Fall Line brines and dines local pickle fanatics

When I moved to Macon from Orlando, one of the questions I heard over and over again from my friends back home was, “So…what is there even to do in Macon?” I’d laugh and tell them there was always some kind of festival happening. They’d roll their eyes and ask, “Like what?” That’s usually when I’d smile and say, “Oh honey…we’ve got a festival that celebrates pickles. Hold my beer and watch this.” The look on their faces is priceless every single time.

Only in Macon could an entire weekend dedicated to pickles become one of the most anticipated events of the summer. Last weekend, Fall Line Brewing Company hosted the Fall Line Pickle Festival, a celebration that somehow managed to be quirky, delicious and surprisingly family friendly all at the same time. What began in 2023 as a way to celebrate Fall Line’s wildly popular “Bit of a Pickle” sour beer has grown into a community event that draws pickle lovers, craft beer enthusiasts and plenty of curious first-timers who simply want to see what all the fuss is about.

Located inside a beautifully restored two-story horse and mule sales building dating back to 1918, Fall Line Brewing has become one of downtown Macon’s favorite gathering places. It’s hard to imagine that a building once filled with horses and mules is now filled with craft beer, pickle cocktails and laughter, but that’s part of what makes Macon’s historic buildings so special. They continue finding new life while preserving a little piece of the city’s past. 

Since opening, Fall Line has earned a reputation for producing creative craft beers while creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. They’re never afraid to experiment with new flavors, and perhaps no beer has become more famous than “Bit of a Pickle,” the refreshing pickle sour that inspired this entire festival. If you’ve never tried a pickle beer before, don’t worry… you’re definitely not alone. I haven’t either, but I have to admit, my curiosity is getting the better of me.

“Pickles are bringing everyone together,” said Caroline Moreira of Fall Line Brewing, and honestly, that pretty much sums up the entire weekend. The goal was always to create an event accessible to everyone, including families.

Of course, beer lovers had plenty to sample. This year’s beer flight includes four pickle-inspired creations, including the return of the original Bit of a Pickle, a Spicy Garlic Pickle beer for those who enjoy a little extra kick, a Pickle Shandy and the festival’s most talked-about newcomer, Pickle Dr. Pepper. Yes, you read that correctly. Pickle… and Dr Pepper. Fall Line’s new full-service bar offered guests pickle-themed cocktails including Dead Turtle Martinis, Pickle Margaritas and Vodka Pickle Lemonades. 

There were also pickle snack flights featuring everything from sweet to sour varieties. Throw in pickle sandwiches, pickle spears, pickle chips and even pickle popsicles, and suddenly you realize these folks have figured out more ways to serve a pickle than ever thought possible.

Sparks Yoga hosted Pickle Yoga where participants received a giant dill pickle. Even better, instructor Karley taught the class dressed in a pickle costume. After yoga, guests cooled off with free indoor pickleball.

Moreira said one of the best parts of the festival is seeing how the community embraces it. She encouraged guests to wear their favorite shade of green and, “Pickle it up.” It’s become one of those uniquely Macon traditions that simply makes people smile. Sure, other cities may have music festivals or seafood festivals, but how many can honestly say they dedicate an entire weekend to celebrating pickles?

Speaking of pickles, they’ve actually been around much longer than most people realize. Historians believe cucumbers were first pickled more than 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia as a way to preserve food before refrigeration existed. Cleopatra was reportedly a fan, believing pickles contributed to her beauty, while Julius Caesar supposedly fed them to his soldiers because they were thought to promote strength. 

Today, fermented pickles can provide beneficial probiotics for gut health. Cucumbers are naturally low in calories and rich in antioxidants, and pickle juice has even become popular with athletes who swear it helps with muscle cramps. Who knew that little green cucumber had such an impressive résumé?

So, the next time one of my Orlando friends asks what there is to do in Macon, I already know exactly what I’m going to tell them. We’ve got music festivals. We’ve got food festivals. We’ve got cherry blossoms. And yes, we’ve got an entire weekend dedicated to pickles. 

It may sound a little strange to outsiders, but that’s part of this city’s charm. Macon has a wonderful way of turning the ordinary into something memorable, and if celebrating pickles brings people together for a weekend of laughter, great food and good company, I’d say that’s just one more reason why I have fallen in love with Macon… and I’d say that’s kind of a big dill. Until next time Macon, let’s eat (and crunch on some pickles!) 

Billy Hennessey is the food columnist for The Melody. Write him an email at newlifenkiss@gmail.com.