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Although considered a late bloomer in the brewery scene, Greenville has still managed to produce world-renowned craft beers and breweries. With the diverse techniques each brewery uses, the city has created a style and identity of its own.
If you want to grab a drink in the area and are a little skeptical about what to choose, here is a guide for the best breweries in Greenville, South Carolina, you shouldn’t miss!
1. Birds Fly South Ale Project
Birds Fly South, owned by couple Shawn and Lindsay Johnson, didn’t win 20 accolades for nothing. It has been recognized by using old-school methodologies in aging beers, such as the solera system and open fermentation. It also uses a non-temperature controlled warehouse which naturally creates a sponge effect to the beer and barrel woods alike.
Using these techniques, Birds craft new emerging styles of beer, giving them the slogan “progressively old school.” Currently, Birds has a rotating list of 10-18 beers on tap and a wide selection of 45 beers to go.
- Crowd Favorite: The Bluprint IPA. A guava-flavored American IPA with 6.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Brand New Eyes
- Hop-py note: Live music. Food trucks on-site. Dog-friendly. Outdoor seating.
- Fun Fact: The Johnsons, or birds as they call themselves, flew from Florida to Alaska, all the way to the South; hence the name Birds Fly South.
Hours: Open Tue-Thur 4pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon Closed
Address: 1320 Hampton Ave, Greenville, SC 29601
Contact: (864)412-8825 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
Iron Hill served its first beer in Newark, Delaware. Today, it stands unbeatable with twenty-one locations around the US, including in Greenville, South Carolina. And all of its locations feature its signature beers, especially the award-winning Vienna Red Lager.
The reason behind Iron Hill’s success was never a secret; it was to give back to people what it received. Seven years after its opening, the brewery partnered with CureSearch for children’s cancer. Furthermore, Iron Hill annually hosts a beer festival to benefit a youth organization.
- Crowd Favorite: Philly Phavorite IPA. A fruity and piney IPA with 6.7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Pig Iron Porter
- Hop-py note: Offers takeout. Family-friendly. Serves in-house food.
- Fun Fact: In 2008, the Vienna Red Lager won a gold medal in GABF and a silver in the World Beer Cup.
Hours: Open Sun-Tue 11:30am-9pm, Wed & Thur 11:30am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
Address: 741 Haywood Rd, Greenville, SC 29607
Contact: (864)568-7009 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. The Eighth State Brewing Company
If you want fun, then go straight to The Eighth State Brewing. It is a sought-after local brewery in Greenville, serving good beer and scrumptious food. The Eighth State features a fantastic selection of in-house brews and guest beers in its taproom.
What’s more? You also have the option of non-beer beverages such as bourbons, kombuchas, wine, and cocktails. There are also non-alcoholic drinks on the menu, such as seltzers, soda, and root beer. Moreover, besides its in-house food menu, Eight State regularly invites food vendors to take over its taproom and serve delicious meals.
- Crowd Favorite: Widdershins. A fragrant and robust Imperial stout with 14.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Different the Same
- Hop-py note: Vegetarian food options. Sells merchandise. Private lot parking.
- Fun Fact: The Eight State Brewing hired former R Kitchen’s head chef Jonathan Beard to create its taproom menu.
Hours: Open Thur 4pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-7pm, Mon-Wed Closed
Address: 400 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29601
Contact: (864)609-4590 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Brewery 85
Brewery 85 applies traditional German crafting techniques to create out-of-the-box brews with its Southern cultured beers. It also uses the approach to craft an assortment of red wine, white wine, champagne, cider, and soda.
Not only do the drinks make the people patronize Brewery 85, but also its engaging activities. On Sundays, it holds a game day wherein everyone can play cornhole, darts, foosball, and Jenga. During football game screenings in the brewery, it also gives a 10% discount to fans of one of the playing teams.
- Crowd Favorite: Quittin’ Time Helles Bock. A dry mouthfeel bock with 7.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Yeoman’s Brown Ale
- Hop-py note: Trivia and movie nights. Dog and family-friendly.
- Fun Fact: Brewery 85 has an Orchard Event Center, an 8,000 square feet event space that can accommodate 300 people.
Hours: Open Wed-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 12pm-5pm, Mon & Tue Closed
Address: 6 Whitlee Ct, Greenville, SC 29607
Contact: (864)558-0104 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Yee-haw Brewing
Started in Johnson City, Tennessee, Yee-haw has five locations, with Greenville as the only branch outside of Tennessee. The location was nicknamed “innovation lab” since it is often used to test new flavors and recipes of the establishment. Besides beers, the location also serves delicious cocktails and a mouth-watering food menu like a giant pretzel, garden salad, smash burger, and famous hot chicken.
To burn some fat from all the drinking and munching, the establishment offers a boxing class which is all free. Just make sure to drink a little bit, either in its wide taproom or sunny beer garden, for some courtesy.
- Crowd Favorite: Yee-haw Dunkel. Biscuit, cocoa, and caramel-flavored German dark lager with 5.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Yee-haw IPA
- Hop-py note: Movie nights. Family-friendly. Dog-friendly.
- Fun Fact: Yee-haw Greenville opened on August 13, 2018.
Hours: Open Sun & Mon 11am-11pm, Tue & Wed 11am-10pm, Thur & Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm
Address: 307 E McBee Ave. suite c, Greenville, SC 29601
Contact: (864)605-7770 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Southernside Brewing
Since its opening in 2021, Southernside has made it impossible not to be a local and tourist favorite. Wines, bourbons, and cocktails are served in the brewery, along with 12 premium beers on tap. What’s more? You can indulge them with an exquisite food menu in the brewery’s comfortable indoor and massive outdoor space.
To continue being an apple in the eye, Southernside opens its backyard once a month to feature local markets. Anything under the sun can be sold here, like candles, soaps, earrings, and clothing. Moreover, if you’re a fitness enthusiast, Southernside invites local instructors occasionally for a unique yoga session with goats.
- Crowd Favorite: Can’t You See. A hazy New England IPA with 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Chocolate Coconut Porter.
- Hop-py note: Live music. Trivia Nights. Dog-friendly. Hosts non-profit events.
Hours: Open Tue-Thur 4pm-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm, Mon Closed
Address: 25 Delano Dr Unit D, Greenville, SC 29601
Contact: (864)232-2053 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Thomas Creek Brewery
You are not from Greenville if you haven’t heard of Thomas Creek, the first brewery in the city. It was founded in 1998 by father and son owners who are taste-makers and brewmasters. Throughout the years, they have crafted several premium beers. Today, they feature 14 brews on tap and about nine cans in their taproom.
Thomas Creek is also famous for its recreational activities. It conducts an occasional art class called “Paint & Sip,” led by a local artist. And for Tuesdays, it hosts a cornhole league, wherein teams can compete in 4-5 games per night and get a 10% discount for food and beers.
- Crowd Favorite: Trifecta. A citrusy and sweet American IPA with 6.9% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Up the Creek Extreme Ale
- Hop-py note: Live music. Comedy night. Dog-friendly.
- Fun Fact: The brewery started as Henni’s Brewpub in 1994 before operating in 1998 as Thomas Creek.
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun Closed
Address: 2054 Piedmont Hwy, Greenville, SC 29605
Contact: (864)605-1166 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Liability Brewing Company
By definition, liability means being responsible for something, and it is what Liability Brewing has been doing since its foundation in 2017. It coined itself to pursue public benefit by using brewing techniques that reduce energy usage, water consumption, and waste. Moreover, Liability Brewing is also active in reaching out to charities under education, military support, and disadvantaged members of society.
Today, Liability Brewing boasts a laid-back environment where folks can socialize and have a great time. Every visitor can enjoy a variety of beers from its 15 taps, and cans are also available for takeout. Lastly, the brewery is extremely dog-friendly in that they give toys and treats and provide shade for your furry friends.
- Crowd Favorite: Mortal Wombat. Tropical fruit-scented and citrus-flavored American IPA with 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Carl von Cloudwitz
- Hop-py note: Sells merchandise. Gift cards. Guests can bring their own food.
Hours: Open Mon-Thur 12pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-8pm
Address: 109 W Stone Ave suite d, Greenville, SC 29609
Contact: (864)920-1599 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Fireforge Crafted Beer
Established by a couple in 2018, Fireforge sprouted for one of the owners’ beliefs that he could brew better beers than those in the market. With this, they open a small-batch brewery and tasting room, serving 15 refreshing, funky, and flavor-forward beers.
An on-site prep kitchen was also built, creating the best sandwiches, sides, and desserts, which are all inspired by the owners’ favorite food from many travels. Moreover, the brewery designed a cozy taproom and an inviting beer garden to give you the best memories with friends and families.
- Crowd Favorite: John Hopcock. A juicy and hazy New England IPA with 6.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Spirito Santo
- Hop-py note: Live music and DJ. Bingo nights. Pet-friendly.
- Fun Fact: Fireforge holds a “Cru Class,” an alpine wine tasting led by McCarus Beverage.
Hours: Open Mon-Thur 4pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-8pm
Address: 311 E Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601
Contact: (864)300-4809 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Shoeless Brewing Co
Although known as the smallest brewery in the Upstate region of South Carolina, Shoeless isn’t small in terms of its beers. It started as a humble brewery in 2015, but today, it boasts an average of 20 beers on tap daily. Moreover, it has a retail store on the side of the taproom known as Grape and Grains.
What’s also great about Shoeless Brewing is it provides one-on-one classes for anyone who wants to learn to brew. You can even choose what beer you want to brew and get a personal brewing lesson from the owner himself, Ken.
- Crowd Favorite: The Schmitts. A delicious Double Imperial Porter with 7.1% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Dark Matter
- Hop-py note: Free Wi-Fi. Wheelchair accessible. Bike and private lot parking.
Hours: Open Mon-Thur 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun Closed
Address: 104 Mauldin Rd Ste. A, Greenville, SC 29605
Contact: (864)236-5676 | Facebook | Instagram | Website