The Upcountry of South Carolina has become one of the Southeast’s most exciting destinations for beer lovers. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full craft-beer road trip, the Upcountry delivers a perfect blend of scenery, community, and exceptional beer. Here are some of our favorite breweries to add to your itinerary:
DAY 1
Start at RJ Rockers Brewing Company, Spartanburg’s original brewery! Check out the live music every week, sports games on the flat screens, and a variety of events and activities. With around 5,000 barrels of capacity, you can find Rockers’ handcrafted brew in their restaurant, as well as throughout the Upstate and in Asheville, NC – on draft and in cans.
Just 20 minutes north in Boiling Springs, you will find New Groove Artisan Brewery. New Groove’s taproom features 20 house-made beers as well as a special tap for crafted sodas for kids and non-beer drinkers. Their events calendar is always filled with yoga, music bingo, trivia, karaoke, and even a table-side magician! See the website for details on what is happening at New Groove during your visit!
Head 15 minutes west of New Groove, and you will find the quaint downtown of Inman. Holliday Brewing is located just off of Main Street and features a full restaurant serving craft burgers, wraps, fish tacos, wings, salads, and a variety of apps, making this the perfect stop for lunch.
Drive just 25 minutes from downtown Inman, and you will be in the beautiful city of Greer. Visit Greer Station in Historic Downtown Greer, where paved streets lead to chic boutiques and award-winning restaurants. Shop, eat, and stop in for some live music to start your night.
A 2-minute drive or an 8-minute walk from Greer Station will bring you to Blue Ridge Brewing Company. The “Upstate’s BrewPub” has been locally owned and operated since 1995. In addition to their outstanding craft beer, they are known for their “smoking out of the box” barbecue techniques and have been serving southern-style barbecue for over 20 years.
Accommodations in Greer range from casual hotels to luxury spas, so you will find a place to stay for anyone joining your craft beer adventure. The Hampton Inn Greer Greenville is conveniently located directly downtown, just a 6-minute walk from Greer Station. This hotel is equipped with amenities such as free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Hotel Hartness is situated 20 minutes south of downtown Greer and features 69 suites in the main hotel and four distinctive spa suites, each finely appointed in a fresh, contemporary motif. There are two restaurants on-site as well as a state-of-the-art spa.
DAY 2
Depart from Greer and head west toward Greenville. There are two breweries you should check out along the way.
Stop by The Southern Growl, which offers 70 taps featuring a wide range of in-house-brewed craft beers, plus ciders, wine, and house cocktails.
Drive another 11 minutes toward Greenville, and you will arrive at 13 Stripes Brewery in Taylors. 13 Stripes is an old-world style brewery featuring cozy outdoor seating for a relaxed pint.
The next stop will bring you to Greenville, a beer lover’s paradise! Wild Yarrow Brewing, Liability Brewing Co., Other Lands Brewery + Cafe, and Double Stamp Brewery are all great options on the east side of town, all situated approximately 5 minutes from one another.
If you find yourself at Double Stamp around lunch or dinner time, walk across the parking lot and order from Home Team BBQ or Greektown Express. If the weather is favorable, you will be able to take your food and beer outside to the greenspace to enjoy the sunshine, kick a soccer ball around, or take a walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
In just 5 minutes, you will be in the heart of downtown Greenville. The accommodation options are endless! You can’t go wrong with a stay at The Hyatt Regency, which offers guests the perfect balance of Southern hospitality and modern amenities. This hotel offers quick access to all of downtown Greenville’s shopping, dining, and entertainment. Situated at the end of the Liberty Bridge, another option steps away from Greenville’s amenities is the Grand Bohemian Lodge, offering a luxury spa, a curated art collection, and an outdoor bar and restaurant overlooking the Reedy River.
If you happen to be in Downtown Greenville on a Thursday or Friday night, March through October, check out PNG Downtown Alive or Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays and experience free concerts, food trucks, local vendors, and of course, beer tents!
DAY 3
If you are waking up in downtown Greenville, you are steps away from endless breakfast options! If you’re up for trying something new, head over to one of Greenville’s newest restaurants, Crave, which features an all-day brunch menu. No need to get up early to enjoy these savory, exquisite creations! If you’re looking to try more traditional southern fare, check out Biscuit Head, offering biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, and brunch plates.
The next stop on your brewery tour should be Yee-Haw Brewing Co., featuring an outdoor beer garden, a large green space, and a jumbotron. It is the perfect place to catch an afternoon game while enjoying locally brewed craft beer.
Just a 4-minute walk downtown from Yee-Haw sits Fire Forge Crafted Beer, and they know how to throw a party! From open bluegrass acoustic jams to music bingo to their annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion Day Celebration, there is something for everyone at Fire Forge! Check their website for details.
Your last stop in downtown Greenville could be Southernside Brewing Co., serving up creative craft beer, delicious food, and refreshing cocktails. Southernside features both indoor and outdoor seating, with a large outdoor space for yard games.
Southernside is situated directly on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which will lead you to Unity Park in less than a 5-minute walk. If you’re visiting Unity Park, be sure to check out the newest addition: The Honor Tower, a 10-story, 125-foot structure offering views of both the city and the mountains.
If you’re up for one more stop on your brewery tour, head 20 minutes north to the picturesque downtown of Travelers Rest to visit Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom. Their award-winning beer will bring you back to Travelers Rest again and again. In 2018, they won the World Beer Cup silver award for American-style stout.
While you’re in Travelers Rest, check out the Michelin-recommended restaurant Topsoil and enjoy a true farm-to-table experience. Every meal is carefully prepared with ingredients from their nearby 16-acre farm and their neighbors’ lovingly tended fields.
If you’re planning on staying in Travelers Rest to conclude your trip, check into The Swamp Rabbit Inn, a modern bed & breakfast along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Hampton Inn Greenville/Travelers Rest is another great accommodation close to all the amenities downtown Travelers Rest offers.
Other breweries in the area include:
Anderson County:
Greenville County:
- Fountain Inn Brewing Co.
- Pangea Brewing
- New Realm Brewing
- Three Notch’d Brewery
- Shoeless Brewing Co.
- Bridgeway Brewing Co.
Pickens County:
Oconee County:
