Walk into Atlantucky Brewing on a Friday evening and you might catch Fish Scales or Skinny DeVille behind the bar pouring pints while hip-hop plays at a volume that lets you actually have a conversation. The space feels different from other Atlanta breweries, and not just because the owners happen to be members of a Grammy-nominated hip-hop group. Located at 170 Northside Drive Southwest in Castleberry Hill, Atlantucky occupies 6,000 square feet of former loft space just blocks from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where four members of Nappy Roots have turned their passion for craft beer into one of Georgia's few Black-owned brick-and-mortar breweries.
The name "Atlantucky" itself tells part of the story, combining the two places that shaped the group's identity. Nappy Roots formed when its members were students at Western Kentucky University in the late 1990s. Founding members Fish Scales, Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, and Ron Clutch all share ownership of the brewery, with two members now calling Georgia home and two remaining in Kentucky. That dual identity shows up everywhere from the beer names to the pizza menu, creating a space that feels genuinely connected to both Southern hip-hop culture and the craft beer community.
The taproom at Atlantucky Brewing features industrial loft aesthetics with plenty of bar seating. Photo: Phil Hudson / The Infatuation
From Garage Brewing to Professional Craft Beer
Fish Scales, whose given name is Melvin Adams, and Skinny DeVille did not start out planning to open a brewery. Their interest in craft beer began years ago when they started home brewing in Adams' garage while touring as Nappy Roots. The group had already experienced massive success with hits like "Po' Folks," "Awnaw," and "Good Day" that put Southern hip-hop on the national map. But after years of drinking whatever was available on the road, they discovered craft beer and realized there was a whole world beyond the standard domestic lagers. The group documented their journey toward opening the brewery in a 2021 TV series called "40 Acres & A Brew," which won "Best Episodic Short" at the Rome International Film Festival.
DeVille described the revelation in simple terms: it opened their eyes to another world out there. Craft beer represented a higher level of consciousness for what beer could be. That curiosity led them to start experimenting with their own recipes, brewing small batches and learning the fundamentals of fermentation and hop profiles.
Before opening their own facility, Nappy Roots tested the waters by collaborating with established Atlanta breweries. In 2017, they partnered with Monday Night Brewing to create "Front Porch," a pale ale that proved the concept of hip-hop artists entering the craft beer space could work. They followed up with "Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz," a golden ale that nodded to their Kentucky roots, and later released "Kentucky Mud," a nitro chocolate milk stout brewed with Arches Brewing in Hapeville.
These collaborations served as both learning experiences and proof of concept. The beers sold well, the fans responded positively, and the group gained practical experience working with professional brewing equipment and understanding what it took to scale beyond garage brewing.
The tap handles at Atlantucky feature creative beer names that reflect the brewery's hip-hop roots. Photo: Yelp
Finding a Home in Castleberry Hill
The location of Atlantucky Brewing carries its own significance. The brewery sits in a building owned by the family of Herman J. Russell, the Atlanta icon whose construction company helped reshape the city's skyline and who played a pivotal role in developing Black business ownership in the region. Being welcomed into a Russell family property connected Atlantucky to a legacy of Black entrepreneurship that stretches back decades.
Castleberry Hill made sense for reasons beyond the building itself. The neighborhood has deep ties to music and Atlanta's creative community, and its proximity to the Atlanta University Center, home to Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, meant the brewery would be accessible to students and faculty from three of the nation's most prominent historically Black institutions.
The building itself presented both opportunity and challenge. The former loft space at the Intown Loft Apartment complex required significant transformation to become a functional brewery and taproom. The 6,000-square-foot facility needed to accommodate brewing equipment, a central bar, seating areas, a stage for performances, and eventually a full kitchen operation.
The Beer Lineup
Atlantucky's beer program reflects the experimental spirit of a nano brewery that refuses to be pinned down to a single style. Their Untappd profile shows 65 different beers brewed since opening, an impressive volume for a relatively young operation. The brewery holds a 3.82 overall rating on the platform with nearly 2,800 total ratings from beer drinkers who have visited the taproom.
Several beers have emerged as standouts. Mile High Pale Ale serves as their flagship, brewed with Warrior, Citra, and Lemondrop hops for a citrus-forward profile. The beer started as one of their garage recipes and has been refined over years of home brewing iterations. The current version represents what the founders envisioned from the beginning, a pale ale that balances drinkability with genuine hop character.
Ale Ale Cool J, their imperial or double IPA, pushes the hop intensity further with an ABV that delivers more punch than the pale ale. ATLKY Mud, an imperial stout, offers something completely different for the IPA-averse, a dark, roasty beer that shows the brewery can operate across the style spectrum.
The rotating lineup includes creative names that reflect the brewery's personality. Habo Manganero brings heat with its pepper-infused profile, while Random Thoughts delivers a West Coast IPA approach with assertive bitterness. Castleberry Pils provides a lighter, more approachable option for drinkers who want something crisp and clean. The Bluff American Lager offers another entry point for those transitioning from mainstream domestic beers into craft.
Pizza and craft beer are the main attractions at Atlantucky's full-service kitchen. Photo: Yelp
Food, Events, and Community
Unlike many taprooms that rely on rotating food trucks or allow outside food, Atlantucky operates a full-service kitchen serving pizzas, paninis, salads, and pasta. The menu includes signature pies like the Aww Naww with red sauce, pepperoni, and smoked pork belly burnt ends, and the Good Day with collard greens, mushrooms, peppers, and fresh basil. The Humdinger lives up to its name with a meat-heavy combination and beer glaze, while the Big Vegan accommodates plant-based diners.
The panini selection includes options like the Country Boyz, the Dixieland Delight, and the No Static, continuing the theme of naming menu items after Nappy Roots songs and references that fans will recognize. This attention to thematic consistency shows up everywhere from the beer names to the food offerings, creating an environment where the hip-hop connection feels authentic rather than forced.
The space functions as more than just a brewery and restaurant. The stage hosts regular live performances, including appearances by Nappy Roots themselves and other artists affiliated with their Not Regular independent label. The brewery has become a venue for community events ranging from reggae nights to book launch parties to vegan food festivals.
Nappy Hour runs Thursdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring food and beer specials that draw in the after-work crowd. The brewery also hosts Rendezvous on the fourth Friday of each month, showcasing R&B, hip-hop, African, Caribbean, and pop music. Reggae Rewind Atlanta takes over the space on first Saturdays, featuring DJs spinning 80s, 90s, and golden era reggae and dancehall.
The art gallery component rounds out the community focus. Local artists can display and sell their work on the brewery walls, creating a rotating exhibition that supports Atlanta's creative community while giving patrons something interesting to look at while they drink.
The taproom provides a casual, welcoming environment that attracts a diverse crowd. Photo: Yelp
What Visitors Are Saying
The ratings across platforms paint a consistent picture of a brewery that has found its audience. On Google Reviews, Atlantucky holds 4.8 out of 5 stars from 162 reviewers. Yelp shows a nearly identical 4.8-star rating from 68 reviews. TripAdvisor gives the brewery 4.7 out of 5 stars, though with a smaller sample size of just 3 reviews.
The praise tends to cluster around several themes. The atmosphere receives regular mention for being welcoming and different from typical brewery experiences. Reviewers note that the hip-hop connection feels genuine rather than gimmicky, and the space accommodates both large groups and intimate gatherings without feeling crowded or empty.
The food earns particular attention, with the pizza receiving consistently positive feedback. One reviewer described the veggie delight as "bomb," while others praise the quality of the paninis and the thoughtful menu that goes beyond standard pub fare. The collard greens on the Good Day pizza represent the kind of Southern-influenced creativity that sets Atlantucky apart from more conventional brewery kitchens.
Service receives generally positive marks, with staff described as knowledgeable about the beer and friendly even during busy periods. The presence of the owners themselves behind the bar adds a personal touch that larger breweries cannot replicate. Having any of the four Nappy Roots members pour your beer and talk about the brewing process creates a memorable experience that keeps visitors coming back.
The criticisms are relatively minor and typical for a young, independent operation. Some reviewers note that parking can require a short walk since the brewery does not have a dedicated lot, though street parking is generally available in the neighborhood. A few mention that food service can run slow during peak times, with one reviewer reporting an hour-long wait for food. Others note that some of the more experimental beers, like the jalapeño kolsch, may be too intense for certain palates.
Visiting Atlantucky Brewing
Atlantucky Brewing sits at 170 Northside Drive Southwest, Suite 96, in Atlanta's Castleberry Hill neighborhood, roughly five minutes from downtown and directly adjacent to the Vine City MARTA station. The location makes it accessible by public transit or car, though those driving should plan for street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
Hours run Wednesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The brewery is closed Monday and Tuesday. The kitchen typically closes at 9 p.m., though these hours can vary seasonally or during special events.
The taproom maintains a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with a dog-friendly outdoor seating area. Board games are available for guests who want to linger, and the two-level space provides different environments depending on whether you want to be near the bar action or settle into a quieter corner upstairs.
For current tap listings, events, and reservations, the brewery maintains an active website at atlantucky.com and posts regular updates on Instagram at @atlantucky. The phone number is (678) 705-2630 for questions about private events, catering, or current beer availability.
Atlantucky Brewing represents what happens when musicians bring the same creative energy they apply to their art into an entirely different business. Fish Scales, Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, and Ron Clutch have created a space where craft beer culture and hip-hop culture coexist without either feeling like an afterthought. Three years after opening in February 2022, the brewery has established itself as a fixture in Castleberry Hill, with the ratings, community partnerships, and loyal following to prove it.
Sources
Eater Atlanta. "Nappy Roots to Perform at the Grand Opening of Their Castleberry Hill Brewery." https://atlanta.eater.com/2022/1/26/22901506/nappy-roots-open-atlantucky-brewing-castleberry-hill-atlanta (Accessed March 2026). Official opening announcement, location details, collaboration history with Monday Night Brewing and Arches Brewing, and Black History Month programming.
Creative Loafing. "ATL BREWS: Atlantucky Brewing is finally open!" https://creativeloafing.com/content-502951-atl-brews-atlantucky-brewing-is-finally (Accessed March 2026). Opening coverage including initial beer lineup, location context, and founder quotes.
The Infatuation. "Atlantucky Brewing." https://www.theinfatuation.com/atlanta/reviews/atlantucky-brewing (Accessed March 2026). Venue description, beer lineup details, and inclusion in "Best Atlanta Breweries" and "Black-Owned Restaurants" directories.
Untappd. "Atlantucky Brewing." https://untappd.com/AtlantuckyBrewing/beer (Accessed March 2026). Beer catalog showing 65 beers, overall brewery rating of 3.82, and 2,779 total ratings.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Atlanta breweries: Atlantucky Brewing celebrates 2nd anniversary." https://www.ajc.com/food-and-dining/atlanta-breweries-atlantucky-brewing-celebrate-2nd-anniversary/OWMZ5GYSPJBVJM2HIXMDCTG55Q/ (Accessed March 2026). Anniversary coverage and pizza menu addition details.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Grammy-nominated Nappy Roots ferments passion for craft beer." https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/grammy-nominated-hip-hop-group-nappy-roots-ferments-passion-for-craft-beer/H8f77yZ1ajKDYVqyUaSfkK/ (Accessed March 2026). Founding story, Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille backgrounds, and "40 Acres & A Brew" TV series information.
Beer Connoisseur. "Nappy Roots Opens Atlantucky Brewery in Georgia." https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/nappy-roots-opens-atlantucky-brewery-georgia (Accessed March 2026). Opening details and collaboration history.
ATLBorn. "Skinny DeVille and Fish Scales: Atlantucky Brewing." https://www.atlborn.com/post/skinny-deville-and-fish-scales-atlantucky-brewing (Accessed March 2026). Local coverage of the brewery opening and community art program.
Postcard. "Atlantucky Brewing." https://www.postcard.inc/places/atlantucky-brewing-atlanta-WE6ThLjJeDv (Accessed March 2026). Aggregated ratings showing Google 4.8 stars (162 reviews) and Yelp 4.8 stars (68 reviews), along with photos and amenities.
TripAdvisor. "Atlantucky Brewery." https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g60898-d24105367-Reviews-Atlantucky_Brewery-Atlanta_Georgia.html (Accessed March 2026). Visitor reviews and ratings showing 4.7/5 stars.