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Bubbling quietly among Greenville’s signature boutiques, award-winning eats, and the energetic buzz of daily traffic, is a burgeoning world of taste-makers and Brewmasters. Finding its roots in Southern heritage and twisting its way into modern practice, a craft beer culture is booming in Upstate South Carolina and shows no sign of slowing anytime soon. With a pinch of Appalachian air, a touch of small-town soil, and a healthy dose of ingenuity, Greenville has cultivated a craft brewing style and philosophy all its own—one that breathes fresh, frothy life into this already cool-as-canbe community. In 1994, father-son team Bill and Tom Davis set out to create delicious, handcrafted beers that showcased only the best flavors of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Today, nearly twenty four years later, Thomas Creek Brewery (2054 Piedmont Hwy) is considered the cornerstone of the local craft beer marketplace, having paved the way for Greenville’s long list of pilsner pioneers. They are brewing 20 different beers (think: ales, saisons, IPAs, Mexican-style lagers, and more) at any given time, complete with seasonal and highgravity selections. Their Trifecta IPA is one of Greenville’s top-selling beers, but it’s always worth stopping by their brewery to pick up a growler of something seasonal. All of Greenville’s regional breweries produce an array of beverages that’s as extensive as it is impressive, from crowd-pleasing pale ales to bold sours and hearty stouts. Shaped by a long legacy of small-batch brewing and a variety of influences, both domestic and international, the Upstate is quickly gaining a reputation among craft brewing enthusiasts not only for its innovative spirits but as a friendly, beer-centric community that welcomes newcomers and connoisseurs alike. Looking to start your craft beer crawl? Although we’re sure you’ll find an open bar stool and a warm welcome throughout the city, we’ve narrowed our list to a handful of the very best bottle shops and breweries to give you a sampling of Greenville’s true brew flavors.
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Upstate Craft Beer Co.
BEST IN BREWERIES:
Looking to head straight to the source? We don’t blame you! With a creative collection of live music, signature taps, and the occasional beer garden to boot, it’s no wonder our local breweries are considered a must-see for any visiting craft beer fanatic. Birds Fly South Ale Project:
Craving old-school taste with new-school flair? Birds Fly South relies on a combination of time-tested methods and modern brewing practices, resulting in an ale that neither you nor your mouth will soon forget. Found at
LOCAL COLOR
Whether you’re looking to sample something fresh or you’re simply seeking to add to your own brew IQ, try any one of these (and other) beverages while you’re in town!
Birds Fly South
Hampton Station in a charmingly upscale urban farmhouse, BFS is the perfect spot for a weekend hangout or an after-work unwind. Boasting a healthy, pungent blend of Farmhouse saisons and sours, it’s easy to find a brew with just the right amount of sassiness for your tastebuds. 1320 Hampton Ave. Ext.
Upstate Craft Beer Co.:
At this microbrewery, guests take on the U-Brew challenge. Under the guidance of UCB’s Brewmaster, you’ll select your favorite recipe and get to work using the in-house, state-of-the-art, brewing nano-system. After you’ve perfected your beverage, send it to fermentation and kick back with an already-brewed cold one. A taproom, brew shop, and U-Brew On Premise experience—all under one roof. 400 Augusta St.
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BREWERY 85 QUITTIN’ TIME
A beer built for “the end of the shift, a long weekend on the lake, or a reward at the end of a hike.” It’s a little loud, big-but-easydrinking, Helles Bock.
Brewery 85:
A craft beer oasis steeped in Southern charm, Brewery 85 can be found running along the very interstate from which it takes its name. Set apart from the usual city buzz, this particular piece of Greenville offers traditional Southern flavor with a distinctly German twist. Take your pick from more than 20 beers on tap or grab something to go in one of their popular “crowlers,” an aluminum growler substitute. Food trucks are on hand for almost all regular tap hours and special events, but you can also BYO food. As they like to say at Brewery 85: Prost, y’all! 6 Whitlee Ct.
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Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom
Quest Brewing Co.:
Founded in 2012 with the mission of creating a beer that locals would be proud to claim as their own, Quest Brewery embodies a brazen, bold flavor that will get (and keep) your attention. Taste the fresh mountain air with the earthy, citrus serenade of the Ellida IPA or dive right into the robust richness of the Kaldi Coffee Stout. Quest believes that locally grown malt is a future cash crop for the South, so they support Riverbend Malt House in nearby Asheville, NC. Whether you’re starting out with something seasonal or tasting from the Legendary Series, you can’t go wrong at this small-town staple. 55 Airview Dr.
THOMAS CREEK TRIFECTA IPA
A full-bodied American IPA brewed with Citra hops, noted for its smooth drinkability. Notes of grapefruit and a pleasant sweetness.
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13 Stripes Brewery:
Deriving its name from the colonies upon which our nation was built, it’s easy to see why 13 Stripes believes in the importance of legacy and the power that it has in a community. Set in the blooming center of what was once a textile mill, this eclectic embodiment of the American spirit offers new-school taste with old-school attitude, carefully cultivating every pint it produces. From the open-air atmosphere to the carefully crafted brews on tap, you’ll find pride and a purpose in this beer from your first sip to your last. 250 Mill St., Taylors Mill, Taylors
QUEST BREWERY KALDI COFFEE STOUT
This American double imperial stout is brewed with Greenville-based West End Coffee Co. roasted beans and cacao nibs. Complex yet smooth.
Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom:
Not sure where to start? Check out The Brewery Experience tour for a primer. See page 26.
From the heart of Travelers Rest to the core of downtown Greenville, the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail unites our community in 21 miles of shared experience. In the same spirit, the Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom welcomes all in the hopes of bringing people together around good company and great tastes. From live music shows to Taproom Trivia on Thursdays, Swamp Rabbit fosters a number of frothy favorites while offering the down-toearth atmosphere of a true neighborhood watering hole. 26 S. Main St., Travelers Rest
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BIRDS FLY SOUTH PAPER AIRPLANES
A hoppy saison farmhouse pale ale with aromas of stone fruit, which comes from Nelson Sauvin hops.
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