Max Beer, Max Food, Max Lagers
Written: Jun 10 '03 (Updated Nov 05 '04)
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Pros: Outstanding beer and food.
Cons: None come to mind.
The Bottom Line: Best bet for fresh, hand-crafted beer in downtown Atlanta.
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| Bruguru's Full Review: Max Lagers American Grill & Brewery |
Atlanta’s beer scene just seems to keep getting better and better. Like the vibrant city itself, which is in the process of adding a new aquarium and a skyscraper that will house a new symphony hall, new additions to the local beer culture are constantly popping up as well. Max Lagers American Grill and Brewery is a great example. Building upon the success of their Peachtree Street location, Max Lagers has recently opened a second location in the Mall of Georgia, where you can enjoy their fresh made beers and tender, juicy steaks during a break from your shopping adventures.
Personally, I think I’ll always prefer the downtown location. There is just something about a brewpub in the heart of a city that really attracts me, and your best bet for fresh beer in downtown Atlanta is definitely Max Lagers. My beloved Barbara and I always enjoy a walk through downtown Atlanta on a leisurely Saturday afternoon, taking in the Underground, perhaps a Braves game or a tour of the World of Coca-Cola, and then capping off the day with a stop at Max Lagers.
The Atmosphere
Max Lagers is rather unassuming in appearance from the outside, housed in an old factory building with the brewery logo painted on the side. Once you walk inside, that industrial feel is still very apparent, rather fitting for a restaurant/brewery where tasty brews and delicious dishes are carefully crafted by hand. The brick walls, steel girders, and occasional cog or wheel all add to the effect, as does the assortment of brewing equipment.
Max Lagers has two levels with a bar on each. There are plenty of tables upstairs or down, and there is a beer garden in the rear of the facility if you prefer to dine al fresco. If you are visiting on the weekend, be advised that they don’t open until 4PM (11:30 AM on weekdays). They close early too, 11 o’clock all week long.
The Food
Max Lagers offers a variety of steaks, pizzas, sandwiches, and pasta. Should you just be in the mood for a snack, there are plenty of appetizers from which to choose. The house M’achos are tasty and plentiful with oodles of cheese, black beans, sour cream, roasted red pepper aioli and jalapenos (on the side if you like). Wings Our Way are a favorite too, jumbo sized and heavily coated with a thick spicy sauce. You can get them in orders of ten or twenty, though ten are usually enough for even the biggest of appetites.
I like the Jambalaya. Packed with shrimp, chicken, Andouille sausage and vegetables in spicy Cajun rice, this is a delicious entrée served in epic proportions. Barbara prefers steaks, and she has never been disappointed in this regard. Her favorite is the Manhattan Strip, a 14 ounce cut carefully seasoned and cooked to perfection. It’s tender, juicy and served with fresh veggies and potato or rice pilaf.
Should you have a milder appetite, there are plenty of salads, sandwiches, and burgers on the menu. You can’t lose with a wood oven baked pizza, and you can watch from the bar as they prepare it for you if you like. Two can easily dine on one, whether you choose from the loaded PPO Max (pepperoni, onions, green peppers, red sauce, basil, mozzarella and oregano; the classic Marguerite, or the BBQ Chicken with red onions, green peppers and jalapeno jack cheese.
The Beer
I have never been less than highly impressed with the beer here. When it’s on, Max Abbey is a pure delight, full of yeasty Belgian character, a soft sweet dark maltiness and a warming alcohol finish. Max Scotch is a sweet and malty interpretation of the style that will have you thinking you’re sitting in a pub in Scotland rather than in downtown Atlanta. Max Maibock was pouring when I most recently visited. It’s a truly impressive example of the style, toasty, slightly sweet and full of crisp malt flavor and a slightly hoppy finish with a kick of alcohol to boot. I loved this one.
Other beers I have enjoyed here include:
Max Pale, a deliciously citric hoppy IPA; Max Red, a soft and malty Vienna style lager; Max Gold, a crisp and biscuity Pilsner with a generous hop finish; Max Dunkel, wonderfully coffeeish and spicy with a balancing hop finish; Max Oatmeal Stout, a smooth and silky stout with hints of licorice and espresso; and Max ESB, with lots of rich caramel malt and a balancing hop finish.
Pricing
Prices are very reasonable for downtown. Expect to pay about $8 for sandwiches and appetizers and $13 to $20 for entrees. Beers will run you $3.75 a pint, very reasonable considering some brewpubs in Atlanta are now asking $5 a glass.
Service
Always great here. We have always enjoyed top-notch service whether at the bar or a table.
I love Max lagers. It has great location, great beer, and great food. Give it a try. You’re sure to enjoy it too. And if you’re still not convinced, allow me to close with a few of the accolades listed by Max Lagers on their website:
Awards
Voted Best Local Brew 1999 by the Atlanta Journal & Constitution
Max Pale Ale
Max Gold Pilsner
Max Brown Ale
"Best Place in Atlanta for the Beer Connoisseur" --Atlanta Magazine
"No one in the area is brewing bolder, more interesting beers than John Roberts"...of Max Lager's --Atlanta Journal & Constitution
"Best 10 Beers in Atlanta" --Atlanta Journal & Constitution
Atlanta Magazine May 2003 "....Max has that industrial-chic feel, lots of exposed brick....No brewpub in town plays better music....The salads, sandwiches, specialty pizzas and burgers are killer...." Atlanta Magazine
AJC's Beer Pick February 2003 Max Scotch "John Roberts' interpretation of this classic style has a distinctively sweet malt character....the result is a deep brown caramelized brew with a very sophisticated taste. Scotch drinkers will appreciate the full-bodied mouth feel and the smokiness in the finish........" Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 02/20/03
AJC's Beer Pick January 2003 Max Abbey "Max Lager's brewmaster John Roberts has been creating some of the best beers in Atlanta for many years. His Belgian-style Dubble ranks near the top...." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 01/02/03
Delta's Sky Magazine January 2003 "Aperitif in Atlanta. Both Max Pale Ale and Max Gold Pilsner have been judged among Atlanta's best handcrafted brews. Or "Max" out with a six-sip sampler....." Delta's Sky Magazine
4 Courses from 4 Restaurants in 4 Cities 01/2003
And a good thing just got better: Monday through Friday nights in the upstairs bar, Max Lagers now has $2 pints on max Red, Max Black, Max Pale, and Max Gold.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
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