Here Comes Wild Heaven

Don’t put your bottles out until people ask for it.

At least that’s the advice Nick Purdy got when he and long-time friend Eric Johnson were starting Wild Heaven Craft Beers.  Eight months later, with business increasing every month, that advice for the Avondale Estates-based brewery seems to have paid off. 

Wild Heaven celebrated the launch of its first bottled beers with an exclusive launch at on College Avenue in Decatur, followed by a roof top tasting party at Tribute Lofts Skypad in Atlanta. 

The initial shipment of over 1,000 cases was sold out before the launch party, and Purdy said there was a demand for more on the next order. 

Wild Heaven began distributing draft beer in September.  Starting today, beer fans across metro-Atlanta will be able to find Wild Heaven’ offerings available in packs of four 12-oz. bottles at area stores, including Ale Yeah!, Hop City Craft Beer & Wine, all locations of Green’s Discount Beverage Stores, Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits, all intown Whole Foods locations; and northside Total Wine locations.

It’s fitting that Ode to Mercy and Invocation will be the first two brews available.  While many breweries have one signature “flagship ale,” Johnson and Purdy had trouble deciding which beer to feature.  They put it to their friends and colleagues, only to find the verdict was still out.

“Opinion was split about 50-50,” said Johnson, who is the owner of the Trappeze Pub in Athens. 

So they went with both.  Ode to Mercy is a heavy brown ale that goes down smooth, with a pleasant sweetness and a subtle roasted taste.  Invocation is a Belgian-style, lighter-bodied ale, though, at 8.5 percent ABV, it is actually the stronger of the two. Upon sipping, it hits the back of your tongue with a rich, fruity flavor and hangs on with a dry, spicy finish.

Launching the product in bottles is a step that will increase awareness and availability of the Wild Heaven product.

“Draft beer is a little invisible,” said Purdy.  “If you don’t go to the bars where it’s sold, you may never see it.” 

Of seeing Wild Heaven i commercial bottles for the first time, Johnson said, “It’s an amazing, humbling thing." 

Johnson, who has been home brewing for nearly 20 years, is the brew master at Wild Heaven, while Purdy runs the business.

The pair’s enthusiasm is paying off.  Next on tap for Wild Heaven is a Belgian-style quadrupel brew aged in pinot noir barrels.  If everything goes well, the beer could be available on draft by early fall. 

In early 2012, they plan to open a on the Decatur-Avondale Estates border.

“We’re enthusiasts who couldn’t stay on the sideline,” said Purdy.