparition Ale, a locally brewed favorite. Non-beer drinkers will be pleased with the bar's excellent selection of wine and unique cocktail specials. The bar, which is housed in a former early 20th-century distilling establishment, makes the most of its historic roots, incorporating a mahogany-topped bar and antique copper still into its d�cor. Many artifacts around the bar date back to the American Revolution, and the walls are covered with posters and vintage memorabilia.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: There's no Bud or Miller at The Distillery, a cool space with a great selection of craft beers from around the world.
Amy's expert tip: Take advantage of your server's knowledge of beer. Ask about pairings and serving size before ordering your ale.
Moon River Brewing Company, the city's premier brewpub, makes the finest beer in the Southeast right on the premises. Numerous house-brewed beers are on tap, including Slow-vannah, an American pale ale with a medium- to full-body palate. Ask for a taster glass to sample any or all of the brews to see which you like best. The beer also offers a full bar and good, reasonably priced food. Start off with Moon River crab cakes, and then consider excellent and reasonably priced sandwiches, pastas, appetizers and more. Entrees include ribs, filet mignon, and chicken and sausage Creole. Happy hour specials are available every day from 4-7 p.m. Moon River Brewing's new 5,400-square-foot Beer Garden features seating for more than 200 patrons and has see-through garage doors that are opened up when the weather's nice.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: Enjoy locally brewed beer at the Moon River Brewing Company. Knock back your Slo-vannah American pale ale in Moon River's restaurant or new Beer Garden.
Amy's expert tip: If you're not in the mood for beer, try a cocktail made with one of Moon River's house-infused liquors.
This beer-lovers' paradise on Broughton Street in the Historic District has a selection of more than 500 beers, including 62 varieties on draft. The Florida-based chain also has a mind-blowing selection of bottled beer, with choices from 40 countries. World of Beer is a no-brainer for beer connoisseurs, but even casual fans will enjoy the bar's unpretentious atmosphere and knowledgeable and friendly staff. World of Beer features live music several nights a week, daily happy hours, ladies nights and other special promotions. Patrons can even sign up for World of Beer's loyalty card program and enjoy perks and special savings.
Recommended for Brew Pubs because: The name says it all. Broughton Street's World of Beer features 500 varieties of beer, including 62 beers on tap.
Amy's expert tip: Download the World of Beer app on your smartphone to find WOB locations and to access rewards on your loyalty card.
