This piece is part of our GVLtoday Q+A series.
It’s no secret Greenville has a great craft beer scene. We were even named one of the “20 Best Beer Towns” by TravelMag. In honor of #DrinkUpGreenville week, we’re talking with a mover + shaker in the craft beer community, Nate Tomforde.
Nate — the owner of Southernside Brewing Co. and Double Stamp Brewery + the founder of Crafted Community Concepts, Greenville’s first local brewery group (think: restaurant group, but for beer) — is a businessman who loves craft beer.
He joined us to answer nine questions about his past, how it got him to his present + a peek at his future (including a new brewery announcement).
How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had the drive to create businesses, unique concepts, and services. Like many people, I started my own landscaping company as a kid. Then I started a clothing line in college + two coffee shops and cafes in my early 20s. Eventually, I decided I wanted to use my physiology degree, so I started my own occupational therapy clinic to help children with learning disabilities, followed by four years in orthopedic medical device sales. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with craft beer. The local community and culture surrounding it made me want to open a taproom. I founded the self-serve beer concept Pour Taproom in 2014 + went on to open more than a dozen craft beer taprooms, breweries, and restaurants since then. I currently own Chucktown Brewery in Charleston and Double Stamp Brewery + Southernside Brewing Co. in Greenville, with a few more future projects in the work as well.
You mention future projects — any details you can share?
I am excited to announce I have plans to open a new brewery, bar, and restaurant concept in the heart of the BridgeWay Station development in Mauldin. BridgeWay Brewing Co. will be a 6,000+ square foot restaurant + bar with four duckpin bowling lanes and a full brewery on-site. We hope to open our doors in Spring 2023. Just like all of the other concepts in my local brewery group, Crafted Community Concepts, our goal is to create a family-friendly environment where everyone feels welcome, and people can gather to enjoy high-quality craft beer and delicious food. One of the things I’m most excited about is that the Swamp Rabbit Trail will eventually extend to BridgeWay, and once it does, all 3 of my Upstate breweries will be connected by the trail. I can’t think of a better way to be embedded in the community.
Describe your perfect day in Greenville in the length of a Tweet (280 characters)
Family bike ride up to Swamp Rabbit Grocery for breakfast. Ride to Travelers Rest + back to Unity Park for lunch and beer. Dinner at CAMP + a concert at The Peace Center.
Name 3-5 other local leaders, influencers, or movers + shakers you’re watching and/or inspired by.
Councilman John DeWorken, Andy Lewis, Carl Sobocinski, Shawn Johnson
You can only choose ONE local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which one is it and why?
It’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say CAMP because that’s where my wife and I usually go for date night. Carl is one of the driving forces behind Greenville’s thriving restaurant scene between his awesome line-up of restaurants and staring euphoria, and I have a ton of respect for Chef Drew and what he’s been able to accomplish at such a young age.
What were the last three things you did locally?
- Drank a beer at Community Tap
- Played miniature golf at Group Therapy
- Ate dinner at CAMP
What do you think Greenville will be known for in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope Greenville is known as a city that truly cares about everyone who lives here, regardless of age, income level, occupation, or interest. I want Greenville to be known as a place that cares for its citizens by providing unique solutions + opportunities for all the different types of people that live here.
Rapid fire! Where are your favorite places to get the following + what are you ordering?
- Coffee: Methodical | Medium or dark roast cup of joe
- Wine: Fork & Plough | Pinot Noir
- Beer: Double Stamp Brewery | Grizzly Adams Beard Hazy IPA
- Cocktail: Paloma | Manhattan
- Something nonalcoholic: Clare’s Creamery | Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
What’s your favorite thing about Greenville?
The people who live here and the pride so many of us have in our community. Greenville is such an amazing place to live, and we have so many people who care about each other and lift each other up. Our small business community is one of collaboration over competition and we support each other however we can. It seems like every day we find new reasons to love where we live.
