When you’ve been married as long as I have and celebrated 17 years of Father’s Days, it can be difficult to come up with something different to celebrate how much you appreciate the man (and dad) in your family’s life. I thought long and hard about what my husband likes, what he would really enjoy … as well as something we hadn’t already experienced in Columbia and that we could do together.
Then it hit me. My husband loves craft beer so what better way to get ready for Father’s Day than for us to check out the local craft beer breweries and throw in two distilleries to boot. When I presented him with his gift (early this year), he said and I quote, “That’s the perfect Father’s Day present!”
I will be out of town on Father’s Day, so we took advantage of a kid-free Saturday and off we went to explore some of Columbia’s finest!
Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company
We started at Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company. The thing I really liked about this brewery was how willing the owner/brewer was to teach me a few things about craft beer. I generally am a wine drinker but it was a nice change of pace to put myself into learner mode and ask lots of questions. I learned about gravity and bitter units. Apparently, bitter beers are all the rage! I had no idea .. and they are actually very tasty!
Address: 921 Brookwood Drive | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tasting Room Hours:
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: Open at 5:00 pm
- Saturday: Open at 12:00 pm
- Sunday: Open at 1:00 pm
Copper Horse Distilling
On to our scheduled tour at Copper Horse Distilling. They specialize in small-batch, distilled spirits made exclusively from local grains milled at the historic Allen Brothers mill home of Adluh Flour. The tour overall was really educational. Richard, the owner and our guide, had visuals and a very interactive style which kept us engaged. There was lots to learn, but by far the most interesting was about the barrels the whiskey is aged in to become bourbon. The barrels are water tight but still permeable, so evaporation can happen. The amount of evaporation that happens is considered the “angel’s share.” And let me tell you, those are some happy angels! We were able to taste vodka and some wonderful cream liquors that made us forget about the South Carolina heat in June. My favorite was the salted chocolate truffle. YUM! He will have rum and some other liquors available in July and I can’t wait for the bourbon to be ready.
Address: 929 Huger Street | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tastings: Tastings occur at popular restaurants in Columbia and during special events at the distillery. Check out their website for more information and to reserve your spot.
Tours:
- Thursday and Friday: 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00pm
- Check out their website for tour availability (spots limited to 8)
River Rat Brewery
Then we hit up River Rat Brewery. I loved that they had a unique selection of hand crafted, delicious beers (which are quite popular in lots of restaurants, bars and other establishments in Columbia), as well as wine (yay, me!) and munchies that pair perfectly with your drink. They have a really nice deck where my hubby and I enjoyed great conversation and relaxed in the comfortable atmosphere. Added bonus for dog lovers: you can bring your furry friend along with you to enjoy great weather on the deck.
Address: 1231 Shop Road | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tap Room Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4 – 9 pm
- Friday: 4 – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12 – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 – 8 pm
Brewery Tours:
- Tuesday – Friday: 6 pm and 8 pm
- Saturday: 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm
- Sunday: 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm
- Tours are given on a first come first serve basis. You can also contact them to schedule a group tour.
Conquest Brewing Company
Conquest Brewing Company, the original Columbia craft beer brewery, was our last scheduled stop. They have a really neat open floor plan where you can sit in the tasting room or on the patio and still see into the workings of the brewery regardless of where you are. The beers on tap are sure to meet every palette, from light to dark, and heavy to hoppy. (My husband’s favorite was the Artemis Blonde.) They also have a food truck (or food available) most days of the week. On this particular Saturday, KC’s Hotdogs was the fare for the day. Great Reuben dog!
Address: 947 S. Stadium Road | Bay 1 | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tasting Room Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4 – 9 pm
- Friday: 4 – 10 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 – 6 pm
Tours: Available by request
Crouch Distilling
We ended our day at a surprise location, Crouch Distilling, which opened in 2014 right next door to Conquest Brewing. Some of their specialties include Rye Whiskey and Young Carolina Bourbon — yum! And I loved that they mash and create their spirits in small batches and bottle by hand. Their tour was a lot of fun because they are so passionate and enthusiastic about their products and future endeavors. Fig Brandy might be on the horizon for them … I say YES!
Address: 947 South Stadium Road | Bay 3 | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tasting Room Hours:
- Thursday and Friday: 4:30 – 7 pm
- Saturday: 1 – 7 pm
Tours: Available by request
Bonus: Columbia Brew Bus
As an added bonus, we kept running into the Columbia Brew Bus. What a great concept! They tour and sample beers at all three local breweries — Conquest, River Rat and Swamp Cabbage — and you don’t have to worry about driving. (Next time, Donald, next time.)
Address: All tours pick up and drop off at Liberty Tap Room in the Vista | 828 Gervais Street | Columbia, SC | 29201
Tour Hours:
- Friday: 5:30 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 3 pm – 6:30 pm
- Sunday: 3 pm – 6:30 pm
Check out one of these great places for Father’s Day or purchase a gift certificate for dear old dad. If your fella enjoys beer as much as mine does, it could be his perfect Father’s Day gift!
