Recent Legislation in South Carolina has opened up the craft beer movement in the state and it is truly alive in Charleston, SC. OK, I know Charleston has great Restaurants and food. They also have 9 breweries and a few great beer bars such as the Bay Street Bier Garten. Beer is the talk of the town and I was able to visit 8 of the 9 breweries. Each of the Breweries were unique, served very good beer and are fun places to visit. Here are a few of my favorite stops:
I enjoyed every brewery I visited in Charleston, time and space prevents me from mentioning each one. I would highly recommend that you visit Charleston. Go for the Sun, the food, the history and definitely go for the beer. The Craft Beer Revolution is turning the city into a beer destination.
- Palmetto Brewery is the first brewery to open in Charleston. They are a few months away from completing their tasting room, however, they have events at the brewery and I was lucky enough to stop by during their Home Front IPA celebration. Six brews were being served, in addition to the IPA you must try their Espresso Porter. This would be a great breakfast beer. Everyone was friendly, the beer was good and I hope to come back after they complete their new tasting room.
- Westbrook Brewery, across the river from Charleston in Mt. Pleasant, yes you have to cross that big, long, very high bridge....but its worth it. I was very fortunate to stop in after their release of the Mexican Cake Imperial Stout. Wow what a nice beer and I was able to score two bottles to take home. They also were serving a One Claw Gose Sour beer that was very good and I do not like sour beers. The White Tai IPA was another great beer. The tasting area is large and everyone is very friendly. One of the beer servers volunteers to work there and brings in some of his beer acquisitions to trade or share. what a great gig...............Hey, wait a minute.... I could do that.
- Holy City Brewery located in the Industrial Area of North Charleston. Large open tasting area in front of the brew works and numerous picnic tables outside. They offered a 4 flight sampler and everyone of their beers are good. I especially enjoyed the Puff Mud Porter and the nitro version will knock your socks off. The beer and atmosphere makes this a must stop.
- Emund's Oast Brewery. This is a fancy, modern new brewery, beer bar and restaurant. The bar is huge with numerous taps. They had 4 house beers to sample. I was really surprised with the Peanut Butter and Jelly beer. untypical of most extreme PB&J beers this was not over powering with Peanut Butter and you could actually taste the grape jelly. The Nameless City Dark Ale was also very good. OK....patrons of Southern Hops Brewery here is some trivia for your next trivia night. How did they come up with the name Edmund's Oast ? Edmund Egan was an English brewery who came to Charleston in 1760 and became known as the "Rebel Brewery" of the American Revolution. Oh I almost forgot the rest of the story. Oast is an old European term for a hop drying kiln. This is worth bonus points on Trivia night in Florence, SC.
I enjoyed every brewery I visited in Charleston, time and space prevents me from mentioning each one. I would highly recommend that you visit Charleston. Go for the Sun, the food, the history and definitely go for the beer. The Craft Beer Revolution is turning the city into a beer destination.