If you love trying new craft spirits, then you’ll love North Charleston, South Carolina. Just a short drive from downtown Charleston, our vibrant city is home to three fantastic craft distilleries producing a range of unique flavors. Visit North Charleston is your guide to fun experiences in North Chuck. Here, discover the tastes and experiences to be found at distilleries in North Charleston, SC.
Key Takeaways
- Firefly Distillery produces over 23 different spirits with signature Southern flavors, including sweet tea, chocolate pecan pie, and peach.
- Striped Pig Distillery uses heirloom ingredients and traditional methods to create extraordinary small-batch spirits in the Southern way.
- Beyond Distilling Company crafts distinctive spirits in an environment that emphasizes inclusivity, creativity, and environmental awareness.
Firefly Distillery
Start your distillery tour strong with Firefly Distillery. As South Carolina’s largest craft distillery, Firefly produces over 23 different spirits. It crafts its drinks with a distinctly Southern twist, emphasizing iconic flavors in mouthwatering selections, such as Sweet Tea Vodka, Banana Pudding Moonshine, Chocolate Pecan Pie Moonshine, and Bourbon Ball. It also crafts vodka, rum, and ready-to-drink cocktails, so you’re sure to find something for everyone.
Also at Firefly, find Tom & Huck Distillers. This label builds upon three generations of experience to create smooth, flavorful whiskeys that are distinguished by the Lowcountry coastal climate. Each line pays homage to North Charleston culture, from the former Navy base to its modern music venues.
Distillery tours are available daily, Mondays through Saturdays. In the evenings, Firefly Distillery transforms into one of the most active gathering hubs around. Its event calendar is packed with concerts, live music, karaoke and trivia nights, Saturday food truck rumbles, and Sunday oyster roasts. You can also rent the venue for private events.
Striped Pig Distillery
Next up on the itinerary is Striped Pig Distillery. North Charleston’s first distillery since Prohibition, it remains one of the city’s best and most popular distilleries. It’s beloved by locals and visitors alike for its great craftsmanship. Striped Pig Distillery is picky with its process, selecting only local ingredients to create sophisticated small-batch spirits, including rum, bourbon, vodka, and gin.
Striped Pig Distillery has built its reputation on traditional methods. The brewers work with local farmers to source heirloom fruits and grains. Batches are distilled slowly and carefully, then aged patiently to allow the flavors to mature. This commitment and attention to detail enable them to honestly say that they distill in “the Southern Way.” On top of that, Striped Pig Distillery is woman-owned and family-run, so you can feel great about supporting the North Charleston community.
Beyond Distilling Company
Follow up the old with the new at Beyond Distilling Company. A relatively recent addition to the North Charleston scene, Beyond Distilling was founded on a simple idea: great spirits that people can take pride in. It focuses on inclusivity, creativity, and quality, reflected in its environmental consciousness and its commitment to employing adults with disabilities.
Beyond Distilling Company produces small-batch spirits, including bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, and rum. It’s more than just its spirits, however: the distillery offers a complete experience. Learn more about its process with a behind-the-scenes tour, which explores the distillery’s unique recipes and home-grown botanicals, or join a mixology or distilling class to expand your knowledge with some fresh tips and tricks. Just be sure to book in advance because walk-ins aren’t allowed.
How to Plan a Distillery Crawl
While each North Charleston distillery can be experienced on its own, why stop at one? With planning, a distillery crawl can take you through all three for a comprehensive exploration of North Charleston’s spirits. Here are our tips for pulling off a successful crawl:
- Plan transportation: Rent a rideshare ahead of time to ensure reliable transportation without excluding anybody from the fun.
- Have full stomachs: Start the day with a hearty meal, then watch for food and drink options along your route to make sure nobody goes hungry.
- Time your visits: Set a timer at each location to keep moving. You don’t want to miss out on great spirits because you lose track of time.
- Try new things: Don’t just stick to what you know. Try new things to broaden your palate, learn more about your tastes, and discover new favorites.
Don’t forget to check out other things to do in the area. From scenic parks to museums and live performances, North Charleston has lots to offer.
Explore Distilleries in North Charleston, SC
Discover your new favorite spirit at a North Charleston distillery. Our city is home to three fantastic distilleries delivering incredible drinks, from uniquely Southern flavors to tried-and-true classics. Plan your stay today; contact us at Visit North Charleston to request information or to learn more about distilleries in North Charleston, SC.
