Twisted Spur Brewing - Columbia, SC
Twisted Spur owner and head brewer Chris Baldwin was inspired by time spent on the west coast, where craft breweries paired with exceptional food are the norm. Not seeing this joint venture in his hometown state of South Carolina, he decided to bring that experience to the Columbia area.
The brewery filters their water five times and uses UV sterilization to make their flagship and seasonal brews. Top notch meat and seafood highlight the menu, which includes a brunch.
Baldwin notes that probably the most popular dish at the restaurant is a London-style fish and chips, featuring an enormous 12-ounce piece of haddock.
“We make our batter in-house here and we actually make it with the Deadhead Red Beer,” he says. “[It’s] flash fried over a bed of fries with our housemade lemon aioli and pickled onions we make in-house as well.”
You can read more about Twisted Spur Brewing here: https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/south-carolina/twisted-spur-brewing
Country Boy Brewing - Lexington KY
Country Boy Brewing was started in 2012 by four native Kentuckians. Their goal was to make craft brews with minimally processed, high quality ingredients. Expanding to nearby Georgetown for production and packaging of their top sellers, Cougar Bait American Blonde Ale and Shotgun Wedding Brown Ale, they are the largest brewery in the state of Kentucky.
Country Boy started with a food truck, but quickly realized that having a kitchen with the same attentiveness to the food as they had with the beer would be an advantage.
“We wanted to have simple stuff, minimally processed, simple classic stuff but with a Country Boy take on it,” explains co-owner Daniel “DH” Harrison. “With great beer and food, you’ve got a home run every time.”
With a menu that sports burgers, wraps and wings, you’ll be sure to find a tasty meal that will go perfectly with your drink menu choice. Can’t decide? Try a flight of beer to see what one you like best, or start with the award-winning cranberry cider!
Learn more about Country Boy Brewing here: https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/kentucky/country-boy-brewing
Lock 15 Brewing - Akron, Ohio
The idea for Lock 15 Brewing was born from an idea at a family holiday party, when head brewer Joe Karpinski brought a Christmas ale he’d brewed himself for relatives to try. When his cousin Colin Cook tasted the beer, he proposed opening a brewery together, and a few years later that idea became a reality. With an open kitchen serving rustic fresh local fare and sixteen taps (seven for year-round brews and nine for seasonal), you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy.
Nashville Chicken is a signature item, and one that the restaurant takes pride in.
“I don’t think a lot of people do it particularly well,” says Cook. “The spice rub and the sauce that you use is very specific. If you’ve actually been to Nashville and had Nashville chicken you will know that It hurts you. You’re going to feel it all the way down,” he continues, referring to the spice/heat level.
Situated near the Ohio & Erie canalway and Cascade Locks Park, Lock 15 Brewing also boasts a 100-seat covered outdoor beer garden, and views of raised garden beds that provide produce for the kitchen.
More information about Lock 15 Brewing can be found here: https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/ohio/lock-15-brewing-company
Jekyll & Hyde Brewery - Belmont, North Carolina
Jekyll & Hyde is a three thousand square foot family-owned brewery and even larger dining hall with an English, hint-of-steampunk feel. They offer fifty craft beers on tap, specializing in North Carolina’s hottest brewery offerings. Be sure to try favorites like the shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, or one of the amazing burgers - like the one named after an English serial killer!
“This is Jack the Ripper,” General Manager Frank La Fragola states as he describes the two half pound beef patties, bacon, provolone, house made beer cheese and sauteed banana peppers, jalapenos and onions that make up this delicious monstrosity. “Absolutely amazing,” he continues. “And of course, we finish it off with a knife in the burger.”
Read more about Jekyll & Hyde Brewery here: https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/north-carolina/jekyll-and-hyde-taproom
High Grain Brewery - Cincinnati, Ohio
Besides offering amazing brews and food, High Grain Brewery focuses on sustainability and being a steward of the environment - they sport a geothermal HVAC system, a native plant rooftop garden, and their delivery vehicles are all electric.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing in the kitchen! They offer a seasonally rotating menu of innovative food, which is truly farm-to-table local. With a goal of being a little different from traditional brewery offerings, High Grain prides itself on having something for everyone, Some options, like the Hop Cakes, are vegan and gluten-free.
“It’s kind of like a play on crab cakes,” says head chef Christian Ireland. “We do it with hearts of palm and chickpeas. . .we know people have a lot of dietary restrictions, so this kind of covers every base.”
More information about High Grain Brewery can be found here: https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/ohio/high-grain-brewery
So raise a glass to the relaxed, convivial vibe of one of our favorite breweries - a great place to be with friends, try new drinks and enjoy some stellar food as well. We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of our top five breweries!
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About ABR: America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and restaurant marketing company based in Florence, KY, travels the country telling the stories and highlighting the unique food of locally owned independent restaurants as part of their ABR Roadshow. Restaurants are featured not only on ABR’s Restaurant Network of social media channels and website, but also each individual establishment’s Facebook page. With over 700 episodes filmed, America’s Best Restaurants is the premier marketing agency for restaurant owners and operators to have their story broadcast coast-to-coast. Visit AmericasBestRestaurants.com to learn more and to view the episodes and profiles of hundreds of America’s Best Restaurants!