William Root House features craft beers brewed with heritage ingredients

Garden at the root houseGarden at Root House -(Photo: Larry Felton Johnson/Cobb County Courier)

The William Root House in Marietta is gearing up to host a unique event that combines the region’s rich history with Georgia’s thriving craft beverage industry. 

“Marietta Roots” is a celebration of Georgia crafted beverages and food.

The event will take place on Friday, September 15, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of artisanal beers, seltzers, sodas, and sparkling waters, handcrafted by renowned local breweries and distilleries, and using ingredients that would have been available in the 19th century, and which are grown in the gardens surrounding the c. 1845 house.

This year’s event boasts an impressive lineup of participants. Red Hare Brewing & Distilling, Glover Park Brewery, Cherry Street Brewing, Cultivation Brewing Co., and Montane Sparkling Water will all showcase their creations at the William Root House. 

The William Root House, named after its original occupants, Hannah and William Root, serves as a museum today, highlighting early settlers of Marietta and their contributions to the community. 

William Root  played a significant role as one of Marietta’s earliest merchants and its first druggist. The house itself is representative  of 19th-century architecture, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

To complement this historical experience, the gardens surrounding the Root House have been meticulously reconstructed to accurately reflect the flora that would have been present during the house’s construction. 

In recognition of their commitment to historical authenticity and showcasing Georgia’s agricultural heritage, the gardens were recently certified as a Georgia Agritourism Site by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

According to the announcement on the City of Marietta website:

“Those wishing to get a taste will have to purchase a ticket, as these hyper-local beverages will only be available during this special event. 

“In addition to local beverages, food samples will be provided from local restaurants including 1885 Grill and JimPa’s Catfish. 

“Live music will round out the evening. Space is limited and it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. 

“Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $40 per person at the door. Attendees will receive four drink tickets and two food tickets. Attendees must be 21 or older to sample alcoholic beverages. IDs will be checked at the door. Food and beverage selections available while supplies last.”  

The William Root House is located at 80 N Marietta Parkway, NW, Marietta, GA 30060.

About the City of Marietta

The City of Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau puts the population of the city at 60,867 which makes it the second largest city in Cobb County by population, smaller only than the newly incorporated City of Mableton.

Here are a few quick facts from the Census Bureau

Marietta city, Georgia
Population, Census, April 1, 202060972
Population, Census, April 1, 201056579
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent6.7%
Persons under 18 years, percent21.8%
Persons 65 years and over, percent13.2%
Female persons, percent49.9%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent53.4%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)32.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)0.6%
Asian alone, percent(a)1.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)0.0%
Two or More Races, percent4.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)15.7%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent46.4%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2016-20202678
Foreign born persons, percent, 2016-202016.6%
Housing
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2016-202044.0%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2016-2020$310,100
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2016-2020$1,856
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2016-2020$526
Median gross rent, 2016-2020$1,145
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2016-202024148
Persons per household, 2016-20202.39
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2016-202077.9%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2016-202023.7%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2016-202095.1%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2016-202086.6%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-202088.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-202044.0%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2016-20206.3%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent20.2%
Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-202067.2%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-202061.2%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)264544
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1584232
Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1129407
Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1976915
Total retail sales per capita, 2012(c)$33,875
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2016-202028.5
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020$59,594
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020$36,112
Persons in poverty, percent14.1%
Businesses
All firms, 201210501
Men-owned firms, 20124934
Women-owned firms, 20124186
Minority-owned firms, 20124286
Nonminority-owned firms, 20125502
Veteran-owned firms, 20121015
Nonveteran-owned firms, 20128663
Geography
Population per square mile, 20102451.4
Land area in square miles, 201023.08