Pioneering Columbia craft brewery closing after a decade in business

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One of Columbia’s pioneering craft breweries is closing its doors after a decade in business.

Owners of River Rat Brewery announced on Facebook on Monday, Dec. 5, that they will close the brewery at 1231 Shop Road near Williams Brice Stadium effective Dec. 30. No specific reason was given.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of River Rat Brewery,” the posting read. “We want to thank all of our wonderful customers and employees for supporting us … RRB grew organically over these last 10 years and what a pleasure it was to serve the great community of Columbia and beyond. Friendships were made that will last a lifetime.”

The post also noted that various discounts on merchandise and beer at the brewery will be available.

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Attempts to reach the owners of River Rat were unsuccessful.

The brewery’s location on Shop Road made it a prime stop for fans heading to USC football games and its proximity to downtown also made it a popular destination for everyone from college students to families. River Rat regularly hosted popular events such as Oktoberfest celebrations.

This announcement makes the second December in a row that the capital city has lost one of its landmark craft brewers. Swamp Cabbage Brewery, which opened in 2014 and was located off Brookwood Drive near Williams-Brice and the State Fairgrounds, abruptly closed its doors on Dec. 18, 2022.

Another of the city’s original breweries, Conquest Brewing Co., closed the doors at its Stadium Road location in 2019. When it opened in 2012 Conquest was the city’s first production brewery since Prohibition.