H. 4572 passed our 3rd Senate reading this past week! We have to go back to the House for approval and then on to the Governor. We expect there to be no problems and those steps as formality. If all goes well, I expect the law to be in effect within 3 weeks or so.

What does 4572 do?

* South Carolina breweries can give 4- 4 ounce samples as well as up to a case sales per person/per day. A case can be 12-22 ounce, 24-12 ounce bottles or 4 growlers. This must be in conjunction with a tour.

* Retail stores (like Total Wine & the Charleston Beer Exchange) can hold 96 beer tastings per year. The retail facet is a bit more restricted in sample size (2 ounce) but hey, it’s a start!

Stay tuned as we figure out how we are going to run our tasting rooms and tours, hours, etc… it is HOT in the brewery (no a/c) so summer hours may be odd. Excited!

I am so much better at quick updates on twitter. Always behind on this here blog. Find me over there: @COASTbrewing

Our next seasonal went out today, our first Belgian! It is a beautiful golden color with a white, fluffy head. Some nice phenols combine with a light, wheaty malt backbone. Considerable hops and the nice Belgian tang bring it all home. So drinkable at 5.7% and perfect for this summery spring weather. We’re really happy with our first Belgian and hope you are too.

the Belafonte is Steve Zissou’s ship in the Life Aquatic.

A combined brewery tasting bill AND beer retail tasting (seperate from our  bill 3693- brewery tastings) is being contested. Please contact Senator Phil Leventis and ask him to support this bill. It encourages growth across the board for the craft beer movement.

In this instance, emailing is preferred:  philleventis@scsenate.gov

Link to H. 4572