Written By Paul Grimshaw
Images By Matchstick Social; courtesy of Pawleys Tap & Pour; courtesy of Carolina Ale House; Samantha Jean Becker
Quigley’s Pint & Plate
258 Willbrook Blvd., Pawleys Island (843) 237-7010
11887 Highway 707, Murrells Inlet (843) 299-1452
Pintandplate.com
One of the original Grand Strand brewmasters, long before microbreweries here were even a thing, Josh Quigley of Quigley’s Pint & Plate, along with his partners, set the standard early for area brew pubs combining great food and atmosphere with delicious, house made, beer. Eight of their in-house ales and lagers are always on tap and available “to-go” in half-gallon growlers (Pawleys Island location, only). Additional seasonal brews are made and poured throughout the year. The Murrells Inlet location sells local and regional crafts, but not the Quigley’s imprint due to SC laws.
Pawleys Tap and Pour
13089 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island. (843) 979-1010
Pawleystapandpour.com
This creative self-pour tap room uses sophisticated technology to make self-pouring of around 40 beers pretty easy. It all starts with a check-in (driver’s license and credit card required), head to tap wall where you’ll find beer priced by the ounce. Pour away, enjoy, close your tab and that’s about it. A full menu is served as well and includes daily specials. Beers available rotate and include a wide variety of sours, stouts, ciders, hard seltzers, wheats, lagers, IPAs, blondes and high ABVs, such as the Seven Devils scotch ale at 10.5%.. Most beers run from around .30 per ounce to .98 per ounce.
Liberty Tap Room & Grill
7651 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach (843) 839-4677
Libertytaproom.com
Because of bizarre SC laws, Liberty Tap Room, the sister to the recently closed Liberty Brewery at Broadway at the Beach, could not sell its own beer, but rather had to rely on other local and regional craft beer brewers and distributors for its suds, a method Liberty Tap Room still employs. Enjoy beers from New South Brewing (Myrtle Beach), along with Crooked Hammock (Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach), Tidal Creek Brewhouse (The Market Common), Grand Strand Brewing (Myrtle Beach), and several others from around the state and around the country.
Carolina Ale House
2915 Hollywood Drive, Myrtle Beach (843) 839-4222
Carolinaalehouse.com
On the footprint of the razed Planet Hollywood, Carolina Ale House, one of some 25 in the southeast-focused chain, offers food, sports, a family friendly appeal, and one of the largest bars in Myrtle Beach. Here beer rules supreme, as would be expected by the name, and includes all the domestics, but also includes a vast array of dark, light and pale lagers, IPAs, stouts & porters, strong ales, wheat beers, ciders, sours and specialty beers. Also enjoy a large and diverse menu served fairly late into the evening. Hours vary.
44 & King
515 44th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach (843) 626-5464
44andking.com
One of the newer pub-eateries to the Grand Strand, 44 & King, quickly made converts with its screened in deck, outdoor cornhole, Bocce and fire pit, a cozy interior and large bar. Here craft cocktails and crafty beers from around the Palmetto State on tap, by the can or bottle, have created a loyal clientele seeking their favorites and experimenting with new flavors in the ever-growing craft beer movement. Popular choices include: the Cup O Jojo Stout, the hyper-local Dirty Myrtle double IPA from New South Brewing (8.9%), and well more than a dozen additional choices. Local liquor distiller, Twelve 33 Distillery in Little River, also distributes its local spirits there. Enjoy a full Southern menu as well.
Nacho Hippo
1160 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach (843) 839-9770
850 North Beach Blvd., North Myrtle Beach (843) 663-9393
Nachohippo.com
These fun, funky, Mexican-inspired restaurants (there’s also a location inside the Myrtle Beach International Airport) offer indoor/outdoor seating with protection from inclement weather, but convert to wide open cantinas with pleasant breezes, as the weather cooperates. Nothing like an ice cold cervesas to go with your chips and dips, and Nacho Hippo stocks domestics, Mexican favorites and serves plenty of local brews including those made by New South Brewing, Tidal Creek Brewhouse and The Crooked Hammock.
Bar 19 Twelve
1912 Hwy 17 S., North Myrtle Beach (843) 281-0997
Well known among North Myrtle Beach regulars, the Martini family of restaurateurs scored with Bar 19 Twelve, a repurposed wedding chapel, which opened in late 2019. Sophisticated, hip, trendy and accessible to all, this casual fine dining restaurant has it laid back side, too. An outdoor all-weather bar with an electric roll-top roof, outdoor gas firepit and cigar-friendly patio, is the perfect spot to enjoy regular live music (in season) and a great selection of libations and craft beers with a golf course view. Enjoy elevated pub tapas (small plates) and more.
