Heady Brew of History and Beer
Brent, Chris, and Joel St. Vrain took their passion for making small batch beer and turned it into a unique experience that includes friends, music, and a love of beer at their local brew pub, Green Line Brewery.
![Green Line Brewery](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b25878264a07e84c39aecd6665b57804 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2a24c5ae6340a7cd0d5e274dec787c3d 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=71f86a0d764205f8f8275da8ca7b07c1 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f365970d1196dc460a8fcf73203af8ae 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2bd828f5e1490bd839fa95e7717e7524 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=044c989e1ee6e5743dc0eab6e52289c6 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=49383c1ea122a510623de4fb22f65da2 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ccd5293e1c453c1a034b414d7864c5ec 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_3-brothers.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=4b2ef9cd97e951ed42ad0f3f9e7fa7a2 3000w)
Green Line occupies the former Green Rail Restaurant space, a tiny sliver of real estate carved out from an alley that once ran between two downtown buildings, and the brew pub is a happening place when open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
“We love beer, we love everything about beer; we love the taste, the fragrances, the smells, but most of all we love getting together with people to drink the beer,” Brent says of the venture.
Where better to serve up evenings of drink and song than in this historic building where memories literally speak out from the old walls. How the three men came to buy the space almost seems like fate.The brothers were in downtown Canton one day in 2015 and stopped to look at the front of the building. The owner, who wanted to sell, saw them and literally dragged them inside. Ten days later the three had completed the sale and the narrow space was theirs, Brent, a Canton area resident, recalls.
![Green Line Brewery interior Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15da5bc9b7b6854badd1e7a7521a28f6 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ea8a4e82e4242b1e810ad0fa969a8e12 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3935991b3e78d3883e3fce12c3b9ffca 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=579f9bba094c6a00edb86bc8e5bdf6a9 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=022d720a4c04954fe96be1c05aa64ed6 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d84f625e530db31ce4801e5ddaa92f80 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_inside-bar_2024-02-02-230044_ivnz.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9db9661c06d365f79118098bc9df55dd 1574w)
“We picked Canton to build our house and we love it here. Being a part of the community is important,” Brent explains. “From the mayor to the council to the community, everyone has been super supportive of us.”
In the five years after they bought the building, Green Line perfected three recipes, and the first, Allenbrook Lager, was publicly launched in 2020. Allenbrook is available in area restaurants and liquor stores across the metro region. Some of the restaurants where it can be found include Branchwater, Riverstone Corner Bistro, Union Hill Grill, and Mellow Mushroom.
Their second beer, Shirtless IPA, is set to launch in April. Brent points out the brothers like to keep their business local and that they hired artist Shanna Coulter, a Cherokee High School art teacher who helped paint the mural on Railroad Street, to do the design work for the new beer can.
![Green Line Brewery Allenbrook](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Allenbrook-Lager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8dcb97751d4a5d654ac459c8f9ad44fa 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Allenbrook-Lager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5b20f55be98a05989c25ace4f98bb0b2 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Allenbrook-Lager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ac738d55995ad8c460a6326975140a34 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Allenbrook-Lager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=cdc32a78172d9a3d914c008f8c97fe06 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Allenbrook-Lager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=04597c0448e54270cca656975dc4308f 1200w)
With a commitment to pairing music with beer, Green Line features local musicians on the beer cans. For Allenbrook, Cody Bolden was the featured artist.
Cody is a singer-songwriter based in Canton, who performs in the area at various locations including Green Line. Those who purchase Allenbrook are able to scan the QR code on the can and listen to his music.
For the new release of Shirtless, the can will feature the music of Scott Puckett and Greg Shaddix. Scott, a Canton native, can often be found performing at Green Line. Greg is a great promoter of Green Line and other local venues, Brent said.
![Green Line Brewery artist](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=68b692a5c3e83af732867cfcad3ada5f 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=66d1b82e116a730f1a5b48abef3fd929 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=87687004af9066e96a5967ea00a930f0 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=def1342584a096e429be6b28a59eb694 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ec9183a72c04c83752b8409138f0b896 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=399158d13fd6ac060640d49aded000fc 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Musician.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2852f211ddec1878fc598017e08fdae9 1500w)
The brothers brew up some small batch beer in the downtown brewery, including their Christmas Beer, Holly Hopper, and their fall flavor, Black Pumpkin Spice. They also make a popular cider, Raspberry/Lime, which is a favorite of patrons in the warm weather months. Production for Allenbrook and Shirtless is done at Big Kettle Brewery in Lawrenceville.
The brew pub features a selection of “Build Your Own Tacos,” as well as quesadillas and a taco salad for those who want some food with their beer. Families are welcome, and Brent says children love drawing on the cement wall where customers are urged to leave their mark.
![Green Line Brewery tacos](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_tacos.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=36.62%2028.29&q=80&w=320&s=79742cdd71fc93708f3f302ac58ce6cf 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_tacos.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=36.62%2028.29&q=80&w=540&s=61ae3d0f03b27bb8b48e5e9c5133a9f9 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_tacos.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=36.62%2028.29&q=80&w=768&s=8d8992e99f54043f3ab12b4d4f22ffd4 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_tacos.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=36.62%2028.29&q=80&w=1024&s=fcb3bd869d756549c58373639e7e2609 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_tacos.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=36.62%2028.29&q=80&w=1200&s=32c3726a9768db76f0493a1a9427f605 1200w)
Building Has Rich History
William R. Green Sr. was the original owner of Green Rail Restaurant. Green was an entrepreneur, businessman, rural mail carrier, and state legislator at various times in his career. In 1923, Green bought the B. Frank Coggins Mercantile Store from Coggins and turned it into a barber shop and emporium with such features as hat blocking and a shoe shop. Branchwater now occupies the building.
In 1930, Green sold the store to Georgia Power but rainted the alley that ran down the side of the store. He turned the alley into a narrow space that later became the Green Rail Restaurant, one of the most popular eateries in downtown Canton history.
After the St. Vrains purchased the space for the Green Line Brewery, they were in the building one night sampling and brewing when they noticed a small spot on the left-hand wall where the concrete was worn off. Underneath they could see brick.
![Green Line Brewery wall](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=75ce3b0936c64a62c01cfba1af8d6d1b 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=eb878ef1cf0f97ecbb92c100884313d6 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2649bc3dafcfb14073fd52247f7132f3 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7864890f9c00963de0c045631004822a 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=828bd27bb9db1c33467a9712e8ec39e7 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=85960f3b712dcd67259ecf68a5929186 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_Manager.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5316332df00bfb9dd67df260fa899b5a 1800w)
The three brothers love showing off all the history the building offers, as well as plenty of great beer and music. The three also love their city. “We like being involved in the community,” brother Joel says. “We want to be that person to help out when someone needs something.”
At the top of the wall the message, “Answer Promptly, Phone 73,” is spelled out. Some of the items sold at the store — Hats, Furniture, Milner, Groceries, and Feed Stock — are all faintly visible on the brick wall.
That was not their only discovery as they mined the old building for clues of its past. The basement of the building appeared to have a dirt floor, but as they dug down they discovered it has a slab. Today, the basement serves as a fermentation room for their small batch brews, as well as for storage.
![Green Line Brewery](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15667d46c2df9b3da9a1861d9dc8275b 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f5826666ab9b0461c13540b3cb352f21 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8a13d82d0751aa9bcc74dd88205e9929 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8542a0d2e7213896597208232a4f4ff9 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=24470267fff3bb32e12f86bf52ec5fc9 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e9733051f8ae496de2600c72e4bbc1bd 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/HCM_Spring_Green-Line-Brew_graffitti-wall.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=79bd3c1af117663f2f74bb2e28e9efb6 1800w)
The three brothers love showing off all the history the building offers, as well as plenty of great beer and music. The three also love their city. “We like being involved in the community,” brother Joel says. “We want to be that person to help out when someone needs something.”
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.