BY ALYSSA BOTTS



David Merritt began brewing beer in 1996 after he received a home-brew kit for Christmas. Hoping to make a career out of it, Merritt went to work for Palmetto Brewing Company, and he was eventually opened his own business, COAST Brewing Company. It’s one of six breweries within a mere 15 miles of Charleston proper. Rather than compete for attention, though, they build on each other’s strengths. “We’re better together than we are apart,” says Merritt. Here’s what some of the breweries bring to the brew community.

 

History. Palmetto Brewery is the oldest production microbrewery in South Carolina. It was the first to operate in the state following prohibition. Handcrafted in small batches, Palmetto offers unique flavors such as Espresso Porter, Watermelon Wheat, Chocolate Bock and Aftershock and Gingersnap, as well as crowd favorites like its Amber, Pale and Charleston Lager. The brewery offers free public tours on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. 289 Huger St., (843) 937-0903

Sustainability. Family-owned COAST Brewing Company, the smallest microbrewery in South Carolina, comes with a twist—Merritt and his crew believe in energy efficiency and organic, local ingredients as an alternate means to brew their beer. The brewhouse is located in a sustainable community, running on waste feedstock biodiesel from a processing plant 300 yards away. Styles change with the seasons, so expect the unexpected. Grab your friends and visit the microbrewery on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. or Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1250 2nd St., North Charleston, (843) 343-4727

Cycling culture. Holy City Brewing Company was the brainchild of pedicab and rickshaw shop owners Joel Carl and Sean Nemitz. Together with Mac Minaudo and Chris Brown, they invested in a 4,000-square-foot warehouse for their custom 15-gallon, all-grain pilot system made from welded bicycle parts. Now a local favorite, Holy City Brewing is open six days a week for tours, events and good times in the tasting room. 4155 C Dorchester Road, North Charleston, (843) 225-6089

Creativity. Westbrook Brewing Company, run by Edward and Morgan Westbrook, rests within a two-story building off Wando Park Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. The space opens up to a circular bar situated within a colossal lobby for on-site tastings. Since opening two years ago, Westbrook has built a name for itself, as more and more locals enjoy its Belgian and American-inspired brews, especially the IPA and foggy-yellow White Thai. The brewery is open for tastings, tours and growler sales on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. It also holds “Beer and Yoga” nights and hip-hop dance classes. 510 Ridge Road, Mount Pleasant, (843) 654-9112