From Athens via Athens: Creature Comforts Brewing adds Memphis distribution

Athens, Georgia-based craft brewery Creature Comforts Brewing Co. has expanded distribution to Memphis through local partner Athens Distributing.

Beers from Creature Comforts landed on draft in Memphis bars and restaurants, such at the Flying Saucer, Young Avenue Deli, and Hammer & Ale, the week of April 22.

Now, cans of Creature Comforts beers are set to debut in Memphis stores next week, starting Monday, May 20.

Jessica Clarke, craft beer division manager with Athens Distributing, told Memphis Beer Blog that the area is getting five of the brewery’s core beers, as well as seasonal offerings.

The year-round beers include:

• Tropicália IPA, 6.6% ABV: Tropicália is Creature Comforts’ flagship beer and a well-rated juicy American IPA brewed with Citra, Centennial and Galaxy hops.
• Bigger Dreams, 6.8% ABV: Bigger Dreams is a hazy IPA featuring Cashmere, Galaxy, Comet and HBC 638 hops.
• Automatic IPA, 6.0% ABV: Automatic is a more easy-drinking IPA brewed with a mix of Mosaic and Crystal hops.
• Bibo Pilsner, 4.9% ABV: Bibo is a crisp, dry pilsner brewed with Saaz, Sterling and Huell Melon hops. It was named after a parrot that Albert Einstein was given on his 75th birthday.
• Athena Berliner Weisse, 4.5% ABV: Billed as the “champagne of the South,” Athena snagged the bronze medal in the German Sour Ale Category at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival.

Clarke said Athena Berliner Weisse — a sour that doesn’t hit you in your jaw — has been a “shining star” out of the gate.

“I was kind of floored at how many people were like, ‘this is the perfect summer beer,” she said.

Creature Comforts, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, ranked No. 34 on the Brewers Association’s annual list of the top 50 producing craft brewing companies for 2023.

Creature Comforts beer is available now throughout Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, and Creature Comforts just opened a brewery and taproom in Los Angeles in late 2023.

Here are some photos from my visit to Creature Comforts in Athens last November: