- States:
- South Carolina
Like its culinary profile, South Carolina’s reputation for small-batch, locally crafted beverages is rising.
Whether you’re thirsty for spirits, beer, wine or a non-alcoholic refresher, this sampling from the state’s "Satisfy Your Thirst" itinerary will delight you with tastings, behind-the-scenes tours and special events.
Spirits
Palmetto Distillery: Tours and tastings are offered in Anderson and Myrtle Beach. Visit the Pendleton outpost for a petting zoo and samples of whiskey or moonshine.
Dark Corner Distillery: This Greenville distillery embraces Appalachian tradition. Sample award-winning moonshine made in a traditional copper pot still or shop for mountain crafts.
Charleston Distilling Co.: Schedule a tour of this Charleston distillery for a hyper-local experience: The Carolina Reaper Pepper-Flavored Vodka, for example, features native corn and fiery peppers.
High Wire Distilling Co.: Relax in the tasting room of this Charleston distillery to sip delightfully complex spirits – maybe whiskey crafted with Carolina Gold rice bran.
Clear, high-proof moonshine is becoming increasingly popular in South Carolina, and the Palmetto Distillery sells its “mountain fire” the old-fashioned way, in canning jars.
Craft Beer
RJ Rockers Brewing Company: Catch a tour, live music and a Son of a Peach American Wheat Ale brewed with South Carolina peaches at this Spartanburg brewery and tap room.
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House: With two Columbia locations, upscale pub food and 20 years’ experience brewing porters, pale ales and more, this is the place for connoisseurs.
Palmetto Brewing Company: Stop by this pioneering Charleston tap room for a classic such as the Charleston Lager, or ask what special releases are brewing.
Holy City Brewing: Linger at this Charleston brewery and tap room for live music and brews (watch for seasonal varieties such as local oyster stout).
Sample artisanal beers – dark to light – in tasting flights while you enjoy the music in the tap room of Spartanburg's RJ Rockers Brewing Company.
Wine
La Belle Amie Vineyard: Most Saturdays at this Little River vineyard, you can sample a variety of private label wines and enjoy a live music festival.
Hyman Vineyards: Shop for blush, red and white wines crafted locally with naturally sweet muscadine grapes at the Pee Dee State Farmers’ Market in Florence.
La Belle Amie Vineyard in Little River features hectares of manicured vines, live music on Saturdays and samples of its private-label wines.
Juices, Teas and More
Southern Pressed Juicery: Grab a cold-pressed juice to go or sit down with a superfood smoothie – maybe the kale-infused Front Porch Swinging – at this Greenville spot.
Blenheim Ginger Ale: Break at South of the Border, a roadside attraction in Hamer, for this local-favorite beverage made with pure sparkling water and spicy ginger.
Charleston Tea Garden: Take a factory or trolley tour of the only large-scale tea garden in the USA on South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island.
Carolina Cider Company: Browse this country store near Beaufort for local goodies including all natural ciders in 21 varieties.
Varieties of teas can be sampled at the Charleston Tea Garden, the USA’s sole large-scale tea garden, on Wadmalaw Island south of Charleston.
Getting There
Getting to South Carolina is easy via direct and connecting flights to several gateway airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
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