Gate City Brewing: Where Historic Roswell Meets Craft Beer Culture
Nestled in the heart of Historic Roswell at the corner of Canton and Magnolia Streets, Gate City Brewing Company has transformed what were once two humble mechanic shops into a thriving craft beer destination. As Roswell’s first craft brewery, Gate City has become the beating heart of the community—a place where neighbors become friends, where live music fills warm summer evenings, and where the city’s rich history blends seamlessly with its dynamic future.
A Brewery Built on Independent Spirit and Friendship
The story of Gate City Brewing begins with an unlikely friendship forged over a shared passion for homebrewing. Pat Rains and Brian Borngesser met at a Roswell Rotary Club meeting roughly a decade before opening their brewery, bonding over their love of craft beer and commitment to serving their local community. As they brewed together—Pat perfecting his Copperhead Amber in his garage while Brian crafted his 1864 IPA—a vision began to take shape. By 2012, that vision evolved into a business plan, and in 2015, Gate City Brewing Company opened its doors to a city that had long awaited its first craft brewery.
The brewery’s name carries deep significance, paying homage to Atlanta’s historical nickname as the “Gate City of the New South.” In the 1800s, Atlanta earned this moniker as a crucial railroad hub—once known as Terminus—connecting the north, the port of Savannah, and points south and west. The phoenix rising in Gate City’s logo symbolizes the grit, perseverance, and resilient spirit that defines both Atlanta and the greater metro region.
Today, Gate City’s impressive 30-barrel brewhouse produces up to 20 house-brewed beers on draft at any given time. The spacious 3,000-square-foot taproom spans two stories, offering everything from flagship favorites like Copperhead Amber and 1864 IPA to innovative seasonal brews and taproom-exclusive creations that keep regulars coming back to discover something new.
The Artillery Room: A Cocktail Experience with History
Gate City’s expansion into The Artillery Room represents the realization of another dream for owners Rains and Borngesser. This stunning 3,700-square-foot space—once just a vision—now serves as Historic Roswell’s premier craft cocktail destination. The newly renovated venue features upstairs loft seating, an inviting outdoor terrace, and an expansive roll-up garage door that opens onto Canton Street, creating a seamless gateway between the brewery compound and the bustling historic district.
The Artillery Room’s eight house-crafted cocktails are uniquely served on draft, offering a fresh take on mixology that honors the same independent, innovative spirit that drives the brewery. Whether you’re sipping a carefully crafted cocktail or enjoying Gate City’s packaged beers, the space embodies the magnetic, dynamic culture that makes Roswell special.
A Calendar Packed with Community Connection
What truly sets Gate City Brewing apart is its deep commitment to creating spaces for community connection. The brewery has become Roswell’s unofficial living room, hosting an impressive array of events that bring people together around shared interests and common causes.
Weekly Community Traditions:
Every Thursday evening at 6:30 PM, the OTP Running group gathers for their weekly social run down Canton Street and through Roswell Area Park. With options for 1-mile, 2-mile, and 3.5-mile routes, the run welcomes everyone—from casual walkers to serious runners—no signup required. It’s fitness, friendship, and community rolled into one sweaty, satisfying package.
Monthly yoga sessions invite participants to bring their own mats for an hour of all-levels instruction from licensed yoga teachers. After working up a sweat with sun salutations and warrior poses, participants earn a well-deserved drink ticket to enjoy a post-workout beverage.
Tuesday nights bring laughter to the taproom with comedy shows, while Wednesday evenings heat up with the Atlanta cornhole league, where friendly competition meets cold beer. And every weekend, local musicians take the stage, filling the brewery with live music that ranges from acoustic folk to energetic rock, creating the perfect soundtrack for lazy Saturday afternoons and lively Friday nights.
Giving Back Through Gate City Giveback Mondays:
One of the brewery’s most meaningful initiatives happens every Monday night. Gate City Giveback Mondays invite local non-profit organizations to host fundraising events at the brewery, with Gate City donating $1 from every drink sold to the featured organization. It’s a simple but powerful way for the community to rally around worthy causes while enjoying great beer—proof that doing good and having fun aren’t mutually exclusive.
The Festival That Defines Summer in Roswell: Alive in Roswell
If Gate City Brewing is the heart of Historic Roswell, then Alive in Roswell is the city’s summer heartbeat—a monthly celebration that has become one of the metro Atlanta area’s most beloved street festivals. As the presenting sponsor of this marquee event, Gate City has helped transform a simple concept into a cultural phenomenon that draws thousands of visitors to downtown Roswell.
Held every third Thursday from April through October, from 5 PM to 9 PM, Alive in Roswell takes over Historic Canton Street and the Roswell Antique and Interiors Lot, creating a vibrant, two-venue festival that pulses with energy, music, and community spirit. The 2025 season kicks off April 17 and runs through October 16, with each month bringing fresh entertainment and new reasons to celebrate.
What Makes Alive in Roswell Special:
Picture this: the sun begins its descent over Historic Roswell, casting golden light across Canton Street as live bands warm up on multiple stages. The aroma of food truck favorites—from gourmet tacos to barbecue—mingles with the hoppy scent of craft beer. Families stroll down closed streets, children’s laughter mixing with the chatter of neighbors catching up over cold drinks. Local artists display their work, non-profit organizations connect with supporters, and hundreds of vendors showcase everything from handmade jewelry to innovative small business products.
The festival is completely free and welcoming to all, including four-legged friends (as long as they’re leashed and their owners are responsible pet parents). Multiple beverage tents serve Gate City’s craft beer, wine, and sangria throughout both venues, while food trucks line up to satisfy every craving. For those worried about parking, free trolley service connects the festival venues with ample free parking at Roswell City Hall, making the entire experience accessible and stress-free.
What began years ago as a modest effort to bring more foot traffic to Canton Street on Thursday evenings has blossomed into something far greater—a monthly tradition that defines what it means to be part of the Roswell community. It’s where new residents feel welcomed, where longtime locals reconnect with old friends, and where the entire city comes together to celebrate everything that makes Roswell special.
Where the Garage Doors Open to Possibility
During the warmer months, Gate City’s massive roll-up garage doors swing open, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside, between taproom and streetscape. The brewery transforms into an open-air gathering space where Canton Street becomes an extension of the taproom, and the taproom extends Roswell’s historic charm. These moments—when the beer flows, the music plays, and the garage doors frame perfect summer evenings—capture the essence of what makes Gate City Brewing more than just a place to drink beer.
It’s a place where runners cool down after Thursday night miles, where yogis find their zen before finding their buzz, where comedians test new material on friendly crowds, where non-profits raise critical funds, and where thousands gather monthly to experience the magic of Alive in Roswell. It’s where first dates happen, where business deals are sealed with a handshake and a toast, where birthdays are celebrated, and where the simple act of sharing a beer becomes an act of community building.
A Testament to Independent Spirit
In a world of corporate chains and franchise operations, Gate City Brewing Company stands as a testament to what independent, locally-owned businesses can achieve when they’re driven by genuine passion and commitment to community. Pat Rains and Brian Borngesser didn’t just open a brewery—they created a gathering place that honors Roswell’s past while actively shaping its future.
Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado eager to sample their latest IPA, a fitness enthusiast looking for a Thursday night run, a family seeking weekend entertainment, or simply someone who wants to experience the vibrant energy of Alive in Roswell, Gate City Brewing offers something authentic and welcoming. It’s proof that the best breweries aren’t measured solely by the quality of their beer—though Gate City’s brews certainly stand on their own—but by the quality of the community they create around them.
So grab a seat at the bar, order a pint of whatever’s fresh on tap, and settle in. You’re not just visiting a brewery. You’re experiencing the living, breathing heart of Historic Roswell, where every pour tells a story, every event builds connections, and every visit reminds you why independent, community-focused businesses matter.
Gate City Brewing Company
43 Magnolia Street
Roswell, GA 30075
(678) 404-0961
Hours: Monday-Thursday 12 PM-10 PM (11 PM Wed-Thu), Friday-Saturday 12 PM-12 AM, Sunday 12 PM-9 PM
