Where To Find Carib Beer In South Carolina

The sale of beer in South Carolina is subject to time restrictions in certain counties, but there are no dry counties in the state. The laws surrounding alcohol in South Carolina have a long history, with voters endorsing prohibition in 1892. Today, the retail sale of liquor is permitted from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and Sunday sales are banned by state law. However, some counties and cities have held referendums to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine. As for Carib beer, it is a pale lager-style beer with a 5% ABV, produced by the Carib Brewery Limited, which is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago and has breweries in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and the United States.

Where to buy Carib beer in South Carolina

The laws around alcohol sales in South Carolina are quite relaxed, with no dry counties in the state. Beer and wine can be purchased in stores 24 hours a day in some counties, such as Charleston, while others enforce time restrictions, for example, no sales after 2 a.m. in Pickens County.

Although I can't provide an exhaustive list of locations, Carib beer is available to purchase in South Carolina. The brand is sold throughout large parts of the Caribbean and is now expanding into the US market. The beer is produced by the Carib Brewery, which has its headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago and breweries in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The company has a beer locator on its website, which may be useful for finding specific locations where you can purchase Carib beer in South Carolina.

Carib Lager is a pale golden straw-colored beer with a slightly aromatic, neutral balance between malt and hops, and a semi-dry finish. It is best paired with barbecue and Italian foods, especially fish or pork, and earthy cheeses such as Camembert and Fontina.

The alcohol laws of South Carolina

The state of South Carolina has a three-tier distribution system in place to regulate the alcohol industry. This system distinguishes between manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Alcohol licenses are issued to:

• Retailers, who are permitted to sell alcohol to the public.
• Wholesalers, who are authorized to purchase alcohol from the producers and sell it to retailers.
• Manufacturers and importers, who can produce or import alcohol.

In addition, there are separate licensing and regulation organizations for different products. Beer and wine are covered under one umbrella, while liquor has a separate organization.

Different types of establishments have different regulations regarding when they can sell alcohol.

Hotels and restaurants with a license can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the hours are shortened to 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., and all sales are generally prohibited on Sundays.

Liquor stores are permitted to sell to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. However, you can visit a grocery or convenience store and buy beer or wine 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday.

Alcohol Sales on Sundays

Certain counties have passed their own referendums that permit on-premise and/or off-premise sales on Sundays. Businesses in these counties can apply for a 7-day license.

On-premise sales of beer and wine for businesses in qualifying counties are allowed either from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., depending on local laws. The same is true for restaurants and hotels that serve liquor by the drink.

Purchasing Alcohol after 11 p.m. in South Carolina

Bars and restaurants are permitted to sell alcohol until 2 a.m. There are over 8,000 businesses with licenses for on-premise sales, providing plenty of options.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an executive order was issued on July 10, 2020, that prohibited alcohol sales after 11 p.m. at bars and restaurants to discourage people from gathering and socializing in public places. This order did not apply to alcohol sold at grocery and convenience stores. On March 21, 2021, the order was lifted, and bars and restaurants were once again allowed to sell alcohol until 2 a.m.

Carib Brewery USA

The brewery is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, actively participating in community projects and environmental initiatives. With a diverse portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Carib Brewery USA caters to multiple market segments, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Carib Brewery's history

Carib Brewery is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago and has been a trailblazer in the industry since 1997. The company's history, however, goes back much further.

In 1947, the Caribbean Development Company Limited (CDC) was founded to reduce Trinidad's dependency on sugar and oil cultivation. In September 1950, the first Trinidadian beer, Carib lager, was brought to market and the brand is still going strong today. In 1955, the CDC was split into Carib Brewery Ltd. and Carib Glassworks Ltd. By 1957, Carib had attained a monopoly on beer production in Trinidad.

The company continued to expand and innovate throughout the following decades. In the 1970s, Carib increased its production to 250,000 hectolitres per year and launched its first non-alcoholic beverage, Malta Carib, a malt beer. In 1985, they introduced Shandy Carib, their first shandy. In 1987, Carib modernised its equipment with the help of German manufacturer Steinecker Maschinenfabrik, allowing them to surpass the output mark of 1,000,000 hectolitres.

In the subsequent years, Carib internationalised its beverage business, signing distribution and licence contracts with foreign producers and exporting its own brands. The company established breweries outside of Trinidad, including in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1997) and Grenada (2002). In 2016, Carib's parent company, ANSA McAL, acquired the American brewery Florida Beer Company, which was later rebranded as Carib Brewery USA.

Today, Carib Brewery boasts a varied portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beers, ciders, sodas, and tonic wines. The company continues to be driven by a sense of innovation and excellence, constantly evolving to meet the changing demands of the market.

Carib beer's taste and food pairings

Carib Beer is a full-bodied golden lager with a unique balance of malt and hops, sweet and bitter. It has an alcohol content of 5% by volume and is best served cold. The beer is characterised by its intense, fresh and original Caribbean aromas.

When it comes to food pairings, there are a few guidelines to follow to enhance the flavour of the beer and the dish. Firstly, consider the dominant flavour of the beer or the dish. For instance, a sweet, rich or oily flavour can be a good contrast to the bitterness of the beer. Alternatively, complementing flavours is another simple way to pair beer with food. Rich foods go well with heavy and rich-flavoured beers, while light-tasting salads and fish pair well with light beers.

With these principles in mind, here are some specific food pairings for Carib Beer:

• Spicy dishes: The crisp and refreshing taste of Carib Beer can balance out spicy foods, cleansing the palate.
• Barbeque: The bitterness of the beer can cut through the richness of barbeque sauces.
• Fried foods: The carbonation and bitterness of the beer can cut through the grease and fat of fried foods, acting as a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Stews: The bold flavours of a hearty stew can be a good match for the bitterness and maltiness of the beer.
• Chocolate desserts: The slight bitterness and maltiness of the beer can complement chocolate-based desserts.
• Shellfish: The bitterness and carbonation of the beer can be a good contrast to the briny flavour of shellfish.

Frequently asked questions