The Charleston craft beer scene is thriving with a mix of long-established breweries and newer options.
It’s no surprise that there’s no shortage of breweries in Charleston, SC. It’s the largest city in the state with a population of 136,208.
Checking out those stops in a custom brewery tour is the perfect way to spend time with friends. Rent a party bus or limo, pick your favorite breweries, and start sipping to see what the city has to offer.
Narrowing down the list to just five is a tough job. These five options give you a good place to get started when you create your custom brewery tour.
1. Freehouse Brewery
Situated along the Ashley River, Freehouse Brewery fully embraces the natural. The craft beers reflect the natural setting, and you can sit on the deck that overlooks the river for a relaxing afternoon.
All of the beer served at Freehouse are handmade using organic ingredients, which gives it a unique twist.
Some of the unique beers include:
- Morning Glory Imperial Organic Coffee Stout
- Huila Davila Imperial Colombian Coffee Stout
- Pink Squirt Saison
- Blueberry Peche Sourlina
The stouts use locally roasted coffee as the base.
The taproom is open Tuesday through Saturday, so plan your tour to avoid Sundays and Mondays if Freehouse is on your list. You can buy beer to go if you like what you taste at this stop.
The brewery sometimes hosts food trucks, so you have the option to grab some different culinary options while you’re sipping your artisanal beers.
2. Frothy Beard Brewing Company
The name alone makes this brewer worth a stop during your Charleston beer tour. With over 20 beers on tap, Frothy Beard Brewing Company offers a variety of beer options for your whole group.
This brewery emphasizes creativity in its beer concoctions. You’ll find many unusual ingredients in the beer. Some of the savory ingredients that make an appearance in some of the brews include cilantro, thyme, and cucumber.
They offer tours for a fee, but you’ll need to schedule it at least a day ahead of time. You get a beer sampling as part of the tour.
You can also find fun themed events held here frequently, including Star Wars-themed events. Check the schedule before you go to see what’s on tap.
Zombies are a big influence on the founders of this brewery.
You can even enjoy a slice of pizza from the in-house Zombie Bob’s Pizza to help you soak up some of that alcohol during your brewery tour. The standout sourdough crust includes beer from the brewery.
3. Palmetto Brewing Company
Soak in a bit of Charleston history with a stop at the Palmetto Brewing Company. It was the first brewery in the city after Prohibition ended.
In 2017, the brewery came under new ownership. With it came a new look and an expanded taproom. The taproom is open seven days a week, so you can plan your tour anytime you want.
Palmetto has a stable roster of beers on tap year-round. It also regularly serves up small batch and experimental brews, so you never know what you might get to try when you stop by the taproom.
If you want a guided tour of the brewery, you’ll need a reservation. The cost of the tour includes a beer and a pint glass, so you can have a keepsake from your adventure.
The brewery also has bottled beer available to take home. Or you can get a growler of their draft beers.
4. Revelry Brewing Company & The Hold
Revelry Brewing Company is a three-story building that sits in the heart of a busy food and beverage district.
Revelry gets creative with its beers, many of which have won awards.
The brewery has different levels and areas to fit your style. Hang out in the downstairs bar where you’ll find an old piano.
Or head up to the very popular rooftop bar when the weather’s nice. It’s a beautiful place to catch the sunset with a craft beer in your hand.
You’ll also frequently find music and special events, such as beer festivals, held at this brewery.
This popular Charleston brewery comes with a bonus: The Hold. It’s a sister location to the original, and it’s only a block away from the main facility. It has a tasting room and an outdoor patio area for patrons.
The Hold is a very relaxed location. It’s a sour beer brewery if that’s your preferred type of drink. The beer is barrel-aged.
5. Charles Towne Fermentory
Charles Towne Fermentory is a smaller brewery that serves as a neighborhood hangout. It features garage doors that roll up when the weather is nice and lots of picnic tables for people to gather.
It has a very relaxed vibe, which is part of what makes it such a popular spot.
It also has a good selection of beer to keep everyone happy. The brews focus on traditional ingredients and the fermentation process.
This brewery has an in-house kitchen, which is a departure from other breweries that bring in food trucks. Several different guest chefs take turns creating dishes from the kitchen on a rotating basis.
Charles Towne Fermentory has its taproom open seven days per week. They host regular events throughout the week, including trivia on Wednesdays.
You can get growlers filled with many of their brews, although some smaller batches may be unavailable for grower refills. They also have occasional can releases when you can buy four-packs of their 16-ounce cans.
Explore Breweries in Charleston, SC
Are you ready for your tour of breweries in Charleston, SC? Trying out several different stops gives you a taste of the diversity in Charleston breweries. Plan out your brewery tour ahead of time, but don’t be afraid to stop by other breweries along the way.
Looking for a safe way to get from brewery to brewery? We’ve got you covered with a full fleet of luxury vehicles, from sedans and SUVs to stretch limos and shuttle buses. Get a quote and book your vehicle today.