COMMUNITY FUELED

By Lizzy James / Photos courtesy South Main Brewing

CONEE COUNTY’S first craft brewery, South Main Brewing, was created out of what owners Dutch Guest, Brock Toole, and Head Brewer Nic Farley felt was a collective need for a local place of gathering. Since opening its doors in October of 2022, the brewery has taken the city of Watkinsville — and the Georgia craft beer scene — by storm. We recently had the chance to sit down with the owners to learn more about South Main’s delicious craft beer and how they’re living up to their motto: “community fueled.”

How did you get involved in the craft beer industry?

We began in 2019 in a local Rotary club as a group of good friends brewing together. The plan for a brewery grew while trying to navigate the professional and personal changes associated with the pandemic. We noticed a need in the community for a place to get together and enjoy a truly local experience. We brought Nic Farley, our head brewer, in to take