Buckle up, we’re going on a cruise around the Midlands to take a closer look at our area’s breweries.
Beyond the brews, these spaces have become central to Columbia’s social scene, with venues featuring an increased amount of live music, food options, weekly trivia, and hosting charitable events.
Thanks to the “pint law” passed in 2013 — which allowed breweries to sell up to 48 ounces of beer for on-premise consumption — this opened the doors for craft brewers to create multi-use spaces and spurred a buzzing local craft beer scene.
Let’s take a look at the breweries around the Midlands and all they have to offer.
🍺 Angry Fish Brewing Co., 106 Fabrister Ln., Lexington | Est. 2018 | Angry Fish Brewing Co. is located just outside of downtown Lexington and features a large, rotating tap list featuring beers served year-round + seasonal brews.
Features:
- Food trucks (check the schedule here)
- Pet-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Weekly trivia on Wed at 7 p.m.
- Live music
🍺 Bierkeller Columbia, Saluda Riverwalk | Est. 2016 + permanent location coming late 2022 to Canalside | Bierkeller currently hosts pop-up events at the Saluda Riverwalk + weekly bottle service of its authentic German beers at Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co.
Future features:
- European and German-style menu
- Indoor + outdoor Biergarten overlooking the river
🍺 Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Green St. | Est. 2017 | Columbia Craft Brewing is located just blocks from Colonial Life Arena and will soon open a rooftop bar with 16 more taps.
Features:
- Food trucks (check the schedule here)
- Pet-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Music Bingo every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Special events calendar
🍺 Hazelwood Brewing Company, 711 E Main St., Lexington | Est. 2017 | Hazelwood is a family-owned and operated brewery and often brews its beer with hops grown on its own farm. The brewery boasts a large outdoor space and frequently hosts live music.
Features:
- Food trucks (check the schedule here)
- Pet-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Live music
🍺 Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Alehouse, 900 Main St. | Est. 1995 | The Hunter-Gatherer located behind the State House + just blocks from the University of South Carolina’s historic horseshoe is Columbia’s first micro-brewery.
Features:
- Full kitchen + rotating specials (menu)
- Family-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor dining
🍺 Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Alehouse, 1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd. | Est. 2018 | Located in a renovated airplane hangar at Owen’s Field Airport in the Rosewood neighborhood, The Hunter-Gather at the Hangar is one of Columbia’s most unique brewery locations.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Pet-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Family-friendly
- Special events calendar
🍺 Krafty Draft, 269 Charter Oak Rd. | Est. 2018 | Located in the suburbs of Lexington, Krafty Draft carries anywhere from five to nine Krafty brewed beers on tap along with hosting a variety of special events.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Family-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Weekly trivia on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
- Special events calendar
🍺 Old Mill Brewpub, 711 E. Main St., Lexington | The Old Mill Brewpub is located inside Lexington’s historic old mill next door to Hazelwood. The brewery offers daily and weekly menu specials.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Weekly trivia on Thurs. at 7 p.m.
- Special events calendar
🍺 Peak Drift Brewing, 3452 North Main St. | Coming in 2022 | Peak Drift will begin brewing later this year and open to the public in 2023. For now, you can purchase Peak Drift beer at the microbrewery located inside Smoked on Main Street.
🍺 River Rat Brewery, 1231 Shop Rd. | Est. 2013 | Located off Shop Road near Williams-Brice Stadium, River Rat Brewery is one of Cola’s longest-running breweries and brews a variety of beers that can be found on tap or in local stores.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Pet-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating with a rooftop patio
- Wednesday night Music Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Weekly trivia on Thursday at 7 p.m.
- Special events calendar
🍺 Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., West Columbia | Est. 2021 | Savage Craft is located in West Columbia’s revived River District in a renovated historic building that used to be home to the Brookland Fire Department.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Pet-friendly outdoor
- Live music
- Indoor + outdoor seating with a rooftop patio
- Family friendly
- Special events calendar
🍺 Steel Hands Brewering, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Est. 2018 | Located just outside of downtown Columbia in Cayce, Steel Hands has one of the largest brewery spaces in the Midlands brewing beers that can be found on tap and in local stores.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Pet-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Live music
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Special events calendar
🍺 Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co., 921 Brookwood Dr. | Est. 2014 | Swamp Cabbage Brewing Co.’s taproom is located near Williams-Brice Stadium + is one of Cola’s longest-running breweries with two award-winning beers.
Features:
- Pet-friendly
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Weekly trivia on Friday at 7 p.m.
- Special events calendar
🍺 Twisted Spur Brewing, 705 Gervais St. Ste A | Located in the heart of the Vista, Twisted Spur is a microbrewery with specials throughout the week, including $1 oyster nights on Mondays.
Features:
- Full kitchen (menu)
- Indoor + outdoor seating
- Live music
- Special events calendar
