Golf and Beer: Visit Breweries in Hilton Head for the Perfect SC Vacation

Who doesn't love a cold, frosty beer after 18 holes of golf on a warm South Carolina Lowcountry day? Golfers in the Lowcountry can drink South Carolina-produced craft beers after playing one of 20-plus courses.

These breweries produce craft beers on tap for tasting rooms and golf clubhouse grills, for takeaway in 64- and 32-ounce growlers, and in six-packs and 22-ounce "bombers" for groceries and restaurants.

A look at the Hilton Head-Bluffton craft beer scene:

Hilton Head Brewing Co.

Two locations: 7C Greenwood Drive/Reilley's Plaza, Hilton Head;

1 Cardinal Court, Hilton Head; (843) 785-3900

Juan Brantley worked in construction until 2006, when an opportunity became available with Hilton Head Brewing, which had been in business since the 1990s. The 36-year-old Hilton Head native decided to pair his desire to run a restaurant with the booming craft beer market and added a second facility (Cardinal Court) to increase production to 1,500 barrels in 2015, with capacity for 4,000 barrels.

Hilton Head Brewing—which offers 12 varieties of lagers, IPAs, porters and more—began canning beers for local groceries and restaurants in summer 2015. "We've got an aggressive three-year plan," Brantley said. "We want to get to 8,000-9,000 (barrels a year)." Both locations offer full menus of food.

Southern Barrel Brewing

375 Buckwalter Place Boulevard, Bluffton; (843) 837-2337 (BEER)

President Matt Green says Southern Barrel's Pennsylvania-based owner (who has a vacation home on Hilton Head) saw "a unique opportunity" among the 21-45 demographic. The company started big: a 12,000-square-foot facility including a 2,500-square-foot tavern, with a chef hired from a local resort. A restored grain silo out front marks the tavern location.

Production capacity is 20,000 barrels, but the brewery is at 5,000 while testing the market. Varieties include brewmaster Walt Trifari's flagship Helles-style lager, IPAs, stouts, Belgian Witte, plus a seasonal rotation. Plans are to distribute canned beers in grocery stores and restaurants on Hilton Head, in Bluffton and Beaufort, and eventually statewide.