Spring ushers in great beer-drinking weather. Lucky for Charlestonians, there are plenty of places to grab a cold one and chow down on a meal outside. If you’re craving a local brew and some time in the sun, one of the area’s many breweries is the perfect place for happy hour or weekend plans.
With Charleston’s ever-growing craft brewery scene, including its very own Brewery District on upper Meeting and King streets, there’s no shortage of breweries. Here are just a few places to check out this season.
Brewlab Charleston
Downtown • thebrewlab.net
With 13 different brews on tap and a selection of wine, liquor and food to fill your belly, Brewlab does more than specialize in just “damn good beers.” Check out Brewlab originals like the Purple Power Plum Sour for a sucker punch to the taste buds or a citrus and hopped-packed Double Deuces DIPA with a whopping 8.2% abv.
Charles Towne Fermentory
West Ashley • chsfermentory.com
In the heart of Avondale with an open patio bar, Charles Towne Fermentory offers chill vibes and an array of craft brews. The brewery previously held rotating pop-ups, but as of January, Asian fusion pop-up Bok Choy Boy started a residency in the Fermentory kitchen, offering delicious eats to pair with the Yacht Party Lager or Sungazer IPA.
Commonhouse Aleworks
North Charleston • Commonhousealeworks.com
Enjoy the neighborhood vibes of Park Circle at Commonhouse Aleworks with friends, family and fellow beer-drinkers. Need a bite to eat? Commonhouse offers in-house food, or take a walk around the corner to East Montague Avenue for a selection of other local Park Circle eats — then head back to Commonhouse for another brew.
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Downtown • Edmundsoast.com
Edmund’s Oast is perhaps one of the most recognized breweries in Charleston, anchored next to the former Workshop food hall and current Rancho Lewis restaurant. The brewery hosts regular food pop-ups and collaborates with the frosé experts at The Co-op, which has an outpost location next to the brewery. Edmund’s Oast offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy while sipping cold brews like its famous Bound by Time IPA or Something Cold blonde ale.
Frothy Beard Brewing Company
West Ashley and Summerville • frothybeard.com
Frothy Beard Brewing Company regularly offers refreshing brews from its 20-plus rotating taps. The large space is great for groups of friends, and you can nerd-out on all the pop culture memorabilia displayed throughout the brewery. This family friendly brewery also has outdoor seating and an in-house food menu of burgers, pizza and more.
Holy City Brewing
North Charleston • holycitybrewing.com
Housed in an incredibly large facility, Holy City Brewing has enough space not only to hold its extensive list of rotating brews, like its famous Pluff Mud Porter, but also to host live music and outdoor pop-up markets. Bonus? You can enjoy a beer while admiring the view of Noisette Creek behind the brewery’s outdoor area.
LO-Fi Brewing Company
Downtown • Lofibrewing.com
Head to LO-Fi Brewing’s large facility on Meeting Street Road and taste the popular Mexican Lager or something a little darker like the Chocolate Deluxe American Stout. If you’re lucky, or plan ahead and check the schedule, catch live music at the brewery.
Low Tide Brewing
Johns Island • Lowtidebrewing.com
Enjoy a refreshing IPA with Charleston City Paper’s 2022 Best Bar Staff at Low Tide Brewing. The 2022 Best of Charleston Best Bartender, Zach Kramer may even pour your beer and stay for a chat. Either way, you can enjoy the many beers on tap, including the Isle of Pale Ale or Aloha Beaches.
Munkle Brewing Co.
Downtown • munklebrewing.com
Munkle Brewing is just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown and part of Charleston’s Brewery District, making it the perfect place to sit outside and have a cold beer like the Gully Washer Wit or the Brugge City Brune, named after the brewery’s dog Brugge.
Revelry Brewing
Downtown • Revelrybrewingco.com
What’s better than enjoying a beer on the water? Drinking a cold one on a rooftop overlooking the Charleston peninsula, and Revelry is the place to do so. Sip on the famous Lefty Loosey West Coast IPA from a frosted glass at sunset or the Smooth Like Jazz Eisbock in the cool, evening weather. No matter the time of day, nothing beats the view (or the beer).
For more coverage, visit CharlestonCityPaper.com/HOPS.
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