Hunter-Gatherer Brewery
1 / 10

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A historic airplane hangar transformed into a vibrant brewery and eatery, offering unique ambiance and exceptional craft beers.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Hunter-Gatherer Brewery

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A historic airplane hangar transformed into a vibrant brewery and eatery, offering unique ambiance and exceptional craft beers.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience Columbia's most unique brewery in a historic aircraft hangar with great beer and food!"

TIP

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and get quicker service by visiting during non-peak times.

Ask for Beer Recommendations

Not sure which brew to pick? Ask bartenders for samples or suggestions.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

Brewpub, American

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(803) 764-1237

Address

1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Airplane Hangar Ambiance

Historic Airplane Hangar Ambiance

Experience a unique brewery set within a historic airplane hangar, featuring aviation-themed art and a cavernous, rustic feel.

Exceptional House-Brewed Beers

Exceptional House-Brewed Beers

Savor a diverse selection of expertly crafted beers, with a focus on English ale styles and seasonal brews.

Flavorful Artisan Pizzas

Flavorful Artisan Pizzas

Indulge in delicious, perfectly baked pizzas with creative toppings, a true standout on the menu.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Definitely had fun attending the “Taste of Gather” at @gathercola. It was great seeing some of the food vendors that will be set up there. Major S/O to @smoke_it_up_food_truck 🔥 #columbiasc #colasc #food #thingstodo
@kenwalkershow
882 likes • 13.7K views

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and get quicker service by visiting during non-peak times.

Ask for Beer Recommendations

Not sure which brew to pick? Ask bartenders for samples or suggestions.

Outdoor Seating for Pets

Bring your furry friends along as pets are welcome in the outdoor seating areas.

Try the Signature ESB

For a taste of their best, order their signature ESB or a seasonal brew.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and get quicker service by visiting during non-peak times.

Ask for Beer Recommendations

Not sure which brew to pick? Ask bartenders for samples or suggestions.

Outdoor Seating for Pets

Bring your furry friends along as pets are welcome in the outdoor seating areas.

Try the Signature ESB

For a taste of their best, order their signature ESB or a seasonal brew.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery is celebrated for its unique atmosphere in a historic airplane hangar and its exceptional house-brewed beers, particularly English ales and IPAs. While the food, especially the pizzas and bratwurst, receives high praise, some patrons have noted inconsistent service, with a few experiencing inattentive or less-than-friendly staff.

"The Hunter-Gatherer was AWESOME! Columbia has quite a few great breweries, but Hunter-Gatherer is right up there with all of them!

First and foremost, the ambiance is so cool! It's in an old airport hangar, so it's plenty spacious, and they lean into the history of the hanger with some really cool contemporary artwork of airplanes, pilots, and helicopters. One of my friends is a pilot, and he loved looking at all of the different art pieces they had. I also loved the set-up, with the empty barrels and brewing equipment in plain view.

In terms of their brews, they were immaculate as well. I tried a few different ones, all of which were great, but settled on the Grapefruit IPA, which is one of my favorite IPAs that I've ever tasted. Some of their other great ones were the Galaxy IPA, the Hazy IPA, and the English Pale Ale.

With regard to their food, the pizza was absolutely DELICIOUS. It was baked to perfection, tasted amazing, and was the exact amount of crispy without tasting burnt. My guests said that they enjoyed their salads as well.

Finally, the entire staff was super sweet, and made me feel welcomed the whole time. They chatted with me, provided me samples, and generally made me want to come back time and time again.

Overall, I can't say enough good things about the Hunter-Gatherer, and it's now one of my favorite spots in Columbia!"

John Doe

"Nice battery brewery with small menu of traditional bar food. Wide selection of beers that is updated regularly. Not a huge selection of food, but the pizza I ordered was fairly large and tasted like pizza. A lot of space to sit so large groups can be accommodated, including both indoors and outdoors. The building is an old airplane hanger and includes a large amount of brewing equipment which is really cool to see. A great spot to hang out and drink with friends."

Matt Hess

"The place with its history is awesome, the beer is tasty, but the service kinda sucked. The bartenders didn’t seem to enjoy their jobs..at all. We greeted them with excitement just to be met with disappointment. My girlfriend wanted to tip 15%, but I insisted on 20% because I’m in the industry. I honestly wish I let her tip the 15% percent though, because she was right.. They literally did nothing besides pour our beer. When we were trying to decide they didn’t offer any suggestions or samples..until we asked. There were no smiles, no suggestions, no nothing. They honestly kind of seemed annoyed.. So yeah, work on the staff and your place is awesome!"

Taylor

What People Like

Unique historic airplane hangar ambiance
Excellent variety of craft beers
Delicious pizzas and hearty bar food

What People Dislike

Inconsistent or inattentive service

Frequently Asked Questions

The brewery is housed in a historic airplane hangar, offering a distinctive and spacious ambiance with aviation-themed art.

They specialize in a wide selection of house-brewed English-style ales, along with IPAs, sours, and seasonal brews.

Yes, reviews frequently praise the delicious pizzas, bratwurst, and pulled pork, considering them highlights of the menu.

Yes, pets are welcome in the outdoor seating areas, making it a great spot for diners with animals.

The brewery can get busy, especially during peak times. Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended for quicker service.

Yes, they offer spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, with hangar doors that can open to create an indoor-outdoor experience.

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Eater Carolinas

21 Essential Restaurants in Columbia, South Carolina

Visit Source →
experiencecolumbiasc.com

Columbia SC Nightlife, Live Music, Entertainment & Culture

If you’d rather let your ears guide you, consider a post-dinner stroll along Gervais Street in the Vista, State Street in West Columbia, Main Street downtown, through Five Points or historic Cayce, where pubs, bars and restaurants like Hunter-Gatherer, Art Bar, Steel Hands Brewing, Jake’s and New Brookland Tavern bring everything from country and blues to rock, jazz and bluegrass to their guests. Two of the most unique venues are Chayze Lounge in Nonnah’s and the Upstairz Lounge at Pearlz Oyster Bar, both of which showcase local jazz talent in a jazz club-like atmosphere. Many fine-dining restaurants offer live entertainment as well, often without requiring a cover charge.

Visit Source →
Draft Mag

Best Breweries in Columbia, SC

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse is one of the oldest Columbia breweries, having first started the craft beer movement in the city in 1995 along with Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company. The brewery is located in a historic airplane hangar on Main Street and is considered to be one of the finest brewpubs to enjoy the best beer and food in Columbia. They specialize in a range of craft beers, like golden ale, hazy IPA, and the fan-favorite raspberry sour.

Visit Source →
classiccitybrew.com

Brewtopia Events - Columbia, South Carolina Beer

Hunter-Gatherer is one of the first brewpubs to open in the state, and has achieved quite a devoted following of beer fans. This is a bohemian brewery/restaurant that features a diverse customer base and a fine lineup of beers that are mostly English ale styles with some influences from the west coast of the USA. The ESB is one of their best brews, and you'll usually also find a Pale Ale, Wheat Ale, and a seasonal brew.

Visit Source →
The State

10 local breweries to get great craft beer near Columbia SC

There are actually two locations of Hunter-Gatherer: one on Main Street and one near Rosewood in the historic Curtiss-Wright Hangar. The atmosphere at “the Hanger,” as many call it colloquially, makes for an experience totally unique to Columbia. Gather in the renovated airplane hangar, complete with hangar doors that open completely in the nice weather and make for a great indoors-meets-outdoors experience.

Visit Source →
MOA Columbia, SC

10 Late-Night Restaurants in Columbia, SC 2024: Dine After 9pm

For Columbia’s beer aficionados seeking a nocturnal retreat, Hunter Gatherer Downtown presents an ideal solution. This establishment transcends the standard bar; it’s a sanctuary for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting an extensive array of house-brewed English-style ales and a rotating selection of guest taps. Hunter Gatherer caters to refined tastes with a menu that elevates typical bar fare.

Visit Source →
TRAVELHOST - The Premier Destination Resource

5 Best Breweries in Columbia, South Carolina | TRAVELHOST

Columbia's oldest brewpub, Hunter-Gatherer, has been serving traditional ales and fresh foods since the mid '90s. It’s in a class by itself. Specialty pizzas are a favorite, but don't underestimate the culinary offerings here, where delicious Italian and Asian-influenced specials co-exist happily with salads, sandwiches and a wonderfully fresh black bean dip appetizer.

Visit Source →
Post and Courier

Best of Columbia 2022: Clubs and Bars | Free Times

Hunter Gatherer has stood the test of time since its opening as the first craft beer brewpub in the city in 1995. It now has two locations, the original Main Street spot and the newer hangar location at the Curtiss-Wright Hangar, which opened in 2018. Owner Kevin Varner brews up a variety of English-focused beer, along with a solid barrel-aged sour series.

Visit Source →
Movoto Real Estate

12 Best Bars in Columbia SC 2016

Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House is where you go when you're serious about your beer. Equipped with a brewery onsite, the H-G, as it's affectionately known, makes ales, wheat beer, extra special bitter (ESB), stouts and India Pale Ale (IPA). Even if you're not a beer drinker, the H-G has a wide assortment of whiskeys, bourbons, wines and other drinks.

Visit Source →
Columbia SC -

Guide to the Best Breweries in Columbia, SC

For over 15 years, Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Taproom has been serving up amazing beer to the Columbia, South Carolina area. If you’re looking for a fun brewery in Columbia, SC, then you’ve got to visit Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Taproom. There are a wide variety of beers on the menu at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Taproom.

Visit Source →
Stacker

Highest-rated Restaurants in Columbia, According to Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (204 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 900 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201-3964- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Homes for sale in Columbia at every price point

Visit Source →
Kidding Around Columbia

23+ Romantic Date Night Restaurants: Columbia, SC

Hunter Gatherer is well-known to locals as a place to go for delicious food and drinks. This restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere perfect for hanging out with your significant other or meeting up with friends. They’ve got several beers on tap, sandwiches, salads, and plenty of entrees to choose from.

Visit Source →
Charlotte Magazine

The Charlottean's Guide to Columbia SC's Thriving Craft Beer Scene

Located in an historic airplane hangar, Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse satisfies the thirst of both history lovers and beer lovers. Amelia Earnhardt once landed here, and you, too, can park yourself here for a little while. For classic drinks, the Golden Ale or a Hazy IPA are both solid picks.

Visit Source →
Southern Dreams Realty - Columbia, SC Luxury Real Estate and Property Management

4 Top-Rated Breweries in Columbia, SC

Whether it’s handcrafted ale or great food, Hunter-Gatherer Alehouse has you covered. Choose from their selection of ales, seasonal beers, entrees, and appetizers. It is one of the best places to stop for a few beers and some good food.

Visit Source →
Lynn-D Gunter Photography

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants to Eat at After Your Session

Last but surely not least, Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse offers a unique dining experience for both parents and kids. It is a family-friendly restaurant with a varied menu in addition to being a brewery. Family-friendly features:

Visit Source →
6AM - COLAtoday

A guide to Columbia, SC breweries

🍺 Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Alehouse, 900 Main St. | Est. 1995 | The Hunter-Gatherer located behind the State House + just blocks from the University of South Carolina’s historic horseshoe is Columbia’s first micro-brewery.

Visit Source →
Experience Columbia SC

9 Ideas for Romantic Dates in Columbia SC

Some Saturdays, the observatory partners with Midlands Astronomy Club for Sidewalk Astronomy where you can star gaze outside public places like Hunter-Gatherer Brewery, or Mellow Mushroom.

Visit Source →
Just Short of Crazy

25 Places To Eat In and Around Columbia, SC

Visit Source →
Southern Living

The 20 Best Things To Do In Columbia, South Carolina

Visit Source →
discoversouthcarolina.com

Great Dining Spots in Gamecock Country

Visit Source →