Brick Store lovers have pined for the release of Mary Jane Mahan’s “Love at the Pub” even longer than they have been anxiously drooling over the fine craft beers aging patiently in the Brick Store’s cold celler.

I first reported Mahan’s book of BSP stories way back in October 2007 – only about a month after the birth of this blog – when Mahan offered her card to a soused DM and his wife at the Decatur Beer Festival.  And though the road to publication proved a bit bumpy, Mahan has finally completed her tribute to the Pub where she once worked.

Released TODAY, “Love at the Pub” includes many a Brick Store memory along with…

• How the Brick Store became rated the #2 beer bar on planet Earth
• What local building used to sit on the site of 125 E Court Square
• How the Georgia beer law fight was won (and who to thank)
• Why the second floor bar makes you swear you’re in Europe

Buy your book on Amazon today and enter your confirmation # on the Love at the Pub website and Mahan promises many extras; the most delectable being a free pint at the Brick Store.

Pick up your copy today and see why tears filled Mayor Floyd’s eyes “with Brick Store pride” when he read it.

From the Love at the Pub website

We first learned about Mary Jane Mahan’s “Love at the Pub” at the 2007 Beer Festival.

The former BSP waitress was compiling a definitive collection of Brick Store stories and was planning on releasing them to the world in one compact, celebratory package (called a “book”)  Note to self:  You know you have a successful pub, when someone writes a book about it.

Though it seems that the collection and writing process took longer than first believed – we’ve heard many updates and rumors over the years – it sounds like the wait is finally over!  Amy writes in and lets us know that the book is finally at the publisher.  I’m still waiting on an official release date (the book’s website says “June 09″), but in the meantime we might as well drink!

Also from Amy…

Public Beer Recital–Show your spirit for American craft brewers by reciting the Declaration of Beer Independence with Pub-goers at The Brick Store Pub, the place that started metro Atlanta’s craft beer wave.

Saturday 16 May 2009 4:30 PM

The Brick Store Pub’s upstairs Belgian Bar

The reading is spearheaded by local author and former BSP waitress Mary Jane Mahan who will read an excerpt from her upcoming book Love at the Pub: Craftsmanship, Conversation, and Community at the Brick Store Pub. This historical account celebrates BSP as a nationally ranked beer bar (Rate Beer #5 bar 2009, Forbes top ten 2008, BeerAdvocate #2 bar 2008) as well as the Pub community

Bring a bottle of beer and head over to Wordsmiths to hear author Mary Jane Mahan discuss her Brick Store Pub book, “Love at the Pub”, tomorrow afternoon (July 12th) at 4pm!

From the Wordsmiths website…

“Mahan will recount stories she’s uncovered in her research and discuss the history of Brick Store Pub in regards to her forthcoming book, and will invite any and all in attendance to bring a bottle of their favorite brew to raise in toast to Brick Store while sharing their own favorite Brick Store stories. Join us for a fun and festive afternoon in celebration of one of Decatur’s favorite and finest establishments, Brick Store Pub, 125 E. Court Square.”

I dare anyone to show up with a bottle of Nattie Ice…

[blue-eyed baby pic courtesy of Love at the Pub]

Photo courtesy of “Love at the Pub”

While sitting on the curb of Decatur square yesterday, stuffing my face with a brat and chips from the Decatur High School Boosters food booth, my wife and I were approached by author and former Brick Store staff, Mary Jane Mahan (shown above), who informed us that she was writing a book about the Brick Store Pub (called “Love at the Pub”) that is going to be released next month.  She gave us each a business card with information and a website and told us that we were both invited to the release party.  The site doesn’t yet specify a specific day of release, but as soon as I find out a date and time, I’ll post them here.

If you have a story to tell about the Brick Store Pub or just love to hang out there, you definitely want to check out the book’s website.  There you can take a general survey about your Brick Store experiences or email the author to share a special story and get on the release party mailing list.

Story hotline & info: 800-867-7250

Email: story@loveatthepub.com