3005 West Montague Avenue, Suite 110, North Charleston
Charleston Brews Cruise You might begin a Charleston Brews Cruise by hopping on a bus with adventurers that you don’t know, but by the time you’ve completed Brent Horner’s tour of Lowcountry breweries, you’re sure to end it with a new appreciation for the sudsy beverage, and a busload of new friends. When we embarked on a tour taking us to brewpubs from downtown to North Charleston to West Ashley, we had no idea that in addition to enjoying samples of each craft brewery’s unique brews, we’d learn that there’s a lot more to craft beer than simply suds. Horner’s Appalachian State University degrees in recreational tourism and business administration made the Asheville, NC native the perfect candidate to lead groups with interests ranging from kayaking in Hawaii, to hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and fly fishing in North Carolina. The lure of a city with sand, sun, waves, and great local beer led him to follow the craft beer wave to Charleston, where he opened Charleston Brews Cruise. Named third on Trip Advisor’s list of the world’s Top 10 Ale Tours, Charleston Brews Cruise’s options of Day Drinking, Happy Hour, or Walking tours hit all the right notes to make this an experience you won’t want to miss. For more information on booking your tour and raising a glass, call (843) 860-9847, or visit charlestonbrewscruise.com.
Tradesman Brewing The green shipping container hoisted high beside I-26 is a quirky, casual stop on the way to wherever you’re going. With its self-styled industrial décor, it’s as comfortable as hanging out in your neighbor’s garage —that is, if your neighbor is a masterful brewer of craft beers. Once a small, Johns Island operation, demand for their “good, solid beer for good, solid people” made a larger space a necessity. Now loads of free parking and a covered patio (designed to withstand hurricane wind and host special events) allows them to share the beer love with a growing fan base. Seasonal Brews: Cranberry Cream Ale – A mild ale with accents of cranberry and a tart finish. Sweet Potato Pie – Back by popular demand, this brown ale brings home the flavor of a holiday favorite. 1647 King Street Extension, Charleston
intimate tasting room is dark and reminiscent of a hidden speakeasy, and the outdoor patio has a smooth, modern feel. Taking anywhere from 6 months to a year to produce by the process of fermentation, each unique option on the menu has a flavor and story worth exploring. 36 Romney Street, Charleston
Frothy Beard Brewing The fact that they’re open 7 days a week with 15 different Frothy beers on tap would make this brewery a favorite even if it didn’t offer some of the best and most adventurous beers. Savory ingredients like cilantro, cucumber, and thyme often flavor the beers at this family-friendly West Ashley taproom and brewery. Add the atmosphere of a neighborhood hang-out, creative flights, and fun events to the on-site, offthe-chart-good Zombie Bob’s pizza, and you have everything you want rolled into an open, modern, convenient setting. Seasonal Brews: Tides of Galway Irish Red – An amber hued selection with caramel and toffee flavors. Necromancer Woodford Barrel Aged 2018 Stout – Dark, lovely, and sure to warm your heart. 1401 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Charleston
The Hold by Revelry Brewing
Coast Brewing Company
If you’ve never tasted a sour or wild-barrel-aged beer, you’ve come to the right place to expand your palate and bridge the gap between beer and wine. With the feel of a blues-y nightclub right down to its trumpet tap handles, this specialty arm of Revelry Brewing just a block away on Romney Street is the best of all worlds. The small and
As the architects of the first all-organic beer commercially brewed in SC, and one of the first businesses to flourish in the Old Navy Yard area, the husband and wife team of David Merritt and Jaime Tenny have been leaders in the South Carolina brewing scene since its creation in 2007. Now an ever-popular event destination hosting pop-ups, food trucks, workshops, and barbecues,
the brew pub’s reputation for “damn good organic beer” pretty much says it all. 1250 North 2nd Street North Charleston
Holy City Brewing Nothing says Charleston more than the steeples that make it sacred ground. With the skyline as their byline, the founders of Holy City Brewing set out to craft products worthy of the name, and they do not disappoint. An unexpected oasis in an industrial area of town, the outdoor patio is a favorite spot for friends to gather, and the open taproom/brewery set-up offers a look at where the magic is made. The great offerings from the in-house kitchen are a delicious surprise that makes it the perfect place to sit down and savor all the flavor. Seasonal Brews: S’more of the Worlds – A graham cracker and chocolate “party in your mouth” stout. 4155 Dorchester Road, North Charleston
Palmetto Brewing Company No beer historian or enthusiast will want to miss a visit to South Carolina’s first postProhibition brewery. Never resting on its impressive laurels, the elder statesman of the beer renaissance has recently introduced small batch beers to the newly renovated tasting room, confirming that the trend-setting business has its finger on the pulse of the craft beer culture. Increasing their fermentation capacity by 83 percent this year, the possibilities are endless. A climate-controlled collaboration of reclaimed wood, vintage fixtures, and flat screen televisions make Palmetto a perennial favorite watering hole for those with good taste.