Once a venue reserved for adults, craft breweries across South Carolina are now welcoming beer-drinking parents along with their kids.
These days brew houses are more like “a community center with alcohol … (for families) who just want to have fun,” says Mike Tourville, owner of Columbia's River Rat Brewery.
With families making up approximately half its customers, River Rat has embraced the successful business model, joining other breweries across the state in creating an inviting environment for young patrons.
Drew Walker, who has served as River Rat's brewmaster since it opened in 2013, says there was never a conscious decision to make the location family-friendly.
“It was just sort of organic,” he says. “We wanted a place where people want to hang out, so we put in the outdoor yard. We wanted families to come and bring their kids, so we added the playhouses and toys.”
Looking for a spot to sip a local craft beer while your youngsters have fun? Check out these kid-loving breweries.
GREENVILLE
Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom
Located on Main Street in Travelers Rest, the brewery has outdoor spaces and is a stone’s throw from the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a family-oriented cycling path that runs all the way into downtown Greenville. Kids are always welcome inside the brewery, too.
Yee Haw Brewing Co.
Established in Johnson City, TN in 2015, this brewery prides itself on creating its own unique riffs on traditional beer styles. Dog and kid friendly, Yee Haw is a great spot to enjoy both great tasting beers and fun environment!
Fireforge Brewery
Housed in a former tire warehouse in downtown Greenville, this hip spot offers vintage sofas, handcrafted tables and a biergarten. With 15 house-brewed beers, wines, meads and regionally made ciders, this is a place not to miss.
SPARTANBURG
Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery
The brewery and cidery’s bright, well-lit and large indoor area has TVs, food and benches, plus cornhole and other games for kids and young-at-heart adults. Besides their own brews, Ciclops sells plenty of other craft beers.
RJ Rockers Brewing
The large indoor facility features games—such as cornhole and foosball—and plenty of room for kids to romp. Live music is offered occasionally. The Silo at RJ Rockers is next door with additional dining options for families.
COLUMBIA
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House at Curtiss-Wright Hanger
The non-beer menu includes kid-popular pizzas, big pretzels with cheese dipping sauce and more. There are grassy areas outside, plus a second-floor observation deck where families can watch airplanes land and take off at Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.
Steel Hands Brewing
Located in nearby Cayce, Steel Hands is a local favorite with a great menu, a large taplist and a large outside seating area with lots of spaces for games and entertainment.
ROCK HILL
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
Fritz and Catherine Gusmer, owners of Windy Hill, grew up making cider with a wooden press given to them by their mother, so they are well-attuned to the younger set. A big draw for kids here is the signature hot apple cider doughnuts available fresh in-season.
FLORENCE
Southern Hops Brewing
A big grassy area is an inviting destination where kids can kick soccer balls, throw footballs or spin hula hoops, all provided in a large outdoor toy box. Also on hand are corn hole and Giant Jenga. A kids’ menu (with coloring pages) features grilled cheese, chicken nuggets and pizza. On Tuesdays, kids eat free with paying adults.
Seminar Brewing
This brewery checks off all the family- and kid-friendly boxes and a few extras, including arcade games, Skee-Ball, Giant Jenga, shuffleboard and cornhole. The kids’ menu offers fountain soft drinks in warmer months. Kids and pets are welcome to play in the outdoor beer garden.
CHARLESTON
Two Blokes Brewing
Kids feel right at home at the Half Pint Kids' Table, stocked with a variety of games, books and a chalkboard. You'll also find Giant Jenga, enjoyed by both adults and kids, and English-style darts (mostly for adults).
Holy City Brewing
The indoor-outdoor taproom has shaded picnic tables where parents can sit, sip and watch their children play basketball or kickball. On weekends during summer months, there’s live music for the whole family.
Rusty Bull Brewing
This North Charleston brewery has hosted several kid-specific events like the eclipse-themed painting class (Paints and Pints) that took place in advance of the 2017 solar eclipse. Unlike some taprooms, Rusty Bull is well-lighted with comfortable seating for families.
HILTON HEAD
Shellring Ale Works
Located in Port Royal, Beaufort and right off the 11th Street docks, Shellring is the perfect water-front setting for authentic connections and unforgettable memories to be shared by all ages. Plus, the grilled cheese and hot dogs are always a favorite among kiddos.
