There’s an adage that says it was a wise person who invented beer. If that’s the case, there’s a whole lot of wisdom fueling South Carolina’s beer industry. More than 100,000 barrels are produced annually by the state’s many talented brewers, whose creativity, adventurous palates and expertise are expressed through each pour. On the receiving end of their craft is the beer-loving public, running the gamut from casual drinkers to serious aficionados.
While the number of fine South Carolina brews is constantly growing, there are some that not only snag the attention of beer drinkers but make loyal fans of them. Here is a small sampling of the many notable brews produced across the Palmetto State, each favored by legions of beer lovers to earn a place in local brew culture.
Brew: Boy King Double IPA
Brewer: COAST Brewing Company, North Charleston
Type: American Imperial IPA
Flavor profile: Highly hopped but balanced, tropical undertones
Brew: Citrocity
Brewer: Seminar Brewing, Florence
Type: American IPA
Flavor profile: Hops, Citra-forward, malt, mango, papaya, passion fruit
Brew: Kaldi Imperial Coffee Stout
Brewery: Quest Brewing Company, Greenville
Type: American Imperial Stout
Flavor profile: Coffee-forward, malt, caramel, chocolate
Brew: Mexican Cake, Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged
Brewer: Westbrook Brewing Company, Mount Pleasant
Type: American Imperial Stout
Flavor profile: Cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, hot peppers, bourbon, wood, maple
Brew: Paper Airplanes
Brewer: Birds Fly South Ale Project
Type: American Wild Ale
Flavor profile: Tart, lightly fruity, funky
Brew: Sungazer
Brewer: Charles Towne Fermentory, Charleston
Type: New England-style IPA
Flavor profile: Notes of tropical fruit and citrus; dry, soft, unfiltered
Brew: Viridi Rex
Brewer: Edmund's Oast Brewing Company, Charleston
Type: American Imperial IPA
Flavor profile: Potent notes of mango, papaya, orange
Brew: Yeast Wrangler
Brewer: Holy City Brewing, North Charleston
Type: American Imperial IPA
Flavor profile: Hoppy, malty, citrusy with a bitter/sweet finish
