Good afternoon y'all, my dad just moved to Columbia and I am planning to visit him next weekend. I do plan on taking him to Bierkeller (do they have food?). But are there any other good beer bars or breweries I should look out for? Maybe bottle shops too. Thanks!
As I understand it, Bierkeller is a gypsy brewer so not sure where he will be. If at a brewery or Craft and Draft, typically food trucks are around. Beer bars: World of Beer, Flying Saucer, Random Tap and Craft and Draft. All have good selections. Craft and Draft and Random Tap also serve as bottle shops. Bottle shops: Greens Piney Grove (best selection), Morganellis, Greens Assembly, Bottles, Craft and Draft, Random Tap, Vino Garage Breweries: None of our breweries are must try. River Rat has best atmosphere, Conquest probably is a little more adventurous in terms of offerings (sometimes to their detriment), Swamp Cabbage is solid, but nothing special. I haven't tried Twisted Spur brewpub, but I've heard the food is good at least. Hunter Gatherer is great food and pretty good beers.
The upside of not having any can't miss breweries or bars is that you can pick the most convenient neighborhood for your Dad and spend a fun, quiet evening drinking some good beer. Five Points and Craft & Draft; or The Kraken and Rosewood and the breweries; or Pearlz, Flying Saucer et al in the Congaree Vista; The Warmouth, The Whig, and Hunter Gatherer downtown; The Old Mill and Keg Cowboy in Lexington. Don't stress about it.
He wouldn't like anything crazy, he is a PBR guy. Which is why I really thought bierkeller would be ideal since it would be all German styles. But I'll look into the recommendations given here and sort it out. Thank you!
My sister lives in Columbia and I've been there a few times now. River Rat, Conquest, and Hunter Gatherer were all pretty good. Craft and Draft had a decent selection both on tap and in bottles/cans.
We won't have any events on that weekend, but we'd be happy to have you down at our host facility and show you around. Drop me a message here or on our FB page (https://www.facebook.com/bierkellercolumbia/) and we can meet up with you guys. Prost!
