The Best Breweries in Greenville, SC

Liability Brewing

Liability has quickly become one of my go-to breweries. Located on West Stone Avenue, just a mile or so north of downtown, it’s perfect.

In terms of their beer. Well they have a wide selection of about a dozen or so beers on tap – everything from sours to pilsners to IPAs. So I can always find something to drink. And their beers are very good. The people I know who are a bit more snobby about their beer than me love Liability. They just make great beer.

The space itself is pretty sweet too. It very much has that working brewery vibe. And the staff are amazing – ready to answer questions and chat with you. When I bring Ellie (my dog), she always gets lots of pets and love from the staff. (Plus they stock dog biscuits and toys!)

What I love: Friendly, dog loving staff

Read Next: A Greenville Weekend Itinerary: Beer, Brunch, Biking, and More!

Fireforge Crafted Beer

I’ve started this list with my favorites, and my top three would not be complete without Fireforge. To put it quickly, Fireforge is an excellent small-batch brewery located in downtown Greenville. And not only do I always get to drink great beer here, but I also feel like I get to try something new.

The owners here are passionate about their beer and it definitely shows. I like to think of Fireforge as having some classics with a twist, as well as some truly great seasonal beers. (Ever tried a beer with ghost pepper in it?)

Their tasting room is decked out in that renovated-warehouse look complete with vintage furniture, natural wood tables, and a sleek metal bar. They’ve also got a big outdoor beer garden area with picnic tables with more seating. (Unfortunately this outdoor area is the only place where dogs are allowed – my one big gripe with Fireforge.)

What I love: Perhaps my favorite brewery in terms of the beer itself.

Read Next: Where to Find Craft Beer in Greenville, SC

Carolina Bauernhaus

I used to travel to Anderson to drink at Carolina Bauernhaus, so I was thrilled to learn they were soon opening a new location in Greenville, SC. Now with locations in both downtown Anderson and the West Village of Greenville, it’s much easier to get your sour beer fix.

The new location at Poe West in the West Village is beautiful. With an amazing, covered outdoor space, it’s easy to kick back and stay awhile. I especially loved the hanging hammock chairs as well as the large bocce court and dog friendly status.

Yep, that’s right, they are dog friendly inside or out, which is great news when the weather gets cooler. And if you need some food, they have a few nibbles on site. They may also have a vendor in (like a food truck or the Mac Attack when we went the first time) to increase the food offerings.

What I love: The covered porch with hammocks

Southernside Brewery

I’ve been waiting for a brewery to open up along the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville for years. And that day has finally come. Welcome Southernside Brewery.

Located across the river from The Commons, Southernside Brewery has a massive outdoor space that literally looks out on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. You cannot beat the location.

Inside you can find a massive indoor space (industrial-ish feel) with a huge gorgeous bar. As well as a rotating list of drafts, you can also expect craft cocktails and an extensive list of bourbons.

And the food is southern-inspired, approachable, and yet elevated. There’s something for everyone at Southernside Brewery.

What I love: When I want to drink and eat some really good food, this is where I go.

Magnetic South Brewery

The Judson Mill has several new tenants and one of my favorites is Magnetic South Brewery. Originally from Anderson, they’ve become a staple here in Greenville.

One of my favorite things? They allow dogs inside. ALSO, they also have a full food menu. So you can order food at the bar, pick it up at a window, and have your dog with you. No need to shiver away on a picnic table outside.

They also have several beers on tap so you should find something to your liking. And they have a bunch of events planned each week and then unique ones on the holidays.

What I love: Dog friendly indoors plus a full food menu. No other brewery has this.

Think Tank Brew Lab

At first I wasn’t even aware that Think Tank was a brewery, but not only is it a brewery, it’s a massive brewery!

Opened in the spring of 2021, they started off with about half a dozen or so staples so that everyone could find something to love (think a porter, stout, pale ale, ipa, wheat, blonde, etc.). But with plans to release a new beer every month or so, they’ll quick fill out their 24 taps (if they want to that is).

The beers were good – and even as a non-ipa drinker – I actually liked their IPA. But what sold me was their space. The indoors was huge with a big taproom and lots of seating and even a lofted area. But that outdoor space… So much room to spread out with tables, chairs, and big open areas for yard games. We loved it.

At the moment there’s no food on site, but they have plans of bringing in food trucks and of eventually opening a kitchen. Once the kitchen opens though, they will no longer be dog friendly inside (which always makes me and Ellie a bit sad).

What I love: The huge outdoor space

Double Stamp Brewery

Open in 2021, Double Stamp is a new brewery off of Laurens Road about 1.5 miles from downtown. It’s got a fun 90’s theme going on with decor, music, and even beer names.

While no food is offered on site, Home Team BBQ and Greektown Express are literally right next door. There’s a QR code you can scan at the bar that allows you to order take out from Home Team. Or you can pop over to the Greektown window. Win, win.

Since no food is offered on site, that means they are dog friendly! Indoors, outdoors, and even on the rooftop!

Wait did I say rooftop? Yes Double Stamp has a small rooftop patio. There’s even a bar up there too (though no one was serving when we went in October 2021 on a Saturday evening – maybe soon though).

They also have music bingo on Tuesdays during Pup Tuesdays (where you can grab a $5 pint if you have your dog), and trivia every Wednesday. Be sure to follow their Instagram for all the details on the events.

What I love: Dog friendly rooftop!

Swamp Rabbit Brewery

Do you know what’s one of the best feelings in the world? Biking up the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Travelers Rest and then ordering a Raspberry White Ale at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery. The moment it hits my taste buds is pure bliss. It’s maybe even the reason I decided to bike all the way to Travelers Rest. It’s that refreshing.

The taproom at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery is on the smaller side compared to some of the breweries on this list. But when the weather’s nice, the back patio is an option and they roll up the front garage door for some extra seating.

The beers here are pretty classic. They usually have about 10 or so on tap at a time with a few staples that I love (like that raspberry white) offered year round.

What I love: Proximity to Swamp Rabbit Trail means its the best post (or mid) ride stop.

13 Stripes Brewery

Taylor’s Mill is becoming a hot spot in Greenville. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Greenville up Wade Hampton Boulevard, it’s an easy trip from the city. And the mill is gorgeous (if you’re into that whole renovated-warehouse look, which I am).

And 13 Stripes has become, in my mind at least, the centerpiece of the new Taylor’s mill. The taproom inside is enormous with a huge bar that makes it super easy to find a space to flag down a bartender to order a beer. (In other places, there’s either one place to order or you have to do it over the heads of those seated on the stools…awkward.)

They then have a nice sized porch with half dozen or so picnic tables where you can stay awhile (if the weather’s nice). Plus music on the weekends (check their calendar) and really, really good tex-mex via their in-house restaurant, Tacos & Mas. Just order at the bar.

Is there a downside? Well, their dog policy sucks (and actually it’s Taylor’s Mill’s dog policy). And it states no dogs on the property at all, which includes the brewery’s outdoor porch. I still go to 13 Stripes, but this policy means I’m not a regular.

What I love: 13 Stripes holds some pretty great events throughout the year.

Tetrad Brewing

Tetrad Brewing is the new kid on the block. They opened in October 2019 in downtown Greenville (along Stone Avenue near the new Half-Moon Outfitters).

They focus on small batch craft beers and, when I was there, featured brews from other local breweries while they increase their offerings.

The inside was much bigger than I expected with a massive bar and seating on both ends of the brewery. Plus they’re dog friendly, inside and out, due to having food trucks come by instead of cooking food on-site.

And as the closest brewery to my house, I’m excited to become a regular and learn more about what makes Tetrad special!

(Curious about the name? Tetrad means a group of four and well, you only need 4 ingredients to make beer: water, hops, yeast, & grain. Now you’re drinking and learning.)

What I love: That I can bring Ellie (my dog) inside during the winter!

Golden Grove Farm & Brew

Golden Grove has actually been around for a few years. I visited a long time ago but recently returned. And I don’t know why I’ve stayed away for so long!

It is quite a bit outside of Greenville, but that shouldn’t stop you. Lots of good beer on tap, good food (wings, pizza, & flatbreads), and the people are very friendly.

One of the best parts though is the disc golf course they have right on site! It’s a full 18 hole course that weaves into the forest behind the brewery. And let me tell you (as a novice disc golfer), it’s the hardest course I’ve played in Greenville. (Beware of all the trees.)

So Golden Grove is now a place I like to head to when I want to get my disc golf in AND have some beer and probably some mac & cheese too.

What I love: Disc golf course (one of the hardest) right on the property.

Shoeless Brewing

Not many people know about Shoeless Brewing. Among my craft beer aficionado friends, this isn’t one they typically frequent. But why?

It might be because it’s the smallest brewery in the Upstate, or that it’s inside the largest home-brew store in the upstate. But either way, this is a favorite of mine.

The building itself is split in two. The home-brew supply store is called Grapes & Grains. But once you enter, head to your left to find the taproom for Shoeless brewing.

The taproom feels cozy and warm. And there are a ton of beers on tap. I’m alway surprised by the number of their offerings. And they’re always very good.

One of my favorites was a coffee chocolate peanut butter stout that was to die for. It was the ultimate winter beer.

What I love: The unique and numerous styles of beer.

Eighth State Brewing

When I think of Eighth State Brewing, I always think of what it was originally known as (Upstate Craft Beer Co.), but that was now years ago. And Eighth State has definitely come into its own. If you’re into creative and quirky beers, then this could be the brewery for you.

It’s located at the far end of the West End and I don’t think it’s necessarily walkable from downtown. Though you could definitely do it. It does have a large parking lot though and an Uber from downtown would be quick and cheap.

Eighth State offers their own beers (I once got a lime green colored sour here that was delicious), food from their restaurant, cocktails, and alcoholic slurries (think slushies). They also have weekly trivia and tons of live music from local and regional artists. Check their Facebook page for more details on their events.

What I love: Quirky styles and different colors.

Thomas Creek Brewery

I think of Thomas Creek as being the OG brewery in Greenville. It was here before craft beer and breweries were “in.” Think back to a time before smartphones and when “saison” was not a word commonly used in households. (Is it now? It is in ours.) It’s 1998 y’all.

That’s right, Thomas Creek was established in 1998. It’s located outside of downtown, but they have a huge warehouse facility. The taproom itself and patio is on the smaller side, but I wonder if that’s because they were originally built to make beer and ship it to local restaurants and markets. Remember this was when drinking at breweries wasn’t a thing yet.

But you can still head to Thomas Creek and kick back with a few. They have a cozy taproom where you can try out all of their beers. Or you can head to one of the local bars/markets in the area and grab their more popular beers when you’re out and about in Greenville.

YeeHaw Brewing

Yee-Haw is definitely the most approachable of the breweries on this list if breweries aren’t usually your thing. It’s got a full menu (with different drinking options if beers aren’t your thing), a huge patio, and an entertainment area with a giant TV for sports and games off to the side. It can definitely be a fun and family-friendly place to go if you’re looking for more than just craft beer.

The beers themselves tend towards the classics and styles that almost anyone would recognize and be able to enjoy. So don’t expect to find the exceptionally quirky or creative here. I remember someone telling me that Yee-Haw is the craft beer place for people who don’t like craft beer. I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but if you want less fuss with your beer, you’ll find something here to enjoy.

And in terms of the food, starting in 2020 they brought in Prince’s Hot Chicken. And this super elevated their food game. Prince’s (as in the legendary Nashville Hot Chicken eatery) is authentic and delicious. I’m not going to lie when I say I’ve sometimes gone there for the chicken instead of the beer.