Good Beers to pick up on SC/NC

I assume you are going I-95 to I-26 up to Columbia?? IF IT WAS ME, I would go east on I-26 (away from Columbia) for 30 or so miles and hit Westbrook in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., they make some amazing brews. I know the next time I head to Florida there will be a rest stop there for me. Look for the idiot in the Bonnie Blue flag/cape (my icon) @ the Sexual Chocolate release, that moron will be me. Cheers future friend, Gary

 

I second the Westbrook recommendation. I visited the brewery last year, having never heard of it, and was blown away by the quality of their beer.

 

Gene----Some NC Brews to consider:
Foothills - Obviously
Olde Hickory - Pretty much can't go wrong with much of anything they're making at present time. Some good experimentation brews which could still be around when you're here? I.E. The Bean or Redeemer.
Duck Rabbit - Hopefully rabid duck will be here soon.
Pisgah - You'll only be able to get growlers from them. But worth it IMO.
Mother Earth
Liberty - These guys don't get enough love. You'll only be able to get growlers at the pub/restaurant in High Point.
FullSteam - might be difficult to get bombers here but you never know. growlers are around however.
Big Boss

 

So sad, but true. Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery is rarely mentioned (even by me) as a great NC Brewery, but Todd brews up some outstanding beers.

 

Great food to boot. Hands down the best when it comes to good beer and good food.

 

Agree 100% Cheers

 

ok let's rendezvous there so you can buy me a beer.

 

95 to Charleston is a good hour. A more sensible route would be getting off 95 at 17, into CHS for COAST, Westbrook, CBX, then up 26 back to 95. Plus, 17 is a beautiful drive when they're not doing construction (or until you hit West Ashley).

 

Sounds like a plan. Only downside is that I work 3rd shift, it would have to be Friday, Saturday, or early Sunday. Lemme no, Gary

 

Most of the places have been hit but in SC there's a Liberty Steak House at Broadway At The Beach in Myrtle Beach as well. IMO the beer at the High Point House is better. I really endorse Olde Hickory, everything they make is outstanding. Foothills is one of m favorite places to grab a beer and they're expanding their bottled offerings, make sure to grab a BA Peoples Porter, outstanding for a 6 buck BA offering.

 

Agreed. I love that drive.

 

It doesn't look like anyone has mentioned much about Columbia so far. Really its not the greatest place for craft beer to stop by on a random night but there are some good spots. I'm not sure if there will be any events going on when you're here but if I do hear about something Ill let you know.

Anyhow, if you're staying the night here I'd go to the Piney Grove Greens when you first get to Columbia. They have a really great selection of beers and you should be able to find anything there that is available in SC with the exception of DFH and all the random tiny european brewery beers that the Beer Exchanges have. After stopping there head back downtown and if you are feeling adventurous stop by the Greens on Assembly street. They're selection isn't as good and it will be packed with college students but sometimes you can find some limited things sitting on the shelf there that got gobbled up in a day at the other Greens(they still had Bolt Cutter on the shelf last week for example). Finally go back to your hotel and take advantage of their parking. From their I'd walk to World of Beer(parking downtown can be a paint at night). Easily the best selection and my personal favorite place to drink at in Columbia. You can also bring your own food here or order food from one of the surrounding restaurants and have it delivered to you. They should have enough beers to keep you interested for the night, some are a bit pricy but they have seemed to make an effort to have some more affordable options as of late.

 

Definitely will be able to add some points. Also the two managers(Tyler and Dan) moved from Florida to Columbia to open the store so I'm sure they'd love to talk to a fellow Floridian.

 

Definitely check out some of the Westbrook and COAST offerings...can't go wrong

 

You'll be in Columbia the night before World Beer Festival, and I know World of Beer will be putting some really good kegs on.

I was at WOB in Columbia last night and had a Green Flash Cedar Plank Pale ale pint for $3.75. score.