106,144 pints. That’s how much beer can be stored in the 30-barrel brewhouse of Steel Hands Brewing – giving them the title of the Midlands’ largest production brewery.

The 10,000-sqft production brewery opened in December 2018 – after ~2.5 years of planning and 9 months of construction. At all times you’ll find 11-12 beers on tap, with the staple three being their Coffee Lager, Tropical IPA + Foreman Golden Ale – which you can also find on tap at several local restaurants, and soon for purchase from your local grocery stores, convenience stores + other beer retailers (but more on that later).

We sat down with the marketing director of Steel Hands Brewing for a “behind the scenes” look at what all went into this $4 million brewery, sitting on 4-acres on the other side of the Congaree River.

But first, a few fun facts:

- The name comes from a collab of their handy-work + location of the brewery being across from CMC Steel.
- Every table inside the brewery and picnic table outside was built by husband-and-wife, Ashley + Scott Lambert, co-owner Darryl Frick and their and their team.
- Steel Hands Brewing has beer rotating on tap at places like Hall’s Chophouse, Henry’s, Lowes Foods’ Beer Den, Craft & Draft, Jakes on Devine in Five Points + more.
- Master Brewer Doug Smith moved to Columbia to join the team after working at brewery in Texas.
- Art outside the brewery is from the community through their #TimeForArt campaign, in which they did a call for artists to create a sculpture out of rebar to be displayed in their outdoor patio space. We actually got to help judge that competition.
- Yoga classes with Good Company Yoga are in the works. As well as scheduled brewery tours + a full events calendar.

The details:

📍2350 Foreman St., ~10 mins from downtown

⏰Thurs. 4-10 p.m., Fri. + Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 12-8 p.m.

“Side hustle” turned main hustle

Ashley and her husband, Scott, don’t have a background in craft beer – just a true love for it. In fact, Scott’s other full-time job is the owner of local firm Lambert Architecture + Construction Services, who’s worked on a number of Columbia’s commercial redevelopment projects, like The GRAND on Main, Michael’s Cafe and Catering, 701 Whaley, The Firestation + more.

Not only does Ashley manage the website, run social media + take care of all their advertising, she also designed the Steel Hands logo, their beer taps + did the chalk art above the entryway to the brewhouse (which is an ongoing art project which she plans to continue soon).

Steel Hands Brewing chalk art by Ashley Lambert

Ashley and Scott love working with their hands (hints the name: Steel Hands Brewing – which is a collab of their handy-work + location of the brewery being across from CMC Steel). Every table inside the brewery and picnic table outside was built by them and their team at their home. They even rusted the steel panels on the walls themselves (which a portion of the steel was supplied by their neighbor CMC Steel). CMC Steel also custom fabricated the rebar underneath the bar – a.k.a. where you rest your feet when you’re sitting at the bar.

They get by with a little help from their friends

But this brewery project is no two-person team. Darryl Frick, business-colleague and friend of Scott, is also co-owner + helped build some of the brewery’s projects.

And the brains behind the beer: Master Brewer Doug Smith moved to Columbia to join the team after working at a brewery in Texas.

Steel Hands Brewing’s brewhouse equipment

Now more on the beer…

Doug occasionally gets his flavor inspiration from local chefs – like his Pepper Pilsner, which contains actual black pepper. The brew they’re most proud of (and happens to be their most popular + the most unique) is the Coffee Lager, made with local Loveland Coffee – and served in a glass coffee mug. You can even purchase bags of the exact Loveland Coffee used in the beer from the brewery.

Rather than specializing in a specific type of beer, having “highly drinkable” beers is more important to them. Steel Hands wanted to create beers that people drink more than one or two of… but of course, enjoyed responsibly. Their plan is to introduce four new seasonal beers per year – i.e. one every quarter.

So can you get these beers at more than just the brewery?

Yes. Steel Hands Brewing has beer rotating on tap at places like Hall’s Chophouse, Henry’s, Lowes Foods’ Beer Den, Craft & Draft, Jakes on Devine in Five Points + more.

And soon you’ll be able to enjoy them in cans at even more places – like the comfort of your own home. They officially started canning their three staple beers last week, and hope to have them on shelves as early as this week. So far, Lowes Foods, Earth Fare, Whole Foods + select Circle K stores are on the list to ensure that Foreman Golden Ale is available to keep in your own refrigerator.

All three core beers will be sold in cans at stores this week

Next on the list: growlers. In the very near future, you’ll be able to purchase growlers of beer from the brewery or bring in your own to be filled.

Staying involved with the community

You may remember their #TimeForArt campaign, where they did a call for artists to create a sculpture out of rebar (supplied by CMC Steel) and be displayed in their outdoor patio space. We actually got to help judge that competition.

One of the #TimeForArt contest winners’ work displayed in their outdoor area

During Columbia Craft Beer Week in February, they’ll be hosting a cycling event where bike riders will cruise around Cayce tasting their beers at different stops.

They’ve also teamed up with Experience Columbia SC to host a March Madness Shoot-Out when the NCAA Tournament is in town. As part of that, they’ll be raising money to give back to a local organization. In the next month or so, they have a few percentage Pint Nights on the calendar, benefitting Camp Kemo + others.

Yoga classes are in the works with Good Company Yoga, too. As well as scheduled brewery tours + a full events calendar.

Every Saturday through the end of June they have live music booked for their outdoor shipping container stage at noon. Eventually, they plan to a full line-up planned for the entire day.

If you’re interested in renting out the space for special events, you can do that too. They offer several different levels of event rentals – from single high top tables to the outdoor patio or an entire side of the tap room (all of which comes with your private bartender). On Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, you can rent the entire brewery.

Have you had a chance to visit Steel Hands Brewing yet? Reply to this email and let us know – also send us your fav beer recommendations from them.

–Sam