ATLANTA (Tuesday, August 28, 2007) -- Concessions/Paschals, J.V., a partnership between Concessions International, LLC and Paschals Concessions, Inc., opens the first ‘SweetWater DraftHouse & Grill’ at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Concourse B today.  SweetWater Brewing Company, the 47,000 barrel microbrewery in the Southeast, is located near Ansley Park in midtown Atlanta. With SweetWater’s strong ties to Atlanta, the new concept will introduce a unique sense of place and experience to the 85 million annual visitors to the airport.

“Concessions International has experience in identifying and bringing emerging local brands to a national stage within airports to connect traveling passengers with the region they are visiting,” said Anthony Joseph, President of Concessions International, LLC.  “Visitors to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are familiar with the popularity of the local ‘Paschals A Southern Tradition’ concept and will soon be immersed in the SweetWater experience based on the Southeast’s leading craft brewery at the SweetWater DraftHouse & Grill.”  

Other Atlanta connections include utilizing Atlanta designer, Patti Krohngold, who incorporated the essence of SweetWater into all design elements of the concept. She utilized natural wood tones mixed with a few punchy colors to give the space an exciting yet comfortable feel.  Atlanta artist John Dunn created a handmade SweetWater logo that’s positioned behind the bar within a large water feature.

“We are excited about sharing the spirit of SweetWater with even more visitors to the Southeast,” said, Frederick Bensch, SweetWater co-founder. “Working in partnership with Concessions International, we’re able to build on the phenomenal growth of our beer brands as well as deliver it in a non-traditional way.”  

The SweetWater menu will feature the following items: Popcorn Shrimp, Buffalo Wings, Sweet Water Chili, Fresh Salads, The Big Kahuna Fish Sandwich, Crab Cake Sandwich, Portobello Mushroom Sandwich, SweetWater Burger, Veggie Burger, Hot Dogs and “Sweet Stuff”.  The 420 Extra Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Hummer and Blue SweetWater beers will be featured at all times at the full-service bar.  

“By bringing a local brand like SweetWater to the world’s busiest airport, we’re giving visitor’s a chance to step into and experience a unique dining and beverage oasis within the hustle and bustle of the airport,” said John Cugasi, Director of Concessions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  “Also, having another local brand within the airport gives visitors a taste of Atlanta even if they are just connecting to another flight.”

SweetWater DraftHouse & Grill is located on Concourse B of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It replaces the former Magnolia Grill which was also a Concessions International concept.

ABOUT SWEETWATER BREWING COMPANY
SweetWater Brewing Company created its first brew on February 17, 1997.  The brewery was started by two partners Frederick Bensch and Kevin McNerney who met at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  They both worked in other breweries and decided to come together to brew the West Coast Style of Beer here in Atlanta to serve the Southeast.  

This style of beer is more aggressive in nature and has a unique flavor that is derived from increased hops in the products.  Currently SweetWater distributes to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida, and plans to continue expanding its network throughout the Southeast.  

ABOUT CONCESSIONS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Concessions International, LLC is a leading food and beverage concessionaire in airports across the country and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Concessions International currently operates more than seventy concessions in nine airport, including casual dining, quick service, snack, deli and bar concepts. The company is a franchisee of major national brands including Wendy’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Houlihans, Caribou Coffee, Wall Street Deli, and Einstein Bros. Bagels.