Staycations in Charleston: Brewery and Distillery Tours and Tastings On a Saturday Afternoon

It’s not quite January, but it’s pretty close. So I’m kicking off my Staycation blogposts right now.

This past Saturday, my husband and I checked out Striped Pig Distillery, Freehouse Brewery, and Holy City Brewing for the first time. All three (2 breweries, 1 distillery) are in North Charleston, which has the most breweries and distilleries in the area.

Striped Pig Distillery (off Azalea, behind Duvall Catering), Freehouse Brewing (off Azalea, then off Industrial, on Pringle) and Holy City (off Dorchester, not far from Leeds intersection) are within 20 minutes of each other.The places we visited were a short drive from where we live currently, South of Charleston. Given it was the Saturday before Christmas, getting around was especially easy. 

Striped Pig was a really informative tour. Todd was manning the distillery before they closed for Christmas. He really explained everything about the distilling process (whiskey versus rum versus vodka), and it was fascinating. Then came the samples in their little bar. Striped pig’s liquors have a unique warming effect your mouth might have to adjust to, Todd recommended swishing it around your mouth. If you go, ask them the story about their name.

FUN FACT: Their corn comes from Bowman, SC, home of the UFO Welcome Center and Adult store, the Lion’s Den.

Over at Freehouse, a note on the front door said to circle around back. Once we arrived, this was the view, I wish I got a better shot. But that’s the perfect excuse to go back, isn’t it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy City is off Dorchester Rd. about 5 (10 minutes max) away from Freehouse. We passed some vacant buildings as we drove straight back to their brewery and bar. Their bar and lot feature some gorgeous murals by Patch Whiskey and other local artists. There’s a pool table, lots of picnic tables, and Auto-Banh was on-site that afternoon. Of all the brew spots in the area, it’s my understanding that Holy City designed their space for entertaining from the get-go.

My four beer tastings at Holy City are pictured below. Left to right, they are a pepper Porter, the Collision Stout, the Hail All Pale Ale, and the Slanted Porch Pale Ale.The pork sandwich is from Auto-Banh, a local food truck. My husband split it with me. It was so delicious that next time, we’ll probably get our own. 

The two breweries we did not see last Saturday are Frothy Beard (off Ashley Phosphate, near Cross County) and Coast. I mention them because they are also in North Charleston.

Frothy Beard is new. Coast is one of the older brewers in town. Coast is at Noisette, otherwise known as the old Navy Base. This site is very large and has multiple entrances, but Coast is closest to the Virginia Avenue entrance. They are currently expanding their building. 

If you visit Coast, I hope you get to meet Jaime. The unofficial First Lady of South Carolina Beer, she has done so much to bring our state’s beer laws into the 21st century. She is also Founder and President of our state’s Brewer’s Association. I just don’t think our current beer revolution could be happening without her efforts. I am not sure many newcomers realize that.

NAVIGATION TIPS: The old Navy Base is very close to East Montague and North Charleston’s Downtown/Park Circle area. There are lots of bars and restaurants to enjoy there. If it’s Saturday night, Park Circle Films is probably showing a movie at the South of Broadway Theater Company at 8pm. This isn’t a conventional cinema, PFC shows documentaries, indies, or other second-run or never-run films you can’t see just anywhere. Live theater and acting classes are also hosted in this spot on other evenings.

__________________

There are also several breweries and distilleries Downtown. Palmetto Brewing is the oldest brewer in town, but didn’t have tours for years. Right now, they are working on tours and a restaurant space. For ‘near-future reference’ it’s on Huger (you will see its neon lights from the Bridge).

High Wire Distillery is in the heart of the city on King Street, not far from Charleston Place or the Market.

Southend Brewery is a restaurant downtown that is a couple blocks from the Market that also makes its own beer.

And lastly, for trivia’s sake, Liberty Tap Room is in Mount Pleasant on 17 South, but their beer is made by New South Brewing out of Myrtle Beach.

The links in the above post are Facebook and Twitter pages. Many of these businesses have webpages, too, but Facebook lists the location and tour hours all on one page. Typically Thursday-Saturday are the most popular days for tours and tastings. Cheers!

January, Tourist in Your Own Town

Every January, for about 15 years (1996-2011), the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau had a “Tourist In Your Own Town” program. Residents of the Tri-County area could pay about $50 to get a pass to 28 local plantations, parks, and other attractions. Prior to this program, business at these attractions was dead, even the weather was mild.

Though this program is long gone, I think reminding people about “Staycation” adventures close to their home is a great idea. It was a big part of my motivation for starting the Dining Guide, this blog, and its Twitter account. Expect more posts and more photos here at the blog in 2014.