Nate, founder of Alpine Leather & Supply, Co. sipping coffee and enjoying his craft.
North Georgia Made Makers – stories of makers from North Georgia (full video story below).
At Reformation, we are proudly North Georgia Made — located at the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with three taprooms uniquely positioned to give our guests memorable outdoor experiences along trails and rivers.
As makers ourselves, we know both the challenges and pleasures of making handcrafted products high in quality and value for our loyal fans. North Georgia comprises a variety of hardworking and dedicated artists and makers who love their craft and love sharing it with their local community. As we prepare to enter Fall and our 10th-anniversary season, we could not think of a better way to tell the story of being North Georgia Made than highlighting the makers in our community and sharing their inspiring stories.
Nate, working on making a leather passport holder at his shop at the Mill on Etowah in Canton.
In this first pilot episode, we chose to feature one of our local vendors and handmade leather craftsman, Nate Bridges of Alpine Leather & Supply, Co. Nate’s story of taking the entrepreneurial leap in college, discovering a love for leather on a trip to Nashville, and overcoming challenges will leave you inspired and ready to engage the maker in you.
Nate’s shop is located at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, just a few steps from our taproom and main production facility. We hope you enjoy this story and it spurs you to not only support your local community of makers but get busy making something too. Cheers to the reformers and makers in all of us!
Follow our story and learn more about what it means to be North Georgia Made.
*Stay tuned for hopefully more to come in this series focused on makers. Cheers to the makers and reformers in all of us.
Live music, pup ice cream, dog licking, furry friendships, puppy merch, and more – our Reformation Pup Crawl on Saturday, August 26th celebrating National Dog Day was a barking blast! Thanks for celebrating with us and bringing your furry friends out in style! Special thanks to Tyler Anderson at Southern Photo Co. for the great pics!
We were honored to win “Best Brewery” In Woodstock and Canton for Around Woodstock and Around Canton’s READERS’ CHOICE 2023 awards! 🥳🎈 🎉 🍻
All credit goes to our fabulous hardworking crew and you our loyal raving fans. We could not have come this far or kept going strong without all of the love and good vibes from our hometown community.
And, we could not think of a better way to celebrate the lead-up to Fall and the eve of our 10th anniversary this October 31st (along with our Cadence Fair 10/14).
Thank you, Woodstock, Canton, and all of our Cherokee County friends!
Cheers to many more moments together. 🍻 🥂
Meet the Crew: Discover the Faces and Stories behind Who We Are and What We Do.
“I love our production team right now. We have a very solid crew. Everyone knows what they’re doing. Nobody has to be asked what to do twice. We all make fun of each other but everyone knows what to do and when to do it. We’re pretty happy with production.” — Paul Hamill
STORY
Our Reformation Crew is the backbone of who we are and what we do. They are often the unknown faces and stories behind the well-known places and products you love. You can’t taste our drinks or enjoy our spaces without interacting with one of our incredible crew members.
This is why we are launching a brand new series starting this May highlighting our crew and featuring their stories called, “Meet the Crew.” Each month, we will feature 1 crew member in a blog post and a fun video on social media to share their unique roles and personalities.
FEATURING: Paul Hamill, Lead Brewer/Head Distiller
For our next crew member, we want to introduce you to Paul Hamill, our Lead Brewer/Head Distiller responsible for the overall production of our Craft Spirits line of products. You have probably seen Paul in Woodstock or most likely Canton – our production headquarters – distilling vodka or gin, telling cheesy dad jokes, embellishing his Irish charm, picking on his fellow production crew mates, or kicking back one of his favorite Reformation libations (a Reformation IPA or our new London Dry Gin).
When Paul’s not raising spirits he can be found making homemade guitars, enjoying the outdoors with his wife, or cooking up something delicious in a backyard bbq.
Get to know Paul and what makes him who he is in the conversation below.
The director of all the things nobody else wants to do. Messy and uncomfortable, I’ll do any of those. I’ll do anything that is necessary.
Where are you from and where do you call home?
Eastern Tennessee, the deep South (haha)! I am originally from Belfast, Ireland. But, I have now lived in the States since 1997. I have been in Atlanta all that time. In the last year, I have lived up near Canton. It feels like home up there and we are enjoying it.
What is your favorite Reformation beer and the most underrated?
My favorite of all time or go-to used to be Atlas – our original IPA, a rye IPA. I really loved that. We stopped making that for a couple of reasons. My go-to now is our Reformation IPA. It’s a good solid IPA. I also drink our Lagers – we have nice New Zealand Lagers. I like our Cold One.
What are some hidden talents or special interests?
During the Covid lockdown, I taught myself how to make solid-body electric guitars. I made a couple of those from blocks of wood, a neckpiece, and a fingerboard. I can shave and put together an electric guitar.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?
Yes, an unpleasant sandwich but a sandwich. I would top it with everything on it: tomato, mustard, sauerkraut, relish, the whole thing to hide the taste of animal parts.
Who makes you laugh the most at work?
That’s a good question. Who makes me laugh the most or who do I laugh at the most? Everyone is funny at the brewery. We try and have a good time. Currently, I pick on Kyle. I won’t say what I say to him because it gets unpleasant (laugh). He’s fine with all this picking unless he has a heavy flow day and then I back off a bit (laugh).
Favorite place to enjoy a great drink with friends?
Reformation, especially in Canton.
What is one thing you love about Reformation culture?
You can come up to Reformation anytime, any day and there will always be somebody there to talk to whether it’s a friend, a local, or a regular. Everyone is so happy and welcoming here.
Famous person dead or alive you would spend the day with?
I would say, Ed Sheeran. I watched his show on Disney+. He seems like a really nice guy. He was in Atlanta recently and mistakenly went to SweetWater Brewery (haha) had a couple of pints, went behind the bar, served some beers, and played a couple of songs, he seems a really nice guy and has his own guitar company in Northern Ireland.
Paul in the brewhouse of our Woodstock taproom.
Want to join our incredible crew and get in on the excitement? Send in your resume at the link below to apply: https://reformationbrewery.com/careers/
Subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media to stay connected to everything Reformation and this exciting series.
“Brew Nights organically grew over three years from 10-20 friends to over a hundred people with some travelling from all over Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Carolinas; with some opting to camp out on Nick’s property.”
– Spencer Nix, Co-founder, and CEO.
What are Brew Nights?
From home brew to hometown brewery, our story started at home with family, friends, and neighbors! This Summer join us for a throwback to our favorite OG Reformation tradition, Brew Night!
Once a month on third Fridays, from May-July you’re invited to gather around the brew kettle and share in community and conversation. We’ll open up the brew gates so you can get a first-hand look at the brewing process from our Woodstock taproom, turn up the music, and pour generously straight from the tank.
The Short Story Behind Brew Nights
“Around 2007, we started sharing our homebrew with a few friends and it was not organized at all. We’d say, ‘hey we’re gonna brew next Thursday because Nick (Nick Downs, Co-founder) is off and I don’t have a lot going on so let’s brew and hang out.’ So we’d brew and hang out with a few buddies and they loved it and would say, ‘hey, can I invite a few friends to come too?’ So, it started organically growing at Nick’s house on about 10 acres near the Clayton community. We got to the point where it needed more organization. At the same time, Nick and I started to plant a church together and build community locally. Brew Nights became a natural way to help build organic community. Brew Nights happened every third Friday where friends, family, and future friends could bring their own food and instruments to enjoy a meal, homebrewed beer, live music, campfires, and just hang out together. Brew Nights organically grew over three years from 10-20 friends to over a hundred people with some travelling from all over Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Carolinas; with some opting to camp out on Nick’s property.”
– Spencer Nix, Co-founder, and CEO
10-Years Brewing – 2013-2023
On October 31, 2013, Brew Nights moved from homebrew to hometown brewery with the official launch of Reformation Brewery – then on Arnold Mill. In 2023, with countless moments made, hundreds of beers released, a new Craft Spirits line of products, and three outdoor-friendly taprooms in and around North Georgia (Canton, Woodstock, and Smyrna), we celebrate 10 years of brewing beer with the same values and love for the community we had at our OG Brew Nights.
Bring a friend and enjoy community, conversation, and freshly brewed beer at our Summer Brew Nights every Third Friday from May to July. Find out more here.
“The good work of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is vital to our community’s success.”
– Spencer Nix, Reformation Co-founder and CEO
It is hard to truly appreciate something until you are fully immersed in the experience of it.
Yesterday, under blue skies, sunshine, and the cool breeze of Spring, we had the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves and experience the beauty of the Chattahoochee River up close and personal. Jason Ulseth, Riverkeeper, and Kyndall Thiessen, Development Director, took us on a guided riverboat tour of the ‘Hooch to learn about and experience the incredible work of their Chattahoochee Riverkeeper team — keeping Atlanta’s vital water source clean and safe since 1994.
Their love for the river, passion to care for it, and tireless work to preserve it for future generations is contagious.
The Chattahoochee River “begins as a tiny stream in north Georgia and flows all the way to the Apalachicola Bay and is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia” (source, CRK’s Fun Facts). We learned that the river is not only a primary water source for Metro Atlanta’s 5 million residents but has weathered many storms from sewage and industrial pollutants to litter trails and the dangers of extreme droughts and floods. Not only do we depend on the river to live, work, and play but so do the surrounding wildlife and the natural ecosystem.
The river creates a sustainable source of water as well as feeds many outdoor activities like hiking, tubing, boating, and so much more. Nearly 30 years of river keeping has helped revitalize land along the river leading to development and redevelopment projects and investment in new businesses and neighborhoods as well as plans for future parks and trails. The fruits of their labor are paying off with exciting new developments and a river that is 99% clean of sewage contamination.
One of those development efforts includes The Eddy at Riverview Landing in Smyrna — a mixed-use development including townhomes, retail, eateries, coffee shops, an outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, and Reformation’s own Smyrna taproom with adjacent bbq restaurant and outdoor seating and river access.
Why would a brewery care about river keeping? Because keeping clean water flowing is bigger than just keeping beer taps pouring. It ensures a sustainable water resource for our kids and grandkids for years to come. Here is why we are honored and privileged to be one of their partners and now neighbors in Smyrna:
“Good water isn’t just our business’ most precious natural resource, good water creates spaces that people want to gather and enjoy. The good work of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is vital to our community’s success. Our shared values and vision to create space to enjoy and liberate moments that matter to people in North Georgia make Chattahoochee Riverkeeper one of our most valued partners.”
Spencer Nix, Reformation Co-Founder and CEO.
Our Smyrna taproom offers 16 beers on tap, adjacent bbq, events like music bingo every Thursday at 7 pm and trivia every Sunday at 6 pm, and the following hours:
TUES – THURS: 3 pm – 9 pm
FRI – SAT: 12 pm – 10 pm
SUN: 12 pm – 9 pm
Located at 6255 Riverview Rd. SE Building 4000 Suite 200 Smyrna, GA 30126
*You can join us in supporting their important mission too -through gifts and volunteer work.
Meet the Crew: Discover the Faces and Stories behind Who We Are and What We Do.
“You can come up to Reformation anytime, any day and there will always be somebody there to talk to whether it’s a friend, a local, or a regular. Everyone is so happy and welcoming here.” — Danica Clark
STORY
Our Reformation Crew is the backbone of who we are and what we do. They are often the unknown faces and stories behind the well-known places and products you love. You can’t taste our drinks or enjoy our spaces without interacting with one of our incredible crew members.
This is why we are launching a brand new series starting this May highlighting our crew and featuring their stories called, “Meet the Crew.” Each month, we will feature 1-2 crew members in a blog post and a fun video on social media to share their unique roles and personalities.
For the kick-off to this series, we want to introduce you to Danica Clark, our Woodstock Venue Coordinator responsible for the overall condition of the Woodstock taproom as well as staff and service execution. You have probably seen Danica in Woodstock serving guests with a smile, gladly guiding their beer decisions, laughing with her fellow crew members, and working hard to keep things running smoothly and looking great.
When she’s not serving our guests, Danica can be found enjoying the outdoors with her husband Paul, fur baby life with her dog Cowboy, searching for tasty pickles, or hanging with her friends over a skinny margarita.
Get to know Danica and what makes her who she is in the conversation below.
Yes, they call me Danny, Danimals, Danny Bananny, Alex calls me Dannacan, so yeah, I have a lot.
Where are you from and where do you call home?
I grew up in Kennesaw – I went to school and college down there. I recently moved to Woodstock, Georgia, and fell in love with it and call it my home now.
What is your favorite Reformation beer and the most underrated?
My favorite of all time – we had a vegan blueberry milkshake IPA or our honeydew Kolsch. The most underrated is Stark. Once the weather hits 65 degrees, a nice Stark is very crisp, easy to drink, but still warms you; it’s great.
What are some hidden talents or special interests?
I know sign language as well as I was a clogger for about 20 years. It was so fun – I started when I was two-and-a-half. I had a great team. We went to competitions and won state, went to nationals and I was on the state team. It was very fun.
Favorite time of year?
Late Autumn.
Favorite place to vacation?
Vail, Colorado.
What is the best thing that coworkers say you bring to the crew?
My leadership style and positive attitude.
Favorite place to enjoy a great drink with friends?
Anywhere we can get a great margarita. As long as it’s a skinny margarita, on the rocks, with sugar on the rim.
What’s a fun fact about you according to your husband?
Her husband Paul says, “She’s the best dog mom around and the best passenger princess on long road trips.”
Favorite walk-up music and why?
“Man, I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain. If you know me, you know that’s it. It’s the only song I do karaoke to. Once I hear the intro, I’m up, and I’m singing, I love it!
Favorite movie of all time?
Forest Gump. I quote the “run, Forest, run” all the time. I quote it anytime I see somebody running.
Who is your absolute favorite person at work?
[Laugh] My husband would kill me if I don’t say him, but it differs from day to day.
What is one thing you love about Reformation culture?
You can come up to Reformation anytime, any day and there will always be somebody there to talk to whether it’s a friend, a local, or a regular. Everyone is so happy and welcoming here.
Reformation is very passionate about being North Georgia Made and all things outdoors. What is something you love doing in the outdoors?
I love going paddleboarding on the lake – specifically Lake Allatoona. Taking the dogs hiking. The boat. I just like to be outside in the sun.
Want to join our incredible crew and get in on the excitement? Send in your resume at the link below to apply: https://reformationbrewery.com/careers/
Subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media to stay connected to everything Reformation and this exciting series.
