USA, SC: Palmetto Brewing Company to serve its last beer on June 26

After three decades in the Holy City, Palmetto Brewing Company will serve its last beer on Huger Street Thursday, June 26, WCIV reported on June 25.

The brewery publicly announced it would shut its doors permanently on June 24, citing recent challenges. The news shocked most employees and patrons across the Lowcountry.

“You don't need to bring someone, you just come here and you're one of the gang,” said Leslie Moore, the assistant general manager.

Moore worked at the Palmetto Brewing Company’s Charleston Taproom for the last four years.

Now, she’s preparing to turn the taps off for good.

“It's definitely bittersweet,” Moore said, “obviously sad to be closing our doors.”

Palmetto Brewing Co. shared the news on social media three days before closing. Staff learned on Monday that Thursday would be their last day, Moore said.

Since then, Moore says the brewery has been met with an outpouring of support from customers. A Facebook post has gotten hundreds of likes as of Wednesday.

“People just remember the first brewery that they went to when they came to Charleston, it being Palmetto and the friendships that they made,” Moore explained.

Considered one of the oldest breweries in the state, Palmetto Brewing Co. has a rich history in the Lowcountry. The name is inspired by the old Palmetto Brewery on the corner of Market and Hayne Streets, which opened in 1888.

The Charleston Taproom on Huger Street served its first pint downtown in 1993, calling itself South Carolina’s first brewery since prohibition.

“It wasn't legal to do that in South Carolina, so they did a lot of the legwork that opened doors for other breweries in the state,” Moore added.

Since then, it’s become a staple in the local industry and a place where many people got their start, Moore said.

She described their community of employees and regulars as a family.

“We have several employees, part-time employees who have full-time jobs and started working here part-time just because they love to be here,” Moore said.

Now those employees are out of a job, and Moore said their next steps are still unknown.

“There's a great brewery scene in Charleston, so hopefully some of us will land on our feet somewhere else,” she said.

The decision to shut down came from corporate officials. The Charleston location was previously owned by Catawba Valley Brewing Company, then sold to Made by the Water, or MBTW LLC.

News 4 tried to contact MBTW LLC or Wiregrass Equity; however, neither website could be reached.

Catawba Valley Brewing Co. has also not responded to a request for comment.

Palmetto Brewing Co. will host a final bash on June 26 with live music and $3 beers from 6-10 p.m.