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SUMMER CAMPS AND (NEW) SAUSAGES AND BIERHALL AND ÖATES

Thu, 22 May 2025 14:20:23 GMT

This Summer...we're getting the B(r)ands back together. And MUCH MUCH more

NEWS

It's warming up, Columbi-ja. And our activities calendar is heating up for summer. This is our BIGGEST summer season yet. With plans and offerings for families (Sunday Sommer Camps); food (a BRAND NEW menu, including...desserts); festivals (Vatertag, Bratfest, 2nd Anniversary); fussball (the UEFA Nations League); and friday entertainment (Lieder and Liters with new house band, Bierhall and Öates).

Oh, and we're getting the b(r)ands back together. Remember the old days of grabbing your bier and heading to the Wurst Wagen truck for a snack at our pop-ups? Well...we do, too. And we're teaming up again for both the short- and the long-term. We're super excited to announce the rebirth of this partnership! So...

Read on, Columbi-ja!

But first....

IN THE (LOCAL) NEWS

As you may have seen, we at Bierkeller have been building momentum on a number of fronts with regard to our City partnerships. We were awarded a Proclamation by Mayor Rickenmann on 5 May for our role in developing the Columbia Riverfront.

We are building on that by continuing to gather support among municipal leaders to make a connection (via pedestrian stairs and ramps under the Jarvis Klapman bridge) to the State and EdVenture Museums and Coble Plaza.

We are also returning to Soda City market to share our plans, our news, and some fresh brews. Look for us starting 21 June and come have some FREE samples while you shop. Then, bring proof of your visit to either the market or museums and receive a 10% discount off your bill. Prost!

ICYMI

Our new Wednesday attraction continues. The second installment of Astronomy on Tap takes place on 28 May from 6 until 9. This FREE event features accessible, engaging presentations on space and science topics ranging from planets to black holes to galaxies to the beginning of the Universe, along with trivia, games, prizes, music, and other surprises!

Our local presenters this time are Mitchell Halley, who will speak on "A Brief Story of Planet Hunting," and Varsha Kulkarni, whose presentation is titled "Once Upon a Time When Galaxies Were Young." Come join our hosts and your friends at Bierkeller and interact with the presenters and other scientists who inevitably tag along for the fun.

FESTS

Summer season is Fest season. Yes, even before the big boys come to town in the forms of Oktoberfest and our Weihnachtsmarkt, we are gearing up to provide fun and food and bier.

Dads: 14 and 15 June are dedicated to y'all. Vatertag Fest features outdoor grilling, fussball on the TVs (Bayern plays in the USA); bands; and plenty of fun for dads of all ages.

Sausages: 12 and 13 July mark the return of the hugely popular Bratfest . Come celebrate the crowned classic German street food, in all its forms, and see what summer grill parties are like in the Fatherland. From regular to smoked to cheese-stuffed to garlic to regional variants like Nürnberger or Thüringer or (yes) Franconian...all of your favorites will be on hand and grilled up fresh for you. Oh, and accompanied by some fresh, tasty beers, too. PROST!

Birthdays: am 15-17 August haben wir Geburtstag. In English: it's our birthday, Columbi-ja! Can y'all believe it? 2 years old! Well, seeing (and drinking) is believing. We'll be tapping our snd anniversary Jubiläumsbier -- details to come -- and we'll also have music and vendors and fun for the whole family. FREE to enter.

Want more on events? Well, we've got more. Much more. Check it out, Columbi-ja. It's already hopping again at the riverfront.

www.bierkellercolumbia.com/events

ESSEN UND TRINKEN

We have LOTS to report here, Columbi-ja.

WE'RE GETTING THE B(R)ANDS BACK TOGETHER!

In the next few weeks we will announce the official launch(es) of our new menu that we put together with our friends at The Wurst Wagen. We have been combining our skills with theirs and the results speak for themselves:

Lighter, more authentic Schnitzel

New Sausage supplier with more -- and more authentic -- offerings, grilled fresh and served on...

German baked rolls and breads.

Some of these improvements you've already seen. Like our new daily specials, featuring an authentic snack, sausage, or schnitzel dish (and fish and chips) on set days of the week. Come for your favorite special. Stay for the bier and fun and friendship.

Much MUCH more to come here. Look for the launch date in Facebook Events soon.

Since you've signed up for these newsletters, make sure you also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates, stories, and images on the daily.

instagram.com/bierkellercolumbia

facebook.com/bierkellercolumbia

That about wraps it up. We look forward to spending our summer with you, Columbi-ja. Prost!

The Boys Are (Back) in Bamberg...

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:22:57 GMT

Our Chef and Brewer Make the Pilgrimage...

A few months ago, we received a generous offer. One we could not refuse. A loyal customer hooked us up with a friend who runs a restaurant in Germany specializing in Franconian food. "Would you like to see if I can set up a visit where you guys can get some behind-the-scenes looks at how it's all done?"

"Would we?!?"

"Yes. Would you?"

"We would!"

And so after some wrangling and reserving and rearranging of schedules, we sent our head chef, Brent, and our head brewer, Justin, off to Franconia on Sunday.

What is the point of all this?

Well, as you know, at Bierkeller we always aim for authenticity. It's kind of our thing. And so we go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure it. We've done this with our beer for years. Decades really. And, so, when we realized after a few months of being open that we weren't a simple brewery with snacks, but a real, live restaurant, too, well...we knew we had some work to do.

And the only way to truly learn about the source of our inspiration is to spend some time there. So this offer was more than serendipitous. It was kind of a godsend.

As I type, the boys have just finished their first shift at a restaurant called the Schäufelewärtschaft in Nuremberg. We have them focusing on classics. Classics we make here. And are always looking to improve upon until we feel like we're providing the most authentic food and experience around. Thus, they are working on perfecting things like potato dumplings (Kartoffelklösse), Jägersoße (mushroom gravy), Jägerschnitzel (self-explanatory), and even new dishes such as Schäufele and Sauerbraten.

Meanwhile, they'll be roaming the streets trying out other classics such as Bratwürste, Leberkäs, Currywurst, and, of course, Döner.

And we plan to bring all of the knowledge and experience they gather from finally being at the source back to you, Columbi-Ja.

And to unveil it all with a new menu and experience, coming very soon (11 March, to be precise).

We can't wait to see what else they explore and learn. And we'll plan to keep you posted as we get updates. Prost and Mahlzeit, y'all!

Bierkeller Newsletter 1/14/25

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 01:05:52 GMT

Bierkeller Newletter 1/14/25

NEWS

Greetings, Bierkeller friends, fans, and family. We're sliding into the new year well (as the Germans say), and hope you are all, too. As you've no doubt noticed, we've changed our hours for the Winter season. We now close on Tuesdays. But not to worry, all you Token Tuesday discount devotees. We are now honoring those on Fridays. So...

WELCOME $5 HALF-LITER FRIDAYS!

That's right. Just $5 gets the weekend started right. And our $2.50 tokens help you stock up early for the weekend. So...

see you soon (i.e. Friday), Columb-Ja!

ICYMI

Speaking of announcements, we recently posted our COMPLETE 2025 YEARLY EVENT SCHEDULE on our Website. Just navigate your curious selves to

www.bierkellercolumbia.com/events

and check it out. Oktoberfest, yes. But new events, too. Including an entire week devoted to German beer in April and our next big event, February's Fasching!

EVENTS

That's right, Fasching -- what the Bavarians, specifically, call Carnival/Madri Gras -- is just around the corner. We'll have costumes and kids' fun and music and more. Look for our Facebook event page soon, and don't forget to indicate "going" and share.

ESSEN UND TRINKEN

Do you follow us on Instagram and Facebook?

instagram.com/bierkellercolumbia

facebook.com/bierkellercolumbia

if so, you know that this week we are breaking out the winter favorite Sauerbraten. Pair with a Rauchbock or a Weizenbock before these are gone.

We are also working on debuting a Stachelbier. What's a Stachelbier, you ask? It's this: Augustiner Stachelbier. Looks fun, no? We agree!

UPCOMING

As mentioned: our Czech Polotmavy and our Leichtbier (Sommerbier) are both on the horizon, and we've got our Bierhall ready to host private parties. Interested in reserving? Reach out to events@bierkellercolumbia.com and we'll get the ball rolling for you.

Prost!

2024 Bierkeller Year in Review...and What's to Come in 2025 (and Beyond)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:03:05 GMT

A Note from Our Owner, Scott Burgess

Over the past year, when people would ask me how we are doing, I usually defaulted to a recent meme.

Pictured in it are two Olympic shooters: one all decked out in gear and looking tense, and the other in a t-shirt and looking extremely chill. The meme read (respectively):

Small business owners in Year 1

Small business owners in Year 5

For most of 2024, I felt like Olympian #1. Recently I've begun to feel a bit more like Olympian #2.

That's a good thing. Because I can be my own toughest critic. Admittedly our goals are lofty. Create a brand new destination. Help develop the riverfront. Educate our fellow Columbians on German bier, food, and culture. Establish traditions (seasonal and year-round) that will carry on far into the future. Celebrate our city and its people.

While I honestly feel like we are accomplishing these goals -- step by step...day by day -- we certainly aren't resting on our laurels (more about those, below). And we've had some hiccups for sure. But in all, we are on track. Below we outline some highlights of the past 12 months. And know that, throughout it all, we have seen that none of this would be possible without all of you. So, Prost! Columbi-ja! To you. To all of us. To the Riverfront. To German bier. To our city. To 2024. And to 2025. And beyond.

ACCOLADES

We were honored to receive in our very first year a few awards. From the Free-Times, we were chosen Best Brewpub. We were runners up in Best New Bar/Club. And our humble founder and owner, won writers' choice for Best Local Business Owner. In Columbia Metropolitan Magazine we were voted runner up as Best Brewery. And in the inaugural Restaurant Olympic Summer Games, hosted by our friends at Hampton Street Vineyard, we won three medals. Cheers to the good folks who voted for us and to these publications and organizations!

EVENTS

Our annual Oktoberfest and Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Markets were, again, the biggest draws. But we broke out some new traditions for y'all that were successful beyond all expectations. Chief among these was probably our June Bratfest. What fun! But also, our February/March Fasching Party; our Bock & Roll Bockbier and Music Fest; our Vatertag and Armed Forces Celebration; our Mother's Day Market and Wine Down; our Anniversary Party; and our inaugural Canalfest were all hits. Wanna know what's on the horizon in 2025? Sign up for notifications by texting PROST to 85100, or simply follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

We also couldn't have enjoyed near the success we did without our multiple partners and collaborators. Whether the Columbia World Affairs Council with its Taste of the World event; the SC Brewers' Guild with its Beer Fest, the City of Columbia Animal Shelter with its Pups and Pints adoptions; the Congaree Riverkeeper with clean ups, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and their citizen counterpart, the Parks and Recreation Foundation; or the Governors Office, Gov McMaster, Sheriff Lott, and other local leaders with Workout Warriors. Or just the City of Columbia, and especially the office of Economic Development and Ryan Coleman. We'd be remiss not to mention our host, the Beach Company; our neighbors at Sola Station; our friends at UCB Bank; and other partner organizations such as Carolina Wildlife Center; Sandlapper BMW Club; Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer; GACC South; the Columbia Chamber of Commerce; The Jasper Project; ColaJazz; and others. We look forward to working with all of you (and more) in the coming years.

ESSEN UND TRINKEN

Bier. It's what we do. It's what we love. Not just the drink. The Biergarten setting. The Bierzelt tables and benches. The German ceramic steins and glass mugs. The seasonal fests. The whole dang culture and community and Gemütlichkeit it creates. It's our immense pleasure to brew the beverages that both accompany all these occasions and gently guide you through the days and weeks. We've kept up with our flagship Kellerbier, Weissbier, and (to a less-frequent degree) Kölsch; we've also broken out some familiar and new seasonal friends such as our spring Bockbier, Fastenbier, and Magerbier Helles; our summer Pilsner, Sommerbier, and Jubiläumsbier; our fall Festbier, Rauchbier, and Urhell; and now our Winter Rauchbock, Winterweizen, and Czech Amber Polotmavy. Wanna know what's coming when? Again, just sign up for our mailing list or follow us on social media for more soon.

We have also developed a new menu we will be debuting in the new year. You see, we thought we were opening a brewery with basic snacks. Turns out, we were opening a restaurant, too. And for those of you who didn't know (i.e., me), restaurants are hard work. And we've worked hard. To expand our offerings. To dial in recipes. To respond to your suggestions. And, again, we feel like we're more and more getting it right. But (again, again) we won't rest until we do. So, some changes have been made, and we'll be revealing more details on these very soon. Look for an updated and improved menu in the near future.

UPCOMING

We are heading right back into the seasonal swing with our February Fasching Party planning. But before that, we have a couple new beers to release: our Czech Polotmavy and our Leichtbier (Sommerbier). We'll soon be creating educational videos on beers and more and posting to our new YouTube channel. We've got our Bierhall ready to host private parties, and are working out the details on new private catering packages. We're launching more beers into distrbution, and we're getting our bottling processes back in order. So look for us in your favorite local bars, too. And look into what we can do for your organization's private functions by filling out a private event inquiry form for 2025 on our website at

www.bierkellercolumbia.com/events.

Most of all, we look forward to seeing all of your faces in our Bierhall and, before you know it, the Biergarten windows -- at our little slice of heaven along the Columbia riverfront. We love welcoming y'all, whether it's at a party, a planned fest, a proper happy hour, or anytime you can make it down. To help us create and carry on these new traditions, reach out any time to events@bierkellercolumbia.com, and we will make you part of the Bierkeller family.

A hearty and heartfelt PROST! to you, Columbi-ja. A sincere Danke Schön for 2024. And a happy and healthy 2025. And beyond.

-Scott

Bierkeller Newsletter Issue #3: The Year in Review (and What's to Come)

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 23:42:54 GMT

In Retrospect and Beyond...Day in, Day out.

It seems so much longer than a year that we were...

Wait. Where were we a year ago?

Oh, yeah. We were piles of earth, with some concrete, and big dreams. And a sleeping Sudhaus (brew system) waiting to be awakened. And a loose team of dedicated (and at times discombobulated) beer lovers. Bierkeller lovers.

Well, we awakened. And...here we are.

The End.

Kidding. It's just the beginning. And it still feels like we're just getting started. So read on, won't you? You will? Danke.

Quick recap: We got the doors open with a ton of help not only from our contractors (thanks, Sherer and Associates, Beach Company, UCB, Mashburn and Co., et al!), but also from our team. As in, we literally at times stamped this dream out of the ground. Out of those piles of dirt. We hung tiles; we cut and glued up sheet after sheet of FRP (look it up); we primed and painted (and painted again) paneling...on the walls and on the ceiling; we fusion welded pipes and connected clamps; we laid more tiles on the floor (and ripped them up and laid them again); and painted some more....

Among all of this, we tried our best to keep you all involved in our evolving progress. In our story.

Because without all of you, there'd be no story.

No Bierkeller.

But even more important to this, is the story of how our team came together during it all. It feels like a family. And that sounds cliched. But as I type, I see them in my mind's eye, downstairs serving and socializing with all of you and with each other. And laughing. Having fun. Making this thing into what it is. What it can become. Day-by-day (the only way anything true ever gets done). Day in, Day out.

So, first and foremost, to the Bierkeller team: thank you. thank you thank you thank you.

Now...what it is that team has accomplished. And the challenges we've faced.

We've sold you a ton of beer. Both the opening days (and weeks...and months) and the events have at times been beyond our wildest expectations. We've worked super hard to make our beer the best it's ever been. From trips to the Halletau in Bavaria to outings at the Munich Oktoberfest (for research purposes) to hours spent analyzing grain and yeast to learning this brand new brew system, the team has gone above and beyond. And we couldn't be happier with the results. And I couldn't be happier with them.

Thank you, Dr. Claire Hann (our Production Manager and recent PhD recipient in biology), for all your expertise and hard work (and companionship on these crazy trips). If there's one thing that has taken our beer to the next level, it's the work you've done with the yeast. Great beer isn't an accident, folks. It's folks like Claire who make good beer into great beer. Day in, day out.

We've also, well, made a realization: we're not a brewery with snacks. We're a full-fledged restaurant with a brewery attached. Y'all have scarfed down pounds and pounds of schnitzel, meters of sausages, mounds of sauerkraut, a plethora of pretzels. And we've adapted. And listened. And changed. And improved. Day in, day out.

To thank for this we have a whole crew and their collective expertise and experience: Justin Purdy (more about you later), Brian Morris (our Kitchen Manager and head chef), and our newest leader, Brent Bullard. But the brunt of this fell to Brian. And he stepped up time and time again. And continues to. Danke, Herr Morris. You've done a great job, day in and day out.

Getting all those beers into your glasses through probably the most unorthodox of pouring systems this side of Prague, is our Beer Hall queen bee, Jen McGehee. While we may have pushed her out of her beer expert comfort zone with tiling floors, she stepped up and held her own through it all (and there was much to hold one's own through, day in, day out). Bravo, queen bee.

Were it not for Jen, we may not have found our fabulous events manager, Brittany Jacobsen. What can we say about Brittany that hasn't been said already? Oh, we haven't said enough. Stay tuned. She's a phenom. Every day. Every event. From Oktoberfest (that was thrust on her with a very tight timeline) to our Weihnachtsmarkt, to the overall experience (both for customers and for all of us as a team). Day in, day out.

Back to Justin: he's been with Bierkeller since the beginning. From a fan hanging out under the Festzelt tents at our very first events to an invaluable supporter at our pop-ups to a canning companion during covid to, now, our Guy Friday. Our Operations Manager. Our stabilizing force on many days. Day in. Day out.

I'd of course be amiss not to mention our other owner, Sam Moses. Without him believing in a small Stange of Kolsch the way he did way back in...what was it, 2013? we wouldn't be, well...much more than a shed in a streetcar-suburb back yard. He navigated the legal (and other) pitfalls. He provided invaluable insights. And he found a lot of the financing that it takes to get an operation like this open. Prost, partner!

Then there's the rest of us. You know them. You love them (too). And they literally make this place run. I can name them all. But I prefer you come meet them for yourselves. They're great. Every day.

Day in. Day out.

And in the days to come. We've got so much we are already very excited about. From our first Fasching/Karnival (Mardi Gras) in February to our Bockbier Fest in March to our planned Canalfest in May to Bierkeller floats down the river in summer...back to our opening anniversary and oktoberfest and Christmas. Full circle, so to speak.

We're gonna do it all again, Columbi-Ja. As a team. A strong team that's getting stronger. That's thinking of you and what we can do to make your experience even better. That's working extra hard to get better and better.

Day in, day out.

Until then, we will see many of you in the coming days. From our European Early New Year's celebration to our Stammtisch Member Appreciation Party to new beer launches to...well, come along with us, won't you, and see. Day after day, we're here for you. Through Dry January (ouch...) and further into February and into the new year. What a journey it's already been.

And we're just getting started.

Vielen, herzlichen Dank, Columbi-Ja. Wir lieben Dich. Prost!

Bierkeller Newsletter: Issue #1

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 12:42:59 GMT

Willkommen, Bierkeller Fans! How Y'all Been?

Whew.

If we could sum up our experiences these first 90 or so days, that's probably the most succinct way to say it. What fun it's been, though, this whirlwind of an opening. And we have all of you to thank for that.

And believe us, it's not lost on us that among the...well...at times controlled chaos...some things may seem forgotten or neglected. (Ourselves included.) Trust us, though, when we say that we've been thinking of all of you (and at times, even ourselves) and how, when the dust settles, we can get back to basics a bit.

Hence this newsletter. Here we hope to keep all of you formally informed, twice a month, on initiatives new and old. So, without further ado....

Weihnachtsmarkt (starting 25 Nov): As you may have seen, Columbi-ja's newest riverfront holiday tradition begins on 25 Nov. And continues each weekend of Advent. Right here on the plaza at CanalSide. Right here at Bierkeller. Come experience the unique atmosphere of Germany's world-famous Christmas Markets. Highlights and activities include: shopping, local vendors, specialty seasonal foods, classic music, festive lights, hot mulled Glühwein (spiced red wine), hot chocolate, fire pits, and of course…beer! (Note to the kids: we're working with Santa to make an appearance. Stay tuned!) The Weihnachtsmarkt will run each weekend, from 12-10 on Saturdays and 11-6 on Sundays, and will be open for the duration of Advent, as tradition dictates.

Jazzkeller at Bierkeller (starting 14 Nov): Tuesdays at the River are a thing again. No, we're not reviving our pop-ups at the Park. But we are reviving Jazz. These evenings are FREE & OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC! Tues, 14 November, features the Dick Goodwin Quartet with Dick Goodwin (trumpet, keys), Greg Patterson (guitar), Sam Edwards (bass), and Brendan Bull (drums). Jazzkeller takes place every Tuesday, 11/14 - 12/19, from 6-8 pm.

Rauchbier Release and Dinner (21 Nov): How do you know when it's officially fall at Bierkeller? Because we're tapping our delicious, smoky Rauchbier. Join us Tuesday, 21 Nov, from 4 pm until 9 pm for liters, bottles, and even a special sit-down traditional dinner featuring the famed Bamberg onion (cored, sweet onion stuffed with minced pork and topped with bacon and smoke beer gravy; more details to follow). It's a real rite of passage, columbi-ja. So come drink the requisite amount and fall in love with this smoky speciality. Prost!

Resident Wednesdays (starting 15 Nov): Lucky enough to live at CanalSide/Sola Station and have Bierkeller as your neighbor? Celebrate this fact with us every Wednesday. All residents receive 10% off their check...just for living here! Just show your key card at purchase and drop us your apt and building number. Prost!

Wintergarten: With all of this activity and the weather turning colder, how are we gonna accommodate you people and keep you comfortable? With our Wintergarten winterization, of course. Think heated and walled tents; winterized Bistro seating; fire pits; and, of course, new winter menu items and...Glühwein! We're already in the process, so come check us out. Bring your drinking gloves if it's chilly.

Stammtisch Members: Last but certainly not least, we have some updates for you, our loyal Stammtisch subscribers. We feel like we dropped the ball on y'all. So we want to make it up to you. First, we want to formally invite you to a VIP party on 5 Dec from 4 pm until 9 pm to celebrate...all of you. We feel like y'all got a bit lost in the mix on these big opening and oktoberfest occasions and want to do something special. We also know that your plaques have been literally lost in the mix of some tables. We are working on new signs to indicate your tables are always CLEARLY reserved for y'all. And...we will be offering a permanent 10% discount on all food and beverage items to all of you. Just mention your name and table when you order and we'll get you covered. These are just a few ways of saying "thank you" and "es tut uns leid" to you, our long-time supporters.

Other Items: new and updated menu and daily food specials. new biers (roggenbier anyone?). new swag (hey dogs: we got some bandanas for y'all). german street food thursdays. and beer dinners.

Whew.

That's a lot. But we're finally feeling up for it. Join us, won't you?

Prost!

So. How's This (Gonna) Work?

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:25:56 GMT

...the second-most frequently asked question we hear...

When we open (which, as some of you already know, started yesterday...in soft-open form. pls have patience with us as we work out the kinks. and pls read on....), this is how it should go down for you, Bierkeller friends, family, and Stammtisch subscribers:

Arriving: Take Huger/Taylor (or follow your GPS) to the Canalside/Sola Station complex. You'll see the big entry gate with CANALSIDE across the top and our big flags hanging down either side. Enter through the gate and continue straight, following the flags, until you dead-end into Canalside St. The Biergarten will be right in front of you. If entering from RIverfront Park, follow the signs described below.

(FREE) Parking: Also right in front of you will be the first BIERKELLER PARKING ---> sign. Follow this sign until you see another one at the next dead-end. Follow it until you see the next sign. This one will point you into the Canalside Parking garage. Park anywhere in the garage. Level 1 can be full(ish) but there are 100s of empty (and shady) spots on levels 2, 3, 4, and 5. Surface parking also exists but is very limited. Again, all parking is FREE.

Entering the Biergarten: From the parking garage, exit by foot by following the signs to the southwest corner closest to the Canal. Signs read "Exit" and "Retail Walkway." Do not exit through the main entrance you drove through. That's the opposite direction. From the exits, you will be within sight of the Biergarten. The Biergarten can be entered through the small gate with the flower planters or really from any direction.

Seating: Find a seat anywhere and sit down. Well, anywhere that isn't reserved by our Stammtisch subscribers. Reserved Stammtisch tables are indicated by a set of small plaques on the bottom right-hand corners listing the group name(s), day(s), and time(s) they are reserved. If you arrive outside of any of those times, the tables can be used by non-Stammtisch guests. But if it is during a reserved time, please leave them open. If you are a Stammtisch subscriber, follow the written chart and instructions we sent through the client portal or reach out to us and we'll advise further. Only ca. 20% of our nearly 500 spots are reserved, so you'll almost certainly find a seat. The beauty of our (and any true) Biergarten is you can get "in" and relax even before you get your Bier and/or food. If you want to sit on the grass you are free to do so. If you want to stand along the plaza at most any spot, you are free to do that as well.

Eating...and Drinking: You have 2 main ways of getting Bier and food: the walk-up outside windows facing the Biergarten, or our indoor market-style counters. Both areas pour all our beers, but the outside Biergarten food menu serves a more limited selection. So...if you wanna stay outdoors and eat and drink there, you're set and settled in at this point. If you are seated inside, you can again grab a (non-stammtisch) seat, and serve yourself at our indoor service windows. There are 6 total windows: 3 for beer (year-round, seasonals, and guest beers and wines (and sodas)); and 3 for food (snacks, salads and sandwiches, and sausages and mains like schnitzel and rotisserie chicken). If you want just beer or beer and food, enter the line far left and proceed down the line selecting your drink(s) and meals from the windows. If you want food only, enter near the center of the line and proceed down the line to pay. Signage will direct you here as well.

Paying: You can pay with card or with our traditional Biertokens. You can also buy additional Biertokens at the payment stations/windows. THERE IS NO LONGER A TOKEN TENT, so purchase at the payment stations. Tokens are sold in sets of 4. As an added bonus, you get a small discount for using tokens. So stock up. If you have old tokens, we still accept those. As we've said many times over the years, they're always good. We accept all major forms of payment and cash.

Relaxing: When you have your seat and your beer and your food and your tokens, simply sit back and relax. Whether you're seated in our shaded Biergarten, in our Bistro section along the canal and under the awnings, or inside in our spacious and welcoming (and gemütlich) Bierhall, you're gonna want to settle in and stay a while. As is done in traditional Biergartens throughout Germany.

And, now, right here in our fair city.

PROST! Columbi-Ja!

( NOTE: The first few weeks we will be in soft-open mode. That means we're still working out the kinks and have a limited beer and food menu at times. Please be patient as we learn together. Prost.

Soft Opening News...

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:54:05 GMT

...and Other News

We have some not-so-good-news, some not-so-bad news, and some better news. The not-so-good news is that despite our best efforts, we won't be able to make the 25 July soft open and VIP party date. We know that many of you have made plans to attend and were counting on this date. We tried everything we could, but circumstances just dictated otherwise. We're sorry and as frustrated as we know you must be. The not-so-bad news is that we are working hard to make the opening a matter of a few extra days or weeks and not months. But we also will not be able to make the planned 29 July opening. When we do finally get the doors open and the taps flowing (we want to wait until we know the beer is gonna turn out right before we set a final date), we will host a series of soft opening nights (and days) where everyone is invited to attend. During these soft opening days/weeks, the general public will be welcome to try everything out, and our Stammtisch Subscribers will be able to test the full experience with all the promised perks. Thereafter (the better news), we will host the full catered VIP and Stammtisch subscriber party we promised. We know this throws a wrench in the works for many of you. But we look forward to seeing you seated at your Stammtisch on your reserved days very soon, and then all together as we celebrate the culmination of this crazy journey. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us at any time. Thanks again for your support and understanding.

--Scott Burgess

Einfach/Zweifach

Sat, 13 May 2023 00:13:36 GMT

Simple (x 2)

Einfach/Zweifach

Yes, we knew building a truly authentic German brewery and riverfront biergarten wouldn't be simple, or einfach . And yes, we knew the old adage that when opening a business -- such as, say, an authentic German brewery and riverfront biergarten -- you should plan to pay double what you estimate and for opening to take twice as long ( zweifach ).

So, to put it simply, the original four months we were planning that would have allowed us to open in March have doubled, putting us in (yes) July. Specifically July 29. That will be our Grand Opening. Soft opening events -- of which you have all been very supportive -- will take place on July 25.

We could simply default to quoting old adages to explain. But, truth be told, we have a different explanation. One that you may have heard before.

At Bierkeller, we like to do things right. Better said, we insist on it. We take the time and the extensive (and exhausting) effort to make sure things are right. We don't take shortcuts. We don't rush. We do this for you. But we also do it for us. And we think -- and we hope you (still) do, too -- that the final results are worth it all. Worth the wait.

So please bear with us as we make our best extended effort to make our little riverfront brewery and biergarten the best it can be. We feel like we're on the way.... To providing our city and its citizens with the best possible beer, food, and overall experience anyone could possibly expect. Right here. Just not quite right now.

Meanwhile, we will be here working away (on boilers and bureaucracy and, finally, the freshest, best-crafted beers available). And we will bring them to you as the Columbia summer starts its slow march toward autumn (and Oktoberfests and other fall delights). That's about the same way/timeframe we started on this journey 6 years ago. And while some things may not be ideal, our ideals are intact. And we'll get to the finish line. Or the starting line. Together.

Prost, Columbi-Ja! And see you soon.

(Stammtisch members: your year-long reservations will of course start with our new opening date and not the one you saw in the original terms & conditions; everything else in terms of benefits and perks stay the same. If you have any questions, reach out to us anytime.)

Einfach...Zweifach

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 23:32:22 GMT

"When will you be open...?"

We've been hearing this question a lot lately. And with good reason. You see, we had said that around this time we'd be beginning our series of opening events. And here we are, nearing the end of March, and...we're not quite ready.

When we were contract brewing, people used to ask us: "When will the next batch of [insert your favorite, delicious Bierkeller beer here] be ready?" And we'd answer: "When it's ready." Back then we had the luxury of being able to bide our time a bit. We wanted everything to be perfect. (We're kinda weird that way.) And so we wouldn't rush it.

Now, we're rushing it. Not the beer. But the build-out. But...we're still not ready. At least not here at the end of March.

When we believe we will be ready is May. That's when we now have our soft opening, VIP and press (and resident) parties, and grand opening/Richtfest scheduled. This, too, depends on other things being ready. Like steam condensers we didn't know we needed, and circuit breakers stuck in customs at the Port of Charleston getting freed up by the agents.

But we digress.

For now, we plan on opening in early to mid May. And we are doing our damndest to get us all there. Here. Under the greening trees and beside the rushing river(s) and up to the open beer/food counter.

We apologize for the delay. Truly.

In the meantime, we have some surprises for you insiders.

This week, we'll be opening up orders for Stammtische. What are Stammtische? They are the way traditional German Bierhalls and Biergartens reward their most loyal customers. With a spot (actually a full table, or Tisch for the regulars, or Stamm(kunden)) that's reserved for you and your group at a specific time, all the time. Like, with a fancy plaque announcing as much. In the location of your choice (in the Bierhall, Biergarten, or Bistro setting). And a spot for your favorite mug in a locked display case on site. And discounts. Etc. Etc.

So let's consider the Stammtische the first in our series of pre-opening events, shall we? We'll be taking reservations from you all who've supported us so loyally for so long soon. Look for the announcement this coming week, and start picking out your spot so that when we finally throw open the gates and doors, you'll be ready to settle right in with your favorite, delicious Bierkeller beer and your old friends and Bierkeller family.

We can't wait, Columbi-ja. Prost!

Of Biergartens, Belgian Cafes, and Boilers...

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 13:32:24 GMT

OK, let us catch our collective breath....

Whew. What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been, Columbi-ja. Between the tiring work of tiling walls in the style of Franconian brewhouses to setting up service areas to emulate Austrian monastic beer/dining halls to the more boring bureaucratic hoop-jumping required before we serve a drop of beer...it seems like we've been doing it all. And yet, there's more to do. For now, though, the main pieces are in place, the tanks awaiting their game of Tetris while we map out where final pipes are gonna fit, and the chairs holding out for their IKEA-style hex key assembly.

In short, it's still looking like end of March for a Richtfest/soft opening. So that's nice.

But progress hasn't been without its setbacks. For one, our boiler took a bit of a roughing up during transport. So much so that we're wary of its ability to function properly. If there's one piece of equipment I've been most tentative around, its these pressurized steam-heating behemoths. So we have been forced to find alternatives...and believe we have now done so. But testing (and cleaning and inspecting) is first in order. So we've been focused on that, too.

Fingers crossed.

For something a bit more fun, we've let our imagination go a bit beyond our usual borders and stolen some more ideas. (Remember, friends: "great artists steal; mediocre ones borrow.") This time not from Teutonic taverns or monastic mess halls, but from another of our favorite hangout spots: Belgian cafes. Some of the details will have to remain under wraps for now, but imagine the canal-facing facade of our new Bierkeller brewery looking like a Belgian/European beer cafe. Relaxing views of Columbia's rivers from small(er) tables...cozy seating under canvas canopies...all for you to enjoy while consuming the freshest European-style beer/wine and food you can find east (and west) of the Congaree. Gets us pretty psyched and excited. How about you?

Not to worry, though: our traditional Biergarten set up will remain in full form along the plaza and under the trees.

So, in the interest of keeping, well...your interest...we'll end there for now. Much more still is in store, so stay tuned. And thanks for all your support, Columbi-ja. We couldn't be doing any of this without you.

PROST!

...this little brewery has weissbier...

bierkellercolumbia@gmail.com (Scott Burgess) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:00:51 GMT

(...after this little brewery stayed home from the market for a week...)

after a brief hiatus, we're back this week at soda city market, columbi-ja. what a joy it was to see all of the new and familiar faces at our first foray. we handed out some samples; we sold some swag; we told some stories about the new space. and...we can't wait to see you all again this saturday, 5 november, from 9-1. last time we warmed your bellies with what's left of our strong bockbier. this week we will refresh with what's left of our weissbier. so come grab a (minuscule) "mug" and check out the goings-on. there's been some significant progress on the build-out, and we'll be happy to tell you all about it. in the meantime, consider doing us a huge favor. if you love and miss us and aren't afraid if the whole world (or at least the majority of the midlands) knows, drop us a brief review on your favorite platform: google, facebook, whatever. it'll give us that much more momentum going into the coming months. oh, we'll still lay kinda low in many regards. we're just like that, you know. but it's been your word-of-mouth that's gotten us where we are today, and will help us grow into the biggest and best version of bierkeller we can be. prost! and see you saturday!

This Little Brewery Went to Market

bierkellercolumbia@gmail.com (Scott Burgess) — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 20:03:05 GMT

Sola City -- and Bierkeller -- at Soda City...

It's a post...and a poster! Prost!

Hello there, Columbi-ja. As promised, we're up to stuff. First, though, let us thank you for subscribing to our updates. As promised, we won't be spamming your account with ads. Instead, we'll be adding announcements of our accounts of progress to our blog. And what are we announcing today? That this coming Saturday, 22 October, from 9-1, we'll be set up at Soda City Market to meet, greet, and treat you all. Come by to say hi. Stay and chat a while. We're happy to fill you in on the goings on. We'll even pour you a sample of bier...to keep things interesting (we can sometimes dive deep into details, so bier helps when you're listening...we think).

While you're hanging out, check out our new swag and glassware. Maybe even take some home. The nights are getting chilly. You'll need a hoodie. Or an extra shirt. Definitely a new glass or ceramic mug to pour a chilled beer into. It's Columbia, after all, so one or more of these nights is bound to be a bit less than chilly...so bring the chill yourselves.

News on the ground is that ground is being broken. Pipes laid. Grease traps positioned. And, soon, floors poured and tanks delivered. But we'll tell you all the details at the market. Come see us and catch up!

It's Been a While, Columbi-Ja....

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:19:31 GMT

Hallo there, Columbi-Ja. How ya been? Oh yeah? Wow. We've been...well, busy. Believe it or not. We know you're interested in hearing about our progress (of which there has been quite a bit...all appearances to the contrary), so why don't we get right to that? Oh, first, though, let us say it's great to be talking with you all again. We've missed the interaction. But, without further ado....

Delays
Delays...we've had a few....

We expected some, to be sure. We didn't expect them to happen in the planning stages. The bad news is that these have likely set our opening date back from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. There's simply nothing we could do to avoid that, unfortunately. Man, the planning that has to go into putting together a puzzle like this is enormous. That said....

Progress
The unforeseen obstacles did give us time to get all our other ducks in a row: city permitting is complete; construction contract is ready; brewing equipment is about to be loaded onto the boat. And, yes, the laying of pipes and pouring of floors is about to begin. So next time you come by for a sneak peek over at CanalSide Plaza, you'll likely actually see some action happening.

Plans
What did we say about planning pauses? Just because one area got held up doesn't mean you can't still be plotting. As some of you may have seen, we went back to Germany and Austria for Oktoberfest...and for the Drinktec Conference...where we gathered and refined more ideas. We hope and trust that all this hard work means we may be able to celebrate with you all. As in with a Richtfest party before our official opening....

What's a Richtfest?
Basically it's a "roof-raising" celebration. So, when the construction has begun and the main roof beams raised -- or the first beers brewed (and all the licenses issued) -- Germans will celebrate. What we hope, therefore, is that despite the delays, we will be celebrating a Richtfest sooner rather than later.

Stay tuned for details, and thanks again for checking in. If you want to receive notifications about our further progress, you can text PROST to 85100. We will keep the lines of communication open from now on, so we look forward to talking with -- and seeing -- you soon.

Prost, Columbi-Ja!