Walking into the bar, you smell the wonderful scent of beer. The clientele is all happy and everyone is enjoying their pint of beer. The beer I loved was the double IPA. I tried the sampler, which came with 6 different beers. The beers ranged from a light kolsch beer to a porter and to an IPA. The beer is all very good. I didn't think the Kolsch, but I loved the other beers. The bartenders were all nice and helpful with getting my beer. Bathrooms are all unisex and are in the back.

Some places have the ability to lift an entire community. This is one of those places. I won't tell you all about it: contact Avondale and take a brew tour. I have never been on a tour that was so rich with history; it's really quite impressive. After the tour, you will know the history that went down in the building, the story behind each of the brew's monikers, and you will understand the neighborhood's past and future. When I learned I would be traveling to Birmingham, I contacted two breweries to inquire about a brew tour. One gave me a machine-esque automated response. The other reply was from Taylor over at Avondale: prompt, communicative, and attentive. This was just the first of dedicated staff to accommodate me. When I arrived for the tour appointment, I was the only one scheduled, but Ethan still took time to get over to the brewery and show me around. He is really passionate about the history and the brewery, and is a terrific tour guide. The bar itself is cozy and warm, and shares the space with a portion of the brewery. They have a newly renovated banquet area upstairs, and there's also huge outdoor area for events and bands, with another bar to cater to such occasions. They have a great selection of beer. I am partial to porters and stouts, and their Vanillaphant Porter was a nice treat. Thanks to Brock the bartender, I was also able to experience their more rare Brett Saison, which was a tart delight. The locals were also great! Avondale doesn't serve food, but you can order in food. I was hanging out with a group, and one of the women walked over to a place called Saws and bought everyone a feast of yummy BBQ. It was so nice and contributed to my good time and memory. I obviously had a blast, and I may go back to Birmingham, just to visit Avondale again.

Big outside area and really cool bar with attentive workers. Loved it.

Until 2009, beer in Alabama was limited to 6% alcohol by volume. Since then, the legislature has “freed the hops," which has led to some awesome breweries sprouting up in Birmingham. Avondale Brewing Co. is barely two years old, but you can find their brews on taps all over town as well as in their very own taproom, where co-founders/brothers Coby and Hunter Lake serve up their local-themed beers in a legendary building in the up-and-coming Avondale neighborhood.

Great beer! Hunter Lake, one of the owners, created a pizza place next door and it is by far the best pizza in town.