Upcountry Brewing Company is looking to be that local haunt where you can grab a bite to eat as well as spend the day. In addition to food, craft beer and live music, there just seems to always be something going on, whether it’s yoga on the spacious back deck, a cornhole game on the front porch or a gathering of amateur musicians for open mic night.
The menu is not extensive here, but what they offer they do well. (Not a bad precedent for a brewery restaurant.) The menu focuses on bar food, burgers, sandwiches and salads. There are also three different kinds of hot dogs. Sides include tater tots and fries. Although meat is king here, vegetarians don’t have to skip this fun establishment. The sweet potato “burger” is delicious.
On the down side, the service in both the restaurant and bar can definitely be a somewhat spotty and the acoustic system needs attention. The static and feedback was certainly a distraction the last time we visited.
In addition to the big outdoor, multi-purpose deck, facilities at this local hangout include a game room and a bar area with several large screens. The brewery hosts a regular schedule of local musicians from a variety of music genres. (See the brewery’s website calendar for the current schedule.)
A few of our favorite menu items at Upcountry Brewing Company include:
Fried Pickle Slices
Yes, we know they are decadent, but these crunchy, spicy, pieces of cucumber are so good. They are hand-battered and come with a jalapeno ranch dipping sauce.
Pork Belly Tacos
This new spin on an old favorite is delicious with a variety of unexpected flavors. The rich pork combines well with the piquant salsa, candied pieces of jalapeno, lime sour cream and feta cheese. The sprigs of fresh cilantro top give these an exotic, Tex-Mex vibe. We could eat a dozen of these.
Carolina Dog
In our opinion, this is the best item on the entire menu. The foot-long, all-beef hot dog is grilled and topped with a combination of spicy, house-made chili, horseradish cole slaw, fried onions and a BBQ ranch sauce. Admittedly, it’s a little messy, but well worth the clean up afterwards.
Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Pizza
Cooked over an open fire, all of the pizzas here are good, but our favorite is the BBQ chicken pizza. This delicious concoction features A 12″ topped with BBQ chicken, pineapple, caramelized onion, mozzarella, cheddar jack cheese and bacon. The crust is thin with just a slight crunch to it. Yummy!
Bogey Free Session IPA Beer
We enjoy this tasty IPA in the afternoons, when you want a full-flavored but not overpowering beer. It’s refreshing with a slight citrus finish.
Insider Tips:
-The back deck at Upcountry is dog-friendly and the menu even includes dog treats like chicken jerky and the dog buddha bowl, a mixture of apples, rice, chicken, sweet potatoes and egg. There’s no reason to leave your best friend home alone.
-All day Saturday is busy here and great for people watching. If you’d prefer a quiet place to sip a brew, visit on a weekday afternoon instead.