Charleston recommendations....

You're at least a pedicab away from interesting...

Local as in msa, you have COAST, Westbrook, Holy City and Palmetto. Bottles of the local stuff will be in CBX, though they can show you regional stuff. Bars dowtown wise, I'd say Closed for Business, Mellow Mushroom (both on King) and to a lesser extent, the Griffon.

 

Check out http://charlestonbeerexchange.com/inventory/ for up to date info and email them anything you would be interested in. I'd especially recommend any COAST bottles (they tend not to last long) and the Westbrook Citrus Ninja Exchange. All 4 local breweries make good beers, though many would be growler only. If you have any thoughts about going to the breweries make sure you check the websites (or http://chsbeer.org/beer) for the schedule. Since breweries in SC aren't allowed to serve beer (only tasters, and only 4 per person per visit) most of the taprooms are only open limited hours during the week.

As far as bars go in that area I'd have to agree with Mr. Kiboko and suggest Closed for Business. Mellow Mushroom is hit or miss for me personally. For non beer drinks I would highly recommend either The Gin Joint or the Bar at Husk. While both do serve beer they also serve some of the best cocktails and bar food I have ever had.

 

I'm not from the area, but I stayed next door to the Griffon (Vendue Inn) last summer and we really enjoyed it - food wasn't bad either. CBX is in walking distance as are most of the tourist sites. I brought home Coast and Westbrook bottles (and Mikkeller because CBX had way more of their stuff than we do).

 

I agree with everything said above. Closed for Business has a great rotating tap list that is never the same for more than a day or so. They also get a good jump on the local beers and more limited release stuff. Try the Pork Slap sandwich and it may change your life.

Mellow has pretty good food and a good beer list.

There's a great bahn mi place on Spring St that just opened up that is new where you are staying. It's called Bon Bahn Mi and is at 162 Spring St (might not be on Google Maps yet).

And school just got back into session so it wouldn't hurt to drive/walk down Calhoun St at around 9:30am or around class change (well worth the trip to CHS).

 

also check out House of Brews. Lots of bottles that you can purchase there or take home to drink. Plus growler fills. there's also a BBQ near folly beach that has a great beer selection on draft. few weeks ago had mexican cake...

 

Do NOT miss Westbrook! Their IPA in cans is great.

 

Also, if you are looking for some vintage stuff, I found some really old stuff at Laura Alberts. I almost bought all their Founders Nemesis 2010 a year ago.

 

Bottles in Mt. P is good for finding out of season stuff too. I was there a few months ago and found some Westbrook Barrel Aged Trippel and COAST Oyster Stout in the coolers in the back. I can't say that that's really a good thing for every beer though (they also had lots of Westbrook IPA at a time when their canning line had been broken for about a month.)

 

If you have time, you NEED to go to Bowen Island Restaurant. It's outside of downtown Charleston, but they have great local seafood and no less than ten locals on tap the last two times I've been. Word of warning, it is VERY laid back. They only serve beer in plastic pint cups. Last time I went I had a huge shrimp plate with several pints of Westbrook Covert Hops, Coast Simcoe Pal and Coast HopArt, all while overlooking the water.

 

Just a heads up on CBX, often times their inventory doesn't include some of their harder to get/fly off the selfs beers (not sure if it's intentional or what but I've definitely noticed it a couple times), so keep your eyes peeled when you are there and you might be in for a nice surprise. Love that place.

 

Beer geek though I am, that sounds like the kind of place where a plastic cup might actually be endearing. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Charleston.

 

The Griffon for taps and atmosphere. Absolutely love the place. Top notch pub grub, too.

 

The best thing about Charleston is the Shrimp and Grits, damn they are good. Also Palmetto was pretty good too, had one with some BBQ off some little place off King St.

 

Charlotte can support them. I know plenty of alcoholics there.

 

I met my wife at the Griffon. I support the reco. Closed for Business is one of the best tap accounts in the state. Without question the best draft selection in Charleston. I also recommend Octobachi. Those kids are total beer geeks and pull in adventurous beers. Their mixed brand of sushi and hibachi is excellent. Cool place.