Bierkeller Brewing Co. is located in Columbia’s Canalside neighborhood near the Congaree riverwalk. It is the only brewery in the city that follows the bierkeller tradition. The brewery was founded by Scott Burgess, a Columbia native. Burgess was inspired by a year spent in Bamberg, Germany, where he experienced the bierkeller culture. He aimed to recreate a German beer garden atmosphere in Columbia for both residents and visitors.
Bierkeller produces German-style beers on site and serves traditional German food. The brewery offers five or six beer styles at a time, focusing on quality and authenticity. This approach distinguishes Bierkeller from other breweries in Columbia and South Carolina. The outdoor area features a large square and is close to the river, providing a setting similar to German bierkellers.
Before opening a permanent location, Burgess operated pop-up beer gardens in Columbia’s Vista district for several years. His approach is influenced by his experiences in Germany, where he visited breweries and learned about brewing traditions…