Beer, Wine & Spirits in Hilton Head Island

Beneath the shade of oak trees bearing Spanish moss, Irvin~House Vineyards' owners Jim and Ann Irvin concoct five award-winning wines from four varieties of muscadine grape grown and harvested on their 48-acre property. Each batch fills bottles adorned with labels crafted by local Charleston artists before visitors sample their muscadine-rich flavors during tastings and tours. In addition to weekly winery sessions, the Irvins enthrall community members and wine connoisseurs alike with varied events, such as bluegrass and grape-stomping festivals, held on land that shelters a renovated party barn, flower and vegetable garden, chicken coop, and outdoor picnic area. The Irvins' acreage also accommodates Firefly Distillery, which supplies tastings of its Firefly vodka and Sea Island rum to curious visitors and marooned pirates bemoaning their empty flasks.

Try as they might, home brewers cannot transform barley and hops into bubbly craft brews with the flick of a switch or a hearty whistle. For tools, equipment, and advice, brewers congregate at the Savannah Home Brew Shop, where they can sniff and sample specialty grains, yeast, and malts from Crosby & Baker. Students stock up on shiny new brewing equipment from Foxx while scouring available brewing books and magazines for the up-to-date trends and tips. The staff at Savannah Home Brew Shop can guide novices through their first fermented steps with home-brewing kits, as well as starter kits and supplies for wine makers. Seasoned brewers load up on brand-name liquid or dry yeasts, and hoist bulk bags of dry grain on their shoulders as they try to outrun the sprightly Saint Paulie girl that just stole their stein.