E177: Palmetto Brewing and Catawba Brewing with owner Billy Pyatt

Palmetto Brewing is South Carolina's oldest brewery

The history of Palmetto Brewing dates back to the end of Prohibition. In its current life, Palmetto is 26-years old, making it South Carolina's oldest operating brewery.  Billy Pyatt, founder of Asheville's Catawba Brewing purchased Palmetto in 2017.  They've got a new look and some new beers, but still hold on to their traditions.

Pyatt joined us from his sound-proof recording studio (his car) while taking a break from building out a new beer cooler.  We talk about the recent update to Palmetto's branding, their new beers, the South Carolina beer scene, and what else we should do for a weekend in Charleston.

Palmetto may have a few years on Catawba but the North Carolina brewery will celebrate their 20th anniversary this July.  As part of the celebration, they'll launch three new beers.  We tried to get Pyatt to spill the beans on exactly what those would be, but he said he has to keep that under wraps for now.  While sipping some of their coffee blonde ale (Evening Joe) Brian had to get in some coffee chat and we find out about Catawba's best-selling beer.

Craft Beer News

• Boston Beer Co. merges with Dogfish Head | The big story this week was the merger of Boston Beer Co., maker of Sam Adams, and Dogfish Head.  Since Pyatt had experience merging two breweries we took the opportunity to get his opinion on the pros and cons of this massive merger. 

The Beer List

We enjoyed the following beers before, during and after our show taping.  It's a non-stop party in here.

• Palmetto Brewing Idle Speed | Salted Lime Lager
• Palmetto Brewing Nice & Brite | Gose
• Catawba Brewing Evening Joe | Coffee Blonde Ale
• Creature Comforts Feel Free | IPA
• Old Nation Boss Tweed | NE DIPA
• Proof Brewing Royal Bloodline | BBA Imperial Stout with coffee and vanilla
• Terrapin Beerista | BA Imperial Stout with cold brewed coffee

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

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