Pawleys Island Brewing Company’s Fraser Blake had a big impact on the area brewing community.
“There are people I’ve met on my journey, people who just leave their mark through mentorship. People you will never have enough time with but you know their character and are grateful for even just a minute of their time,” said Daisy Crater, assistant brewer at Rocker’s Brewing Company in Spartanburg.
Earlier this spring, the Charleston brewing community said goodbye to Blake, who died at 60 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. The craft beer community gathered on Memorial Day at Holy City Brewing Company in North Charleston to celebrate his life. And what a life he had!
Blake and his brothers opened Pawleys Island in 2017, a time when the craft beer industry in Charleston was gaining popularity. They were a critical and integral addition to the craft beer community. Situated between what is now Tideland Brewing Company and Freehouse Brewery, the location was a labor of love between brothers, Dan, Bill and Fraser Blake.
“Fraser was the first to start home brewing,” Dan Blake said. While running an IT business in Atlanta, the three brothers began kicking around the idea of opening a brewery.
“Once the plan was approved by our wives, we began raising capital and Fraser relocated to West Ashley as the boots on the ground for the first three years.”
With Fraser Blake managing operations, the brewery grew quickly and was able to add a patio, kitchen and other amenities. Ted DeLoach, the Blakes’ cousin and affectionately referred to in the community as Uncle Ted, jumped aboard to facilitate brand awareness, work the bar and lead the outside sales movement.
“Fraser and I forged some great memories as we wrangled uni-tanks, built out the space and stained our iconic wood tables and bar. I’ll cherish them forever,” DeLoach said.
But it wouldn’t be long before tragic news of Fraser Blake’s cancer would come and the family business would require all hands on deck. Dan relocated his family to Charleston and began to learn the business from top to bottom. However in April 2020 after a couple years of growth, Pawleys Island, like most breweries, took a bleak turn.
Although the location is now officially closed to the public, the once bustling location housed a 15- barrel system, supported by a 20-barrel mash tun and wapping 40-barrel hot liquid tank. Pawleys Island also once boasted eight 30-barrel fermenting tanks. That’s a heck of a lot of beer to hold!
“Fraser could be very stubborn at times. He refused to throw in the towel and suggested we reach out to the owners of Holy City Brewing,” Dan said. Next thing you know, arrangements were made to move some of the brewing equipment to its new facility in Park Circle and the remaining equipment would be used to increase another brewery’s production.
“Things are going pretty well right now, so we are going to be especially careful about future pivots,” Dan said. Right now, production will remain at Holy City Brewing and you can find their brews at your local craft beer store, at craft beer festivals, and on tap in several bars and restaurants around town.
Fraser Blake made his mark on Charleston and the brewing community, leaving behind love and light on everything he touched.
“He really was someone who believed in me and my potential in this industry. He basically threw kerosine all over my flames and stoked my fire for this business. I would not be where I am today without Fraser Blake and his family,” said Daisy Crater.
“To that end, I’m proud to announce the re-release of one of our favorite seasonals, Bomb Island Berliner. I’m pretty sure that would bring a smile to Fraser’s face,” Dan said.
REMEMBRANCE: If you would like to make a donation to honor Blake, please visit South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center and donate in his name or go to justgiving.com/campaign/FraserBlake. It would be a meaningful way to honor his memory and continue his legacy of giving back to the community.
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