Tideland Brewing Taking Craft Beer Road Less Traveled Approach

Owner & Brewer Hunter Eisele Prefers to Think Outside the Box When Creating Brews

Jeff Walker, Business Review

A little over nine years ago a craft brewing dream began to formalize for Hunter Eisele. The low country resident had been working as a paramedic for Charleston County when an unforeseen medical condition sidelined him for six months in 2015.

Not long after completing rehab he partnered with two other investors, opening Twisted Cypress Brewing (March 2017) on Sam Rittenberg west of the Ashley. Although they attracted a core following, with their craft brew concept not finding a wider audience they decided to shut down in May of 2019.

As his partners decided to move on, Eisele a craft beer enthusiast was determined to the ‘give it the old college try’, opting to find another location, hoping his sophomore attempt would bring better success. Whether it was fate or destiny, Holy City Brewing was growing and decided to relocate from their original site to a newer facility just off Spruill Avenue near the Old Village of North Charleston.

You see where this is going. With an established craft beer template already in place, Eisele leveraged to take over the location at 4155 Dorchester Road, and the genesis for Tideland Brewing was founded. However, Eisele and the rest of the world couldn’t foresee COVID 19 on the 2020 horizon, which obviously threw a monkey wrench into his immediate plans.

With all the uncertainties that ensued, including ever changing health and safety guidelines especially concerning the food and beverage industry, it appeared Eisele’s dream would fizzle out before it took off. But even a global epidemic didn’t deter him from eventually creating some of the best beers to emerge over the past two years in greater Charleston.

Adhering to strict regulations during the past couple of years Eisele met every challenge head on, managing to garner a small following that soon became core craft brew patrons, with the word on the street growing even faster. Now with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, Eisele is busy brewing a half dozen signature beers, while continually rotating a bevy of brews that find favor among low country palates.

Although many local breweries focus on a variety of IPA’s (India Pale Ales), Tideland Brewing is rather unique, offering up a hefty array off stouts, porters, and an incredible dark IPA. Not to worry though, Tideland Brewing also dispense several distinctive golden hued and ‘hoppier’ IPA’s that have become a favorite of beer drinkers in the 21st century.

Among Tideland’s light-colored brews are Tide One On, a salute to the classic Mexican lager brewed with flaked maize (corn) and Motueka hops that help add just the right amount of citrus zest. The Other Side is a dry hop brewed IPA reminiscent of the pungent citrusy blends hailing from America’s west coast. Both great on a hot day, or with any of their select handheld menu items.

Perhaps two of their most popular craft brews pay homage to the great German beers. Banana Hammock a straw-colored wheat beer infused with hints of banana and clove from Bavarian yeast extracts is among Tideland’s most preferred. Not to be outdone, the Paddler’s Pils crafted from German hops is a sweet and robust Bohemian Pilsner. Separate but interesting German influenced beers!

Two of Tideland Brewing’s beers that come from different spectrums are the Belgian Beach Blonde and the New Moon Black IPA. While BBB is a less hoppy fruit pale beer, the New Moon is a rare dark IPA that carries a suggestion of caramel and citrus, providing a distinct nutty taste.

As awesome as the aforementioned brews are, Tideland Brewing embrace the ‘dark side’ of craft beers, and currently turn out seven signature blends on a regular rotation that pay tribute to great stouts and porters found in English pubs and in taverns across America. If you crave beers with character Tideland Brewing will not disappoint.

While I feel certain all seven rise to the occasion, a select four are off the brew charts. Paddy’s Propper Pint is a creamy full-bodied blend that mirrors Irish stouts. It is easily not confused with the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Stout crafted from Reese’s and Ghirardelli Chocolate. A great combination of three great tastes, peanut butter, chocolate, and dark beer. Need I say more!

Looking for hearty porters that are easy to drink. The Vanilla Portside carries a hint of vanilla, while the straight up Port Side Porter conveys a suggestion of caramel, chocolate, and toffee. All are awesome.

Want a craft beer with a caffeine punch, the Up All Knight reflects a rich coffee flavor using roasted beans from Charleston Coffee Exchange. And for bourbon lovers the Barrel Aged Portside Lager is a smooth and vigorous porter barrel sourced in local wooden kegs from High Wire Distilling. Beers brewed with coffee and whiskey. Freakin’ exhilarating taste sensations!

As incredible as their craft beer lineup is, Tideland Brewing offers a pleasant menu of salads, handheld appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers that are an ideal complement to their cold brews. The Jumbo Wings are as imagined and a kick ass companion to your favorite beer. Dry rub smoked with your choice of BBQ, Carolina Mustard, Hot, or Garlic Parmesan dipping sauce.

Dropping in with your best friend or significant other, perhaps split the Tideland Sampler, an ample array of fried and house pickles alongside cheese curds with pimento cheese. Great pop in your mouth treats that go down easy with an IPA or light beer.

If you’re ordering the Tideland Smash Burger (twin patties topped with American cheese, house made sauce & bacon jam) or their Pulled Pork Sandwich slathered in slaw and house made IPA Carolina mustard, then I highly recommend the Loaded Tots stuffed with pilsner beer cheese as the side. Complete the meal with hearty dark beer and leave fully satisfied.

Feeling adventurous their signature Tideland Burger comes topped with a shrimp cake. Sides start at $4. Appetizers run $8-$18, with entrees $11-$19. Depending on your favorite beer it will run anywhere from $6 to $8.

Several of Tideland Brewing’s signature beers including Banana Hammock and Other Side IPA can be found in local watering holes, convenience stores, and your favorite supermarkets. Be on the lookout when you’re shopping at Lowe’s Foods, Earth Fare, Bottles, Big T’s and at The Biergarten on East Bay in downtown Charleston.  Maybe ask your bartender next time you pop in your neighborhood eatery.

While Holy City Brewing left Tideland a workable blueprint, Eisele discovered a hidden gem at the backside of the property, turning an un-used oversized lot into a secluded open air courtyard, where patrons can play cornhole or giant connect four all in a welcoming environment. Need an awesome place to have a social, than the Tideland’s courtyard might fit the bill.

Their main hall is an open and spacious industrial tavern with plenty of seating and three oversized garage doors that open to a concrete patio, all secluded by a wooden fence. Nice surroundings to enjoy a cold beverage with midday lunch or meet up with friends after work.

Hunter Eisele and his staff with Tideland Brewing haven’t re-invented the craft beer wheel, but they have taken different paths on the brew journey, which in turn has allowed for some really inventive beers. If you prefer some intriguing IPAs alongside a unique array of dark beers I suggest you give them a try.

Tideland Brewing’s address is most definitely located 4155 Dorchester Road, but you won’t be able to see them from the street. They share that address with Champion Honda BMW Ducati. Look for the motorcycle business out front and follow the side alley back past Palmetto Collision and you’ll find a craft brewery you’ll no doubt put on your ‘visit regularly list’. Enjoy and drink responsibly.

Tideland Brewing is open Wednesday & Thursday 11-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11-10pm, and Sunday 11-9pm. Enjoy a nice brunch, Tideland serves up a mix of breakfast & lunch on the weekends from 11-3pm. I recommend their breakfast burger. You can bet the couple of days they’re closed they are busy crafting their magical brew elixirs for loyal customers. Visit them online at https://tidelandbrewing.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TidelandBrewing/

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