Is the State keeping down the Folly Beach Brewing Company?
By Paul Robinson
Local breweries, like the Folly Beach Brewing Company, who dare to grow in a down economy are prevented doing so by State legislation, or a lack thereof. What role might lobbyists representing large beer distributors play?
The Folly Beach Pub was opened in the spring of 2008 and sits at 34 Center Street, boasting a cozy atmosphere that attracts locals and visitors alike with its incredible selection of beers from all over the world. With smooth Americana/Folk-Bluegrass music from locals Jason Shore and John Irwin, the Folly Beach Pub features a relaxed scene and an opportunity to just sit back and take it all in.
The business is owned by Andy Cope, Will Smith, Matt Kacenga and Shawn Geouge, who met through the local social scene and their similar passion for surfing. Smith has been brewing beer for five years and enjoys every moment of it. “I have a lot of fun and it’s got to be a love. The feeling you get when you taste your end result is the reward. And I’m here trying to brew beer and create a local micro-brewery for Folly Beach,” says Smith. “We are excited to move into the fall season and make more traditional brews such as a Nut Brown Ale, and we are constantly searching for new and exciting things to brew. We offer different styles for different seasons and try to appeal to the public’s taste.”
“We came in and finally found this place. It was formerly a liquor store and we gutted it and hand built the inside using each of our own personal skills,” says Kacenga.
But, will The Folly Beach Pub ever be able to actually earn the title of Brewery?
With some help from Anne Peterson Hutto, South Carolina House Representative for our beloved District 115, I attempted to interpret the code regarding brewing and distribution laws in South Carolina. Currently the term “Micro-Brewery” does not even exist in SC Code Ann. “Helping my District 115 community and local businesses in it promotes everyone’s best interest,” says Representative Hutto, “Changes in the current law that would enable a business like the Folly Beach Pub to be more successful could generate tourism dollars and revenue for the Palmetto State. We would be stimulating the local economy, promoting growth and raising revenue.”
“If we wanted to become a brewery – meaning bottle, distribute and serve our beer – we would have to change the current SC Code Ann.,” says Smith. “South Carolina is out-sourcing to other states to brew beer, thus limiting business development and growth. We want this place to take off and granted, it is a gradual process, but something has to change in order for that to happen. Folly Beach could have a local brewery that bottles the beer here and serves it here. It would attract tourism, increase revenues, and give the Hospitality State something it is lacking,” explains Smith.
“Why, during this economic depression, are we restricted so much? We all have day jobs and we all came together for the common love of creating an atmosphere for the locals, guests and our friends at Folly Beach. We want an environment where you can join us and celebrate the common love and appreciation for a friendly locally brewed beer that will hopefully be here to stay,” says Cope.
President of the South Carolina Brewer’s Association, Jaime Tenny, says, “Just recently, three breweries contacted me in regards to possibly moving and beginning their businesses in South Carolina. Once they read the laws and restrictions place upon beer breweries and small businesses, they decided not to move to South Carolina and chose North Carolina instead. Who blames them? Why open here when North Carolina will welcome you with open arms,” explains Tenny.
South Carolina revenues generated from micro-breweries, brew pubs, beer bars and beer stores are staggeringly less when compared to North Carolina. In 2008, South Carolina generated an estimated $16,696,152 in total pint sales at the average price of $4.50 per glass served. That is an estimated $1.25 million in state sales tax. If SC Code Ann. mimicked North Carolina brewing laws, the State could potentially benefit by an estimated gain of $60 million in revenues and $4.5 million in sales tax. Of course, local brewers would also be able to live their dream.
The “ways of old” not only restrict many South Carolina businesses, but directly decrease revenues for the State. Currently there are not any bills being proposed that would benefit the Folly Beach Pub in regards to expansion, brewing and distribution of beer. Microbrewers hope to broker a compromise with and gain support from the lobbying powerhouse South Carolina Beer Distributors that benefits both the brewers and the distributors, though they have not been successful to that end so far.
