Only 13 years ago, all S.C. bars served liquor or liquor drinks using mini bottles: sealed bottles containing less than 50 milliliters inside like you see on airplanes.
S.C. has a long list of regulations + laws when it comes to alcohol, but local spirit distilleries have fought for laws to be amended, resulting in a rapid expansion of the local liquor scene in the past 10 years. This year, three of Charleston’s local distilleries are shaking things up + expanding bigger locations.
Charleston Distilling Co. 3548 Meeks Farm Rd., Johns Island | Photo by Charleston Distilling Co.
Charleston Distilling Co.
After operating out of their downtown location at 652 King St. for five years, the small-batch craft spirits distillery closed their doors earlier this month and moved into a new location at 3548 Meeks Farm Rd. on John’s Island. The $4.2 million expansion features a 45-ft tall still to vastly increase production and new bottling equipment. Believe it or not, just a few weeks ago they were bottling everything by hand – I stopped in to help one afternoon and it was no easy job!
While the staff has already made the move, their new tasting room will officially open to guests in September.
Firefly Distillery
Located on Wadmalaw Island, Firefly is currently working on building its new long-term home in North Charleston. The quaint Lowcountry distillery is investing over $7.3 million in a new site 16-acre creekside venue off Spruill Ave. in North Charleston. In addition to increasing production, Firefly is turning an old landfill transfer station in a large venue with green space, more than 300 trees, tasting room, gift shop, + space for events/weddings. They expect to open in January 2020. Their tasting room location at 6775 Bears Bluff Rd. is still open in the meantime.
High Wire Distilling Co., 311 Huger St. | Photo by High Wire Distilling Co.
High Wire Distilling Co.
For the past six years, High Wire has been operating out of a rustic warehouse at 652 King Street. The small-batch spirits distillery recently announced that they will be undergoing a $3 million expansion and moving to a new location at 311 Huger St. in early 2020. The new 22,500 sq. ft. space will help them produce spirits 5x faster + create about ~45 jobs. Their King St. location is still open for tastings until they move.
Also, be sure to check out these other local distilleries that offer tastings:
Striped Pig Distillery, 2225 Old School Dr., Unit A, North Charleston
Cannon Distillery, 813 A. Savannah Hwy., West Ashley
Hard Scoop Distillery, 2030 Wambaw Creek Road #101, Cainhoy
Quiz
Find the answer in the Wrap section of today’s newsletter.