Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Miller
Hi Jessica , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Founded in October 2013, Reformation Brewery is a values-based company that believes why you drink is as important as what you drink. Serving communities in Canton, Woodstock, and Smyrna Georgia, our venues are a third space to gather around a good beverage and connect to the good things in life. From home brewing to hometown brewery, we welcome you to our backyard.
Co-founders Spencer Nix (a former pastor) and Nick Downs (an international pilot) met through church, and experienced first hand the community building impact of craft beer. Monthly “Brew Nights” in Nick’s backyard welcomed family, friends, and thirsty strangers to share in the good gift of a well crafted beverage amid good food & music and take part in the home brewing process and results. Shared stories, authentic laughs, and real conversation inspired the pair to take the leap from home brew to hometown brewery. Supported by a win from the Peach State Brew Off with their flagship beer, a Belgian Style Dubbel named Cadence, investors made the vision a reality and in 2013 Reformation Brewery became official with it’s first venue in Woodstock, Georgia.
Now serving both Cherokee and Cobb County, our “why” still guides our day-to-day decision making: valuing acceptance, authenticity, story, moderation, humility, & humor.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While Reformation has been blessed to serve three beautiful Georgia communities, the last decade has not been without its challenges.
Thanks in large part to consumer advocates and the work of the Georgia Craft Brewer’s Guild, in 2017 changes to legislation in the state of Georgia helped transform taproom sales for Georgia breweries. These changes allowed the first ever direct to consumer sales from brewery taprooms, allowing customers to purchase a single pint, small pours, and beer to-go up to 1 case per person, per day. The transformative nature of this change generated improved revenue and jobs in our industry state wide, and helped facilitate a shift toward a sustainable on-premise business model for small craft breweries in the state of Georgia, making taproom expansion for Reformation a reality. Prior to this change, breweries were prohibited from any direct sales and were instead permitted to offer limited free samples & guided tours along with the purchase of a souvenir glass. The Georgia Craft Brewers Guild continues to push for fair and free market changes to legislation in the face of outdated rules and regulations – including lifting the to-go beer limit, and allowing limited, regional delivery (both of which are still prohibited in 2024).
In 2020, the impact of Covid 19 created additional struggles as we reduced our day-to-day operations to a single venue (Woodstock) and pivoted sales to socially distanced outdoor consumption within the city limits, and limited to-go beer sales for curbside pickup. During this time, like many other service based businesses in our community, we sustained our business and our hopes to reopen responsibly with hopes & prayers. As eased restrictions allowed for responsible socially-distanced outdoor gatherings, business conditions improved. Reformation was blessed to be well situated outdoor spaces, and with the generous support from our customers – many of whom we consider family and friends – we reopened all venues as time and conditions allowed, holding to state and national guidelines for safety and social distancing.
Today, we owe our success not only to the dedicated staff who serve with hard work and heart, but also to the deep love from our community partners and nimble leadership that has a long view of sustainable service.
We’ve been impressed with Reformation Brewery, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Reformation Brewery views our venues as a third space – a gathering place for celebrating moments together and crafting memorable experiences. Wether you’re raising a glass to another year around the sun, cheering on life’s accomplishments, or honoring the life of someone lost – it’s shared moments that give us our “why” behind everything we do to serve our community.
Proudly serving some of the best craft beer in the state, we also offer house made, hand-crafted cocktails, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and locally roasted coffee. With nearby food options and a continual lineup of special events, live music, and community focused, family & dog friendly spaces – there’s something for everyone who wants to savor the good things in life.
In addition to our many free, all ages experiences from Reformation, we also offer private events for those moments when reserved space & special arrangements are called for. Start the conversation with our Private Events Coordinator at https://reformationbrewery.com/reservations.
What does success mean to you?
Success to us is in service to our community. It’s not about us.
Building great memories and a sense of feeling more connected to each other are our top markers of success. Our biggest reward is being a small part of you living your best life, with Reformation in hand. Great service and quality beverages are an important piece of that success, but so is cultivating connected communities who love and support one another. It’s our greatest privilege to see you celebrate your moment at our venues and make memories together.
We’re also proud to support causes that make a difference in the communities we serve, with an emphasis on impacting the greater community, and listening to and serving others well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reformationbrewery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformationbrewery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reformationbrewery/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ReformationBrew
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformationBrewery
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@reformationbrewery
Image Credits
Lindsay Ann Photography, Jessica Miller
