The story of Stump City Brewing begins with two brothers, a shared passion for craft beer, and a dream to bring something meaningful home. Nick Sherman was stationed in Virginia with the Navy and his brother Matt moved nearby to go to school. If you have ever met Matt, you know his enthusiasm for things runs deep – that includes his excitement and commitment to home brewing. Matt’s interest quickly turned from hobby to calling—and soon, the brothers began to imagine what it might look like to turn that passion into something bigger.
“We couldn’t just move back home and do the same old thing and not be part of making our community better,” said Nick. “We knew we couldn’t fix all of the problems, but we figured that we had this skill and this knowledge that we could share. We figured that if everyone lends a little of themselves, the world gets better.”
With that philosophy in mind, the Shermans returned to Fulton County, and started small—really small. They purchased a one-barrel system and began brewing “practice beers,” refining their recipes and processes while dreaming of the day they’d open their doors.
Building from the Ground Up
Finding commercial space proved challenging. “You have to pay so much for rent, then renovation costs,” explained Matt. “And if you’re successful, your landlord often increases the rent. Brewing is stressful, being forward-facing can be tough, and the brewery becomes your life. We’re lucky because it’s in our backyard.”
So that’s exactly what they did. The brothers, along with partners Casey Oare and dad, Jerry Sherman, converted a wooded lot behind their home and—with the help of family, friends, and a supportive community—cleared it themselves. A GoFundMe campaign helped bridge the gap between their budget and reality.
After years of construction, trial, and learning, Stump City Brewing officially opened in January 2017. “We hit a point where we just needed to open the doors,” said Nick. “Ready or not, it was time to brew some beer.” Those first few Saturdays, the brewery sold beer to-go only, pulling in a few hundred dollars. “It was exciting,” he said with a smile.
Growing the Dream
Demand for their beer quickly outpaced the one-barrel system. With help from the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth, the brothers secured financing to upgrade to a five-barrel system. “It was great because we now had a professional size, but it was a whole learning curve,” said Nick. “Things don’t scale perfectly. You have to readjust everything.”
Bit by bit, Stump City upgraded—adding fermenters, a mill, an auger, and new equipment—eventually tripling their brewing capacity. Today, they can and sell their beers locally, distribute kegs to nearby restaurants, and serve a loyal fanbase at their taproom.
A Taproom Built by the Community
The taproom itself has grown organically, piece by piece. “At first, it was standing room only,” recalled Matt. “Then one of our regulars brought in a round table, then another brought a kitchen table, and someone even built more tables for us.” Outdoor seating came next, and recently, the Shermans completed a full renovation that transformed the space. “It’s finally what we’d dreamt of it being in the beginning,” said Nick.
“Our customers have supported us in so many ways over the years,” added Matt. “They’ve been part of every stage—from the GoFundMe to joining our mug club to donating tables. They see us working hard, and they jump in because we all love this place.”
What’s Next
With a strong following and a true community spirit, Stump City continues to evolve. Their popular food truck features creative bites like Nick’s smoked buffalo eggrolls, and new events keep the calendar lively—weekly trivia, community gatherings, and their upcoming Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 11th, featuring prizes, games, homebrew demonstrations, and German fare.
“The new goal is to make this more of a community space,” said Nick. “We want everyone to feel welcome—like it’s the city’s living room.”
Stump City also stays active beyond the taproom, partnering with the Caroga Arts Collective, hosting a weekly mountain biking group, and serving as home base for a local home brewers club.
On Tap Now
Eight years after those first “practice beers,” Stump City Brewing stands as proof that great beer and good community spirit can grow from humble roots. What started as a backyard dream has become a cornerstone of local pride—one pint at a time.
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