VALDOSTA — After more than three years, it’s official. 

The Georgia Beer Co. brewery is open.

The company celebrated its grand opening at 109 S. Briggs St. Monday with more than 100 people lined up to try 13 beers on tap.

J. Ryce Martin, director of brewery operations, said the opening was exciting more than anything else. 

Martin said he wasn’t sure what the turnout was going to be but was encouraged by how many people came out Monday afternoon.

“I think Valdosta is going to be generally excited about this place opening,” Martin said.

Hibachi Highway and Big Nick’s were set up outside the brewery providing food for those who attended. After grabbing a beer, participants could sit outside and play a game of cornhole and giant Jenga.

The brewery is located in the 6,900-square-foot, century-old waterworks building downtown.

Caine Green and Devin Roth both bought a beer for the grand opening. The 24- and 25-year-old are already regulars at the establishment and said they are surprised with how well the brewery turned out.

“We’re veterans already,” Roth said. “We came during the cold open.”

“I definitely wanted to come today because it’s official,” Green said. “We had to show them some love.”

Green said she was impressed with the amount of work put into the aesthetics of the building. She said it has an authentic brewery feel.

Roth recently moved back to Valdosta after living in Athens for five years and said he was shocked when he heard there was a brewery opening in Valdosta.

“They really captured the feeling of what was here before,” he said. “They don’t want to throw it away. They didn’t override what was already here.” 

The brewery is open 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday and 12:30-6 p.m. Sunday.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256