The Whale A Craft Beer Collective

World-class beer selection and genuine hospitality, The Whale is a must visit destination for beer lovers in Charleston!

Very knowledgeable bartend who is passionate about craft beer. Top tier draft beer selection. Great live music venue.

Cool spot to grab a beer and they have live performances outside. They also served beer from everywhere but Charleston. Oh and the T-shirts have top tier graphics. Highly recommend if you don’t want the big crowds and a nice beer.

The hospitality was amazing. I didn't have any drinks though

I've been to the whale a number of times, even saw Yung Gravy at the Refinery once and came back for a drink. I'm a big fan of this spot for a few reasons:

Service: the bartenders are always friendly, funny, professional and knowledgeable of what they serve.

Beer list: there's no shortage of exotic or niche picks. They have a rotating tap and a plethora of cans and bottles from countries all over the world. In one of my pictures I'm drinking a beer from Tasmania.

The vibe: great music, dimly lit with a purple neon light, and every time I have gone it's very quiet.

11/10 would recommend. I'm almost scared too many people will find this place.

Best craft beer stop in town

The Whale, A Craft Beer Collective, is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem, but not in the cheesy way. A local told me about it, so I knew it had to be legit. Tucked inside The Refinery building, the space is small, cozy — limited seating indoors, but they’ve got a solid outdoor setup for when the weather’s right. It’s dog-friendly, so if your pup’s along for the ride, they’re in.

The area around it is cool — industrial vibes, and though I popped in on a Tuesday night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it’s a spot where live music could make it an even better hang. Imagine sipping a well-crafted beer while a local act takes the stage. That would be the cherry on top.

Parking’s a breeze, and there’s a train station nearby. Sure, the trains roll by and make some noise, but it’s part of the charm. It's one of those places you’ll want to visit, especially if you’re craving craft beer and a bit of local flavor.

Amazing craft beer experience !

Great selection of craft beer. Brandon was super knowledgeable on everything they offered . Definitely coming back.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Great atmosphere. Pop-Up events with local vendors are awesome. I live almost an hour away, and it's worth the drive.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Tons of beers to choose from with knowledgeable staff. Definitely check it out!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Hands down, best beer selection in Charleston.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Beer was great

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

The Whale is essentially a beer tasting collective. It offers a large number of locally brewed beer on tap as well as an extensive collection of canned and bottled local brews. It’s inside The Refinery and has a nice minimalist vibe bar area and out side tables on a large elevated patio. We were there for a late afternoon beer tasting before dinner and were well served by the variety of offerings and a competent bartender. Plenty of onsite parking and food options include the adjacent restaurant and transient food trucks. This is a good addition to the charleston beer community and we recommend a visit. It gets four clams on the coveted Five Quahog Rating Scale.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Christian the bartender is the most friendly and personable bartender I’ve met in awhile. Very professional and knowledgeable and kept the night entertaining.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5