Mary Macrae {A Lady Who Loves Beer}

A recent graduate from Georgia State University, this Gremlin Growlers intern has goals of lobbying on behalf of the beer community. A local Peachtree City Chapter Rep. for GA Girls Pint Out, she's also an active volunteer within the Georgia craft beer community. 

Meet Mary Macrae: a lady who loves beer. 

Tell us about you. Where are you from? How did you end up in Atlanta? Do you think this is your forever home?   

I’m originally from New York. My dad’s job relocated us when I was still fairly young. I can’t definitively say that Atlanta is where I want to be forever, but I really enjoy exploring the city. Over the past few years I’ve been exposed to some of the state’s most interesting places and gotten the chance to meet some really cool people. If I were to leave now, I would definitely miss it.

When you're not drinking beer, you're...

Currently I am studying Political Science and Real Estate at Georgia State University. (I graduate this summer) This doesn’t leave me much time, but I make the most of my days off by helping Glenn at Gremlin Growlers, volunteering at festivals, going to breweries, #earning my brew, or binge watching Netflix. 

...........................................

...........................................

Tell us about your involvement in Georgia craft beer. Do you have a big picture in mind (i.e. career or goal objectives), or is it just for fun?  

Although I haven’t been involved for very long, I am really excited about the future of craft beer. I currently apprentice at Gremlin Growlers, and I was happy to be able to get involved with Georgia Girls Pint Out from an early stage as a Chapter Representative for Peachtree City. Having a strong female network of craft beer enthusiasts is a reward in itself.  

In short, I am so happy to have organizations like GALS (Georgia Ale & Lager Sirens) and Girls Pint Out. I believe that strong, positive female leaders are important for future generations. Not only do we need more women in science and other fields previously regarded as “male,” we also need more women in beer. Hopefully—due to these and other positive influences—the future of beer is a much more diverse and interesting crew than it has been for the past few decades! 

Favorite spot(s) in Atlanta to grab a brew?   

Gremlin Growlers, obviously! Other than the growler store, I really think breweries are the best places to enjoy their beers. I like going to Red Brick on Wednesdays to try their one-offs. The Porter is a must, and I’m a big fan of brewpubs like Max Lager’s and Wrecking Bar—they’re both amazing.

...........................................

...........................................

New brew loves? Old favorites?

I’m a sour and stout fan. Barrel-aged beers are always awesome too. I think it’s really cool that a lot of local breweries are doing sours—Max Lager’s has a fantastic Berliner Weisse (Air Lift) and Blue Tarp’s Funk Weisse is delicious.

Future goals/plans/dreams, either beer-related or not...

It seems that in areas with more relaxed alcohol laws—like the west coast—the country hasn’t gone to hell and the economy seems to be flourishing. I would really like to get involved with the legal side of beer so that Georgia can share the benefits several other states like California, Washington, Colorado, etc. are currently enjoying (like breweries serving their own growlers, and fewer restrictions on brewpubs). It would have been really special to have Stone Brewing here in Georgia, instead of somewhere else. My dream job would be advocating or lobbying on behalf of craft breweries to policymakers.

If you could have one beer with anywhere and with anyone you like (past or present) who/where would you raise your glass and why?

As a Political Science student, I’d have to choose someone trail-blazing like Sandra Day O’Connor or Ruth Bader Ginsburg (especially in light of recent SCOTUS decisions). The experience and perspective of such powerful women would be priceless.

...........................................

Join us for a new feature on Atlanta women each month throughout 2014. Inquiries, interest, and requests for more information should be sent to heybrewtiful{at}gmail{dot}com.