We recently visited North Charleston and spent time tasting brews at Commonhouse Aleworks — the staple brewery in Park Circle.
This beautiful brewery and taproom has a wide variety of beers on tap, a huge outdoor space with tons of picnic tables, plus a stage for music, poetry readings, and more! They also have what is possibly the best soft pretzel we have ever eaten in our entire lives. (No joke — y’all have to get the soft pretzel with beer cheese/maple mustard!)
In this interview, we spoke with Pearce Fleming, Proprietor of Commonhouse Aleworks, and learned all about what makes this business unique in the North Charleston community.
About the Brewery
Work For Your Beer (WFYB): We are so excited to learn more about Commonhouse Aleworks! What year did y’all open and what’s one fact we may not know about the brewery?
Pearce (P): Commonhouse Aleworks opened in 2018, and most people don’t know how much we give back to our community!
WFYB: We can’t wait to dig more into the community aspect. What would you say really makes Commonhouse Aleworks unique? Why should someone visit your brewery?
P: As a friend’s son once said about why they come to Commonhouse as a family each week, “It tastes good and it feels good.”
We didn’t build Commonhouse just to brew and sell beer. We did it because we love and believe in great beer. We don’t think a beer can be great unless it’s brewed with intent, with a purpose. Ours does that; it goes beyond beer.
We believe beer is central to most everything good. It brings people together for good times, good friendships, and great gathering experiences. Alcohol, when used in moderation, can strengthen social ties and bring people together for the better, maybe even a better society. That is what we seek to do each day to help build a better world – bring people together in a safe and inclusive environment where they can find and celebrate all they share in common.
WFYB: Yes, yes, yes. We are 100% on the same page with you here, Pearce.
Let’s Talk Beer
WFYB: Speaking of great beer… Let’s move into some beer-specific questions: what is the best-selling brew you’ve got at Commonhouse Aleworks?
P: Our number one seller is our Park Circle Pale Ale.
WFYB: We love seeing a classic Pale Ale as a best seller. Now, what beer are you most proud of brewing?
P: I am most proud of our team for brewing Looking East, our West Coast/American IPA, and I am glad that style is starting to make a return to popularity.
WFYB: A good West Coast is always great in our book! Completely pivoting from the classics: what is the weirdest beer you’ve ever brewed?
P: When I was homebrewing, I made Saison De Noir in the winter with rutabagas, apples, and beets from our family’s farm outside of Asheville, NC. I added black patent malt to the grist bill, which, when the beets were added meant it poured like a merlot – mainly because I added way too many beets. It also smelled like an earthy vegetable bin from arms length away.
I entered it into a competition, and, as one might expect, it did not do well. That said, I got a compliment from one of the judges on the mouthfeel of the beer, aided by the rutabagas, and that was all the encouragement I needed to keep going. I was so proud of that one comment, even though the beer was thoroughly panned because it was one thing I did with intent that I could replicate.
WFYB: We’d love to see a brew that color! How fun! Now, on a personal level, if you had to make the *perfect* mixed six-pack, what beers would you include in it?
P:
- Weldwerks — Juicy Bits
- Maine Beer Co. — Dinner
- Lawson’s — Sip of Sunshine
- Firestone Walker — Pivo
- Bierstadt Lagerhaus — Slow Pour
- Wayfinder — Hell
WFYB: You’ve got some amazing brews in there — we’d take that six-pack home, for sure!
Let’s Focus on Community
WFYB: Now, to what is likely going to be our favorite topic of this interview. Let’s dive into community. How does Commonhouse Aleworks give back to the local North Charleston community?
P: Commonhouse is about being a good neighbor. We’re here to support community building in any way we can. We like to support local charitable groups whenever we can.
Celebrating what’s common to all and making a positive effect at the local level fuels us; that’s why a portion of every beer we sell is given back to community impact-effort groups of all shapes and sizes. It seems like the right thing to do.
Communities all over support us, so let’s support them. It’s what good neighbors do. We’re a brewery just trying to be a good neighbor wherever we go. When all is said and done, when you help yourself to a Commonhouse, you’re helping the community, too. That’s beer with a purpose.
WFYB: Talk to us more about keeping Commonhouse Aleworks as a safe space — how do you make sure your brewery is inclusive?
P: We don’t call it “Commonhouse” Aleworks for nothing. The idea is in the name, “Commonhouse.” We wanted to create a place, a public space, where all people could feel relaxed, comfortable, confident, and safe from being judged or criticized for who
they are, or what they believe, or where they came from. We wanted a place that was inclusive and welcoming to everyone—a place where differences among people are acceptable.
Our beer is an extension of that. We’re not asking anyone to believe what they don’t want to believe; we ask them to accept and enjoy others for what both have “in common” and not turn away because of differences. Accept what’s different. Sit down and have a Commonhouse. Find and Enjoy what you have in common with others, no matter who they
are. You don’t have to agree or understand; just accept.
Commonhouse is welcoming and inclusive of all people and what’s common among them. Our entire team works together to create a safe and inclusive environment that keeps these words coming to life each day.
WFYB: It’s so clear how passionate you are about being an authentic and true space in the community — what’s one event you are particularly proud of hosting?
WFYB: Hell yeah! We love that y’all throw down for Pride!
It was incredible getting to speak to Pearce all about Commonhouse Aleworks, the history of Park Circle, and more! Huge shout out to Pearce (and Ryan!) for hosting us.
If you’re in Park Circle, you can’t miss this spot! Grab a beer (or two) and enjoy this community-driven space.
Want to be considered for an upcoming feature? Email cheers@workforyourbeer.com to set up an interview!
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