Chicken-Fried Grammy Winner Zac Brown Is Opening a Distillery in Dahlonega

Zac Brown may prefer cold beer on a Friday night, but the country music star and brown-haired Kevin Gillespie lookalike is getting into the whiskey business. Brown is taking a stake in Dahlonega’s Stillhouse Creek Distillery, which is now known as Z. Brown Distillery. The revamped booze emporium is expected to begin turning out small-batch brandy, bourbon, and gin this fall.

The distillery is the latest venture for Brown’s Southern Ground lifestyle company, which previously operated the Southern Ground Social Club restaurant for four years in Senoia. The company also has a full-service restaurant in the works for Philips Arena, Downtown home of the Atlanta Hawks. Zac Brown’s Social Club, like his previous dining project, will serve traditional southern fare.

As for Z. Brown Distillery, master distiller Jeff Odem plans to use local crops from nearby farms, such as lavender and heirloom corn, to make the spirits. A selection from Brown’s wine label — this guy really does it all — may be used for the brandy. Once the distillery is up and running, tastings and tours will be available for the visiting public.

• Zac Brown’s Social Club Coming to Philips Arena [EATL]
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