ABOUT US – As craft beer lovers, we’ve always loved learning about the very best craft products in the market and thought it was about time Charleston had a place for beer lovers to not only learn about craft beer, but to experience it like never before – by pouring it for themselves. Once we stepped into the historic building at 549 East Bay Street, we knew that the Biergarten had found a home, both for ourselves and Charleston’s beer community. Featuring beautiful high ceilings, large communal tables and German influenced high-end bar fare, it’s as close as you can get to an authentic Munich beer hall in the south. Our goal is to revolutionize Charleston’s food and beverage scene with the most progressive technology the beer industry has to offer. Located on the corner of East Bay and Chapel Street, in the historic neighborhood of Wraggborough, we have 62 taps, 16 of which are right at your table, giving you the chance to pour your own beer. You’re sure to love our state of the art Toast tablet system, as well as our craft-bier tasting wall, our selection of beer cocktails, liquor, wine, and our outdoor patio.
BUILDING HISTORY – Once called the Wilmington Railroad Depot, the building that now houses Bay Street Biergarten, was violently destroyed in an 1864 Civil War explosion. As confederate soldiers planned to evacuate Charleston on February 18, they loaded the depot with weapons and supplies to ensure nothing was left for the descending union soldiers. Despite their best efforts, a storehouse on the grounds of the depot was filled with gunpowder and set on fire. A trail of gunpowder led to the Wilmington Depot, where over 200 civilians still inside were killed. While the Biergarten represents the future of Charleston’s booming food and beverage industry, it is inextricably also tied to Charleston’s history. We have honored the Holy City’s past and future by maintaining the historically significant building’s bones, which were reconstructed in the late 1800s. The 7,400-square-foot property will now house a state-of-the-art tap system, kitchen, a full-service bar and a sprawling outdoor seating area, but train whistles heard from the nearby port are a constant reminder of the buildings history.
Ryan, originally from Delaware, brought his managing skills to Charleston after graduating from Clemson University. We think his experience at Daniel Island Grill, DIG in the Park and Dublin Down makes him the perfect Operations Expert. Ryan is also the in-house Mac-whisperer, sports trivia master and lives in Charleston with his wife Emily Barber Workman.
Laura was born and raised in Charleston and has witnessed the Lowcountry’s swift progression into the craft loving city it is today. She attended undergraduate school at the College of Charleston and after 23 years of living in the chuck, packed her bags for San Diego, where she studied intellectual property law at USD. She developed a love for craft beer after touring the plethora of breweries on the left coast. She likes football, writing and pretty much every kind of Pinot Grigio.
Greg was born with a pint of Yuengling in his hand. Originally from Pottsville, PA, home of America’s oldest brewery, Greg made the big jump to Charleston after graduating from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. His palate for beer has expanded throughout the years, but his main focus is keeping the finances and the pest control companies in check at the Biergarten.