Patch Tastemaker: Hop City Craft Beer & Wine Founder Kraig Torres

Not many people can put "experienced beer-tasting professional" on their resumé, but Kraig Torres certainly can. His establishment, Hop City Craft Beer & Wine (AKA craft beer heaven), is home to thousands of ales, lagers and wines, making Torres quite the connoisseur when it comes to Atlanta's beer and wine scene.

From being named one of the country’s top 10 retailers by RateBeer to being ranked among the fastest growing businesses in the city, Torres has been making strides in Atlanta's beer industry and beyond since 2009. But that's not all! In 2016, his endeavors drifted into the restaurant world when he opened Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar in Alpharetta.

Although Torres was raised in Colorado and New Jersey, he still considers Atlanta his home, and takes the challenge of owning a business in the "vibrant, diverse and impatient" city head-on.

"Atlanta is that perfect intersection of culture, nature and energy," explains Torres. "We are a young, energetic city that will keep you well-fed and entertained 365 days a year, but [we are] still in touch with nature and green spaces."

While Torres is currently expanding his business into Atlanta hot spots like Peachtree City and the West End, he still finds time to take in all the wonders Atlanta has to offer. From enjoying a food and cocktail throw-down at his favorite restaurant, Gunshow, to walking the scenic trails at Lullwater Park, check out this beer enthusiast's favorite destinations around town.

How long have you lived in Atlanta? My wife, Eileen, and I moved to Atlanta in 1994, so nearly 25 years. I truly think of Atlanta as home — it’s where our kids were born.

What neighborhood do you live in? We’ve lived in Toco Hills for the past 11 years.

What’s your occupation? I normally say "professional drinker," but luckily I have a team of amazing folks to help me with that these days. Officially, I’m the founder and Chief Hophead of Hop City Craft Beer & Wine and Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar.

Describe Atlanta in three words: Vibrant, diverse, impatient.

What’s your favorite overall Atlanta restaurant? I imagine I’m supposed to say Barleygarden, because I own it (and it IS really good), but I need to say Gunshow — what a concept! It’s a food and cocktail throw-down every night. Their team of culinary gunslingers need to bring their ‘A’ game every night or they won’t make the Dim Sum-style cut. I’ve never had more fun eating.

Best sushi: Makimono at Krog Street Market.

Best Italian food: Sotto Sotto

Best dessert: Brusters. You can’t beat a great waffle cone!

Best pizza: Antico — the original location in Westside.

Best spot quick lunch: Krog Street Market. It’s a great selection, it never gets boring, and there’s a great place for a lunch beer.

Best food truck: I’m not really a food truck guy — unless I’m at a music festival, then it’s the Pup Truck.

Best spot for a romantic date: Eileen and I still love Floataway Cafe. We’ve been going there for over 20 years.

Best craft beer or brewery: I drink most of my beer at Hop City, obviously, but I love both Brickstore Pub and The Porter Beer Bar — they have both at times inspired and motivated Hop City to aim higher. Being friends with everyone who brews beer in town, it’s difficult to pick a favorite brewery. I’d end up making someone angry!

Best Sunday brunch: [Sunday is] the only morning all week that I don’t work. I love being able to make breakfast for the family.

Best spot for a business meeting: In my business, probably New Realm Brewing. The food is great, plus you can’t beat the view.

Best cup of coffee (or tea!): I’ve been spoiled by proximity — Octane Coffee.

Best steak: Kevin Rathbun Steak — I’m a huge fan of his restaurants.

Best craft cocktail: Warhorse. It may be the setting, but the cocktails always feel fancier there than next door. Plus the whiskey button in the bathroom...

Favorite shopping venue: I’m the last guy you want to ask. I still wear cargo pants! I guess I’d say Avalon since they have a great beer bar there. That’s where you will find me.

Best gym or fitness studio: I do all my exercising 12 or 16 oz. at a time. I will say I love to run at Sweetwater Creek. Outdoor sounds make the best soundtrack.

Favorite charity event or organization: I love The Giving Kitchen. We raise money for them every year. I brewed beer this year at Sweetwater with Manchester Orchestra (the band), then donated every penny we made from selling it to TGK.

Favorite cultural event: Did I mention DragonCon? I did! I’m a nerd, so any time I can hang out with 80,000 other nerds at one time — most of them in costume — it’s a good weekend.

Favorite cultural institution: Chomp & Stomp Festival & Chili Cookoff. I knew I made it when I was invited to be a judge. I’m heading back for my fourth year this year! This intersection of food, music, and beer presents some of the best people-watching and overall fun in Atlanta. That and Inman Park Festival are must-visits in a crowded slate of Atlanta outdoor activities.

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in Atlanta? We are fortunate in Atlanta to have a ton of great theater and art, but my single favorite is the High Museum. I’m excited to see the new renovation. I love the traveling exhibits, but don’t overlook the permanent collections.

Best historic or iconic Atlanta landmark to see or explore: That’s easy — the Clermont Lounge! Any time an out-of-town guest says they haven’t been, it’s a great excuse to remind myself how lavishly sleazy this place is.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in Atlanta? This is a tough one. I love the corner seat at the Hop City bar at Krog Street Market. It’s great people-watching, plus we always seem to have interesting guests and celebrities. There was a couple of weeks where Owen Wilson would ramble around the market daily. That said, my all-time favorite spot is probably Lullwater Park, by Emory University. It has some great running trails and all the green reminds me why Atlanta is my favorite city.

The best aspect of Atlanta is: Atlanta is that perfect intersection of culture, nature, and energy. We are a young, energetic city that will keep you well-fed and entertained 365 days a year, but still in touch with nature and green spaces (although, perhaps a little less than it used to be). It’s not as stressful and edgy as New York or Chicago, and also not as committed to old ideas or biases. We are a city and a public ready to adapt new ideas. I feel challenged owning a business here — in a good way. It keeps me on my toes.

Image Credit: Kraig Torres