CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The taps have gone quiet at six Charleston-area breweries over the past year, but the Lowcountry’s love of craft beer is still brewing strong.
In just 12 months, Bevi Bene, Cooper River, Fatty’s, Palmetto, The Brew Cellar, and Tradesman Brewing have each poured their last pint, at least in their original spaces.
Each closure comes with its own unique backstory.
- Palmetto Brewing, one of Charleston’s oldest craft breweries, closed after its lease expired and debt mounted.
- Fatty’s Beer Works cited downtown real estate costs as a major hurdle.
- Tradesman Brewing Company is currently seeking a new space and still brewing in the meantime.
- Cooper River Brewing Company cited declining demand following the pandemic, closing their taproom but still brewing.
- Bevi Bene Brewing Company shuttered its taproom but continues production.
- The Brew Cellar pointed to South Carolina’s steep liquor liability laws as the reason for its last call.
Despite the closures, industry leaders say Charleston’s beer scene isn’t drying up: it’s evolving…