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Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
The Palmetto State boasts a host of craft breweries.
When it comes to naming their brew babies, there’s no shortage of creativity among craft brewers. The more whimsy tripping off the tongue, the more fun it is to order up a pint.
But sometimes there’s more to a beer name than mere catchiness. Study the menu at locally owned breweries and brewpubs, and you’ll likely see clues to something interesting and reflective of the region in which you are being served.
Here are 10 such offerings from South Carolina brewers, each beer bearing a name that gives an affectionate nod to its birthplace.
When you pop a can of Pluff Mud, you’ll get a whiff of great Charleston beer courtesy of Holy City Brewing.
Dust Off Brewing Co., Legal Remedy Brewing Co., Rock Hill Brewing Co., Slow Play Brewing Co., Rock Hill Beer: Only in Old Town Porter Brewer description: Toasted walnut and molasses aromas with flavors of toffee and light chocolate, finishing with a light lingering walnut flavor. Regional tie-in: This beer, born of a collaboration among Rock Hill breweries, pays homage to what is known as Old Town Rock Hill, a historic area that encompasses the city’s downtown. Historic homes, revitalized neighborhoods, restored textile mills and a thriving arts community define Old Town, the pride of Rock Hill. This porter embodies both the rusticity and modern touches that now characterize Old Town.
Fireforge Crafted Beer, Greenville Beer: Reedy River Rye, pale ale - American Brewer description: A rounded sweetness and rye finish. Regional tie-in: The Reedy River is Greenville’s most defining feature. Meandering through the heart of its bustling downtown, the picturesque waterway provides a contrast between the city’s lively energy and the quiet, relaxing flow of the river. This pale ale goes down with all the pleasure of gentle rapids with an interesting turn at the finish.
Hilton Head Brewing, Hilton Head Island Beer: Crab Pilsner Brewer description: A golden, straw-colored lager with mellow aromatics and a clean, rich body. The finish is bright and crisp. Regional tie-in: This beer is summer in a mug, which is fitting for an area known for warm-weather whimsy. And, if you’re feeling crabby, Hilton Head Island is a good place to be. Folks dropping crab nets from docks and bridges is a common sight here, not to mention that crab racing is a favorite draw at the annual Hilton Head Seafood Festival in February. Of course, crab-centric restaurants are in abundance, too. The beachy vibes you get from this beer are deliberate. Pack up a cooler, hit the Hilton Head shoreline and plan on crab for dinner.
Holy City Brewing, Charleston Beer: Pluff Mud Porter Brewer description: Presents (and smells) like a classic porter, with subtle chocolate notes and a silky finish. Regional tie-in: Pluff mud is one of those Charleston features that is met with both disdain and fondness. The malodorous mud found in Lowcountry marshes is inhaled with gusto by locals and typically met with wrinkled noses by tourists. While pluff mud is an acquired taste, so to speak, this namesake porter strikes the balance between aggressive and milder flavors, sort of like the sweet, sulfurous fragrance of pluff mud that will greet you when you visit Charleston.
River Rat proudly reflects local heritage in its brews.
New South Brewery, Myrtle Beach Beer: Dirty Myrtle IPA Brewer description: "Hey Y'all Watch This!" The Dirty Myrtle DIPA from New South Brewing is packed ridiculously full of Mosaic, Simcoe and Falconers Flight hops and comes in at a deceiving 8.9% ABV. Regional tie-in: The name says it all. This brew is a no-apologies nod to Myrtle Beach, which is sometimes known as "Dirty Myrtle," a term coined decades ago in reference to a drink once served in the area by an unknown entity. By all accounts, this Dirty Myrtle is a clean winner.
River Rat Brewery, Columbia Beer: Broad River Red Ale Brewer description: Vienna and caramel malts give this mildly sweet red ale the flavor of a toasted biscuit, perfectly balanced with Perle hops. Regional tie-in: The Broad River runs through the capital city, providing all manner of recreational opportunities for paddling, tubing and more. This beer gives the beloved Broad rightful recognition for its place in local outdoorsy enjoyment and was crafted to go great with South Carolina favorites like shrimp and grits. That’s a Palmetto State pairing that can’t be beaten.
RJ Rockers Brewing Company, Spartanburg Beer: Palmetto Trail Pale Ale - American Brewer description: A pale, lightly hopped American pale ale that's dry-hopped with a heavy dose of Citra and Amarillo hops. Regional tie-in: This brewery is showing its “green” colors with this pale ale, named for what will be South Carolina’s only mountains-to-sea trail. Sales benefit the Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s efforts to complete the Palmetto Trail, which will link passages across the state to create a comprehensive pathway from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. Take a hike to experience South Carolina’s stunning natural beauty, and then cool down with this refreshing pale ale.
Smoky, dark and rich, Mexican Cake takes the cake at Westbrook Brewing Company.
Seminar Brewing, Florence Beer: Pecans Gone Wild Brewer description: The cherrywood-smoked malt delivers a subtle, understated smokiness while the pecans add a soft and lingering sweetness to the finish. Regional tie-in: This collaborative effort is a perfect representative for the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Seminar Brewing is a hub of brewsky enjoyment operating in the town of Florence, home to the annual SC Pecan Music and Food Festival. The region also has a storied pecan past as a former major supplier of the South’s favorite nut. Visitors can taste all that history with this beer, one of the culinary pecan offerings you can try when visiting designated businesses (including Seminar) along the SC Pecan Trail that wends through Florence.
Westbrook Brewing Company, Charleston Beer: Matt’s Sweet Potato Casserole Milkshake IPA Brewer description: A hazy milkshake IPA with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, marshmallows, vanilla and milk sugar. Regional tie-in: Sweet potatoes love South Carolina’s sandy soils and South Carolinians love sweet potatoes just as much. This desserty brew concoction not only reflects that ardor, but it encompasses all the flavors that make sweet potato casserole a mealtime staple in these parts. Can’t get your fill? If you love beer and sweet potato casserole, simply belly up to the bar at Westbrook, get yourself a glass of this milkshake IPA and let visions of a fine Southern supper dance through your head.
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
