Start planning your ultimate South Carolina adventure with a free copy of the 2025 Vacation Guide. Request your free copy, view the guide online or download a PDF version below.
Abundance of Craft Breweries Turns Charleston into the New Beer City
Bob Gillespie
Bob is a former sports writer at Columbia’s The State newspaper. He enjoys golf at South Carolina’s 350-plus courses, and after a round, sampling craft beers from the Palmetto State’s breweries.
The taps at Edmund's Oast in Charleston always get a good workout.
It's no secret that Charleston has a reputation for great cuisine. What you may not know is that it is also a hotspot for great craft brew.
In the last decade, the Holy City has also become South Carolina's "Beer City." With more than two dozen breweries operating in the area, craft beer lovers have more options here than anywhere in the state.
From Downtown to West Ashley to James Island to Johns Island to Mount Pleasant to North Charleston and Summerville, you'll find welcoming taprooms wherever you go. Check out our comprehensive Satisfy Your Thirst listing for full details.
In the meantime, here's a sampling of some of the most popular breweries in Charleston and vicinity:
North Charleston
When you pop a can of Pluff Mud, you’ll get a whiff of great Charleston beer.
Rusty Bull Brewing Co. 3005 W. Montague Avenue, North Charleston (843) 225-8600
A bright, airy interior, with brewing equipment visible from the bar and sitting areas creates an inviting air at Rusty Bull Brewing. Patrons enjoy a rotating lineup of 14 beers as well as a menu of burgers, wings and vegetarian things from the onsite kitchen. A recently added taproom on King Street in Charleston offers the same with some axe-throwing fun thrown in.
On tap: Bearded Tiger (amber ale), Berry Stomp (wheat ale with raspberries, blueberries and blackberries), BellyItcher (blonde ale), Dance Naked (hoppy IPA)
Holy City Brewing 1021 Aragon Avenue (843) 459-2948
One of Charleston's largest breweries, Holy City Brewing has a taproom with a highly diverse taplist, a full in-house food menu and a lineup of live music, attracting a summer crowd in T-shirts and shorts. The brewery creates 65-80 beer styles each year, with at least 10 beers in regular rotation.
On tap: Pluff Mud Porter (porter - American), Washout Wheat (American pale wheat), Sparkly Princess (IPA - sour), Catch Me If You Can (stout)
On a hot summer day, refresh with a pint of Charleston's Frothy Beard beer.
Frothy Beard Brewing Company 1401 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard (843) 872-1075
What began with a 1½-barrel brewhouse and a taproom focus is now one of South Carolina's largest breweries. Frothy Beard is a 10-barrel operation with product available across the state. Housed in a former church, the spacious taproom offers an interesting and varied lineup. Nosh on wings, pizza, salads, sandwiches and more from their onsite kitchen. You'll find the same great lineup at the Summerville location, too.
On tap: Strawberry Blonde Ale (blonde/golden ale), Sip Sip Pass (IPA), Tide of Galway (Irish red ale), Footclan (dark lager)
Charles Towne Fermentory 809 Savannah Highway (854) 213-8646
A a small but comfortable, wood-paneled taproom with a locals/family feel awaits you at Charles Towne Fermentory in Avondale. For your imbibing convenience, there are two more locations: James Island and a garden-style taproom in Charleston. Whichever way you go, you're in for a treat with a great lineup of craft beer, draft cider, and rotating food vendors.
On tap: Yacht Party (American light lager), Wallenius (Berliner-style sour) Italian Pils (dry-hopped pilsner), Camera Shy (hazy rye IPA)
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co. 1505 King Street (843) 718-3224
The stars of a 2.5-mile stretch known as the "Charleston Brewery District" (aka The Neck) are both locations of Edmund's Oast. While the Morrison Drive concept is a "fine-casual" restaurant/taproom combo, the King Street site is a full-on casual taproom with bar, pub food and brewing tanks behind glass. Neither will disappoint.
On tap: Cereal for Dinner (blonde ale), Sour Guava Tangerine (sour), Viridi Rex (double IPA)
Munkle Brewing 1513 Meeting Street (843) 789-3109
Imbibe in a cozy taproom environment with a biergarten-style patio when you drop in at Munkle Brewing. Old World and Belgian influences reign supreme here so expect traditional tastes with a crafty twist. A rotation of local food vendors delivers the grub.
On tap: Gully Washer Wit (wheat ale), Munk Pils (German pilsner) Brugge City Brune (Belgian brown ale)
Westbrook Brewing's Mexican Cake is one of S.C.'s top beers. Photo courtesy Westbrook Brewing.
Two Blokes Brewing 547 Long Point Road, Suite 101, Mount Pleasant (843) 654-4564
There are Engish/Irish pub vibes and a community feel at Two Blokes Brewing. Enjoy 18 craft beers on tap, live music, games and food trucks Wednesday through Sunday. Your dogs and kids are welcome here, too.
On tap: Publican (English-style pub ale), Wicked Throat Chamah (New England IPA), Spilt Milk (milk stout) and Throat Charmer (double IPA)
Westbrook Brewing Company 510 Ridge Road, Mount Pleasant (843) 654-9114
Known for brewing some of the best craft beers around, Westbrook Brewing Company invites you to learn about their processes with free hourly tours. There are 22 rotating beers on tap and a lineup of food trucks and pop-ups to satisfy your thirst and hunger. This is the home of the wildly popular Mexican Cake, an imperial stout aged on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and fresh habanero peppers. It is available annually in May.
On tap: Mexican Cake (imperial stout), White Thai (wheat beer), Root Awakening (sour), One Claw (pale ale - American)
Bob is a former sports writer at Columbia’s The State newspaper. He enjoys golf at South Carolina’s 350-plus courses, and after a round, sampling craft beers from the Palmetto State’s breweries.
