Whit Suber and Nick Borreggine

The Port Royal Community Beer Garden
Location + Food + Beer + Music = A Great Time

story by WENDY NILSEN POLLITZER      photos by PAUL NURNBERG

The Port Royal Community Beer Garden is the brainchild of Whit Suber and Nick Borreggine. It’s different from the average brews and tunes on the green concept. Why? Community and location. The undeveloped tract of land in downtown Port Royal, sitting idly as COVID-19 reared its ugly face to the United States, was the perfect spot for a collaboration of music, food, fellowship, and, of course, beer. The idea was simple: allow a safe area for people to gather around socially distanced picnic tables, invite restaurants to take orders and deliver to the numbered tables, and provide a beer wagon and music to bring back some sort of pre-COVID entertainment to the community.

The idea emerged into reality in April, when restaurants were closed due to a state-ordered mandate. Businesses were suffering as curbside pick-up was the only option for those restaurants able to employ enough of a stable staff to execute food orders. Whit and Nick invited all Port Royal restaurants to participate, and the public was asked to place orders to be delivered to their assigned, numbered tables. It worked brilliantly. And the added bonus? Overflowing suds, rockin’ chords and lyrics, vivid sunsets, and a dependable breeze over Battery Creek. Madison’s, Agave, Smokehouse and Fat Patties participated, and before long, the community had a place to safely congregate, dance, and mingle with no cover charge. Nancy Suber, Whit’s wife, emphasized, “The beer garden kept me sane and provided a sense of normalcy during that crazy time.”

When Governor McMaster lifted restrictions on SC dining establishments on May 11, local restaurants were able to restaff and get back to business with limited seating. Over the course of a couple weeks, it became difficult for restaurants to accommodate both delivery to the beer garden and business as usual. Whit and Nick then invited food trucks every weekend, which became the long-term solution to a community-oriented model for outdoor fun.

Originally located on the site of the Port of Port Royal, where many festivals are usually held in cooler months, Whit and Nick quickly determined the area was too hot for summer gatherings. They moved to 1313 13th Street, on the bluff of Battery Creek, just beyond the former railroad trestle. The temperature there on a hot day is at least 20 degrees cooler than the greater Beaufort area, and the view welcomes breathtaking westward sunsets, overlooking the Parris Island bridge amidst a Lowcountry jungle of Spanish moss, palmettos, and sweet magnolias.

In fact, this spot is so magical, there is unconfirmed, yet believable speculation, that it’s the original location of Jean Ribaut’s settlement before he sailed back to France. There is a slew nestled among mature live oaks, where it is believed that the ship’s v-berth anchored at high tide beneath the bluff, so that the crew could consistently work and sleep on the boat.

Location+Food+Beer+Music=A Great Time. So now, Whit and Nick were able to concentrate on their own talents to make sure this formula continued to flourish. Whit, a developer by trade and music aficionado by life choice, wanted to bring well-known acts to the stage as a friendly venue for live music.

“Everyone here goes to downtown Beaufort for a night out. Nick and I wanted to offer a complementary setting as an alternative decision for folks who appreciate live music,” explains Whit. “Port Royal does festivals very well, and we wanted to piggyback on that concept with a relaxed atmosphere for entertainment.”

Whit adds, “Many bands are doing the East Coast circuit and moving back and forth from Atlanta to Charlotte to Charleston to Savannah. Why not Port Royal? It takes a while for a venue to get a solid reputation with the audience and the bands. We had a great opportunity during COVID to start building that reputation.”

And they have. Headliners like The Orange Constant, Heather Gillis, Tire Fire, and Whiskey Wolves of the West have performed recently. Local favorites Irritating Julie, Ed Walter, Ashley Holland, Eric Daubert, and Brother Tonic perform on a regular basis. And there are many well-known acts on the horizon: Soda City Brass Band and The Billy Grapes, to name a few. Have I mentioned yet that this entertainment is FREE? They asked for a cover charge for a couple weeks, but made the decision to go back to no cover. That’s right readers … FREE!

Now let’s talk beer. Nick, owner of Fat Patties in Bluffton/Beaufort and the future Salt Marsh Brewery that will be located in the old shrimp packing plant on 11th Street, brings us the infamous beer truck every weekend loaded with all the popular drafts prepared by his brewery.

Salt Marsh’s creations, including I love you Man, High Tide Hazy IPA, Aria’s Amber, Nauti light (my favorite), Broad Creek, and Hopped Up Peach, are just a few beers on tap on a given weekend. You can be certain there will always be an IPA, fruited sour, and cider beer on draft. And don’t worry vino and seltzer fans, the wagon has a little red and white wine and White Claw for you as well. You will be delighted with the service from the friendly faces of Brian Smith, Cynthia Cravey, and Josh Knight, always reliable for a cordial greeting and a big smile. Make sure you tip well!

Now that it’s Fall, Whit and Nick are excited to announce that along with beer and music, the Beer Garden will also host Frank Roberts and his infamous Lady’s Island oysters every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Bring an appetite for those salt water singles on the half shell and roasted!

While the property is known for the Beer Garden, Whit and Nick also welcome community members to use it for a variety of other events. For example, Denise Davis Fanning is now hosting Burpees before Beer on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Arrive for exercise and leave with a satisfied belly! Cost is only $10 and includes your first beer. Other activities held on the property include planning meetings, church services, Pluff Mudd Home Brewers beer club summits, and a Wednesday morning coffee hosted by the Town of Port Royal.

Though the location of the Port Royal Community Beer Garden may change over time as the property evolves into residential lots, the concept is a forever Port Royal staple.

Whit suggests, “A waterfront beer garden fits the vibe in Port Royal. Salt Marsh Brewery will eventually be the permanent location with a tap room and consistent live music.”

I know it fits my vibe. Every time I’ve gone, my friends and I comment on its distinctive ambiance, the tranquil setting, and its commitment to safety during these challenging times. Whit and Nick have truly created the ideal socially distanced, family-friendly social club. I am a born and raised Lowcountry girl, and the Port Royal Community Beer Garden is sincerely the Lowcountry I remember.

Whit Suber is married to Nancy Suber, and they have three children, Sarah, Lydia, and Whit. Nick Borreggine is married to Michelle Borreggine, and they also have three children, Walter, Brianna, and Hannah.

Thank you, Whit and Nick, for bringing us this little piece of heaven during what’s been a hectic 2020. I can’t wait to see all my neighbors there this weekend!