USA, SC: Plankowner Brewing Co. steps away from opening in Boiling Springs

The new Plankowner Brewing Co. at 109 Sloane Garden Road, Boiling Springs, is literal steps from Interstate 85 exit 75, making it a straight 25-30-minute shot from Greenville and even closer to downtown Spartanburg, the Upstate Business Journal reported on April 18.

Plankowner is hosting its grand opening April 26 from 3 p.m.-midnight with food, live music, and several of their beers that are ready for consumption.

In the former Abbott Farms store, the 6,335-square-foot brewery is the passion project of a former Navy man, Shawn Waggoner, who was commissioned on the USS Cowpens. The name of the ship led him to the Revolutionary War battleground in Spartanburg County and after visiting Cowpens for five years, he decided to move to the area.

The name, Plankowner, refers to an individual who was a member of the crew of a United States Navy ship or United States Coast Guard cutter when that ship was placed in commission. So far, the majority of the brewery’s hires are former military, in keeping with Waggoner’s vision of supporting his fellow veterans.

“It’s very important to put our values out there,” he says. “Our motto is tradition, commitment, and community.

Also a volunteer fire fighter, Waggoner says that outworking of the motto entails the commitment to making good quality beer, being as sustainable as possible, and being a part of the community.

Waggoner, as 42 percent owner, and a group of investors bought the property earlier this year, which already had a full commercial kitchen, and over the last few months have renovated the interior into a nautical-themed space.

“So many breweries go for the industrial warehouse look and feel. For us and our theme, we wanted to do something a little different,” he says.

Whites, navy blue, and teak wood tones are the main décor elements, with ropes as accents. Each of the tanks of the seven-barrel system is named after a Caribbean island.

The space and seating are designed for guests to kick back and stay awhile, Waggoner says.

“Comfort and relaxation are our two overriding factors,” he says.

Beers planned for opening are Frigate Ale (ale lager hybrid), Beam Reach (blackberry blonde ale), John Paul Jones (colonial ale) Scurvy Dog (citrus pale ale), Coastal Carolina Wheat (using all wheat from South Carolina), and Busted Rudder (porter with peanut and chocolate).

The food menu will include Old Bay popcorn, charcuterie, conch fritters, hot and cold sandwiches, chicken wings, fish sandwiches, and bangers and mash.

The family-friendly brewery will be open seven days a week. Planned hours are Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon-midnight; and Sunday, noon-7 p.m. with a goal of serving brunch, eventually.

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