New Craft Brewery Set to Open in Carolina Forest by End of May 2026

By Thomas Beach Vacations Staff  |  Myrtle Beach, SC  |  April 23, 2026

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A new family-friendly craft brewery and restaurant is nearing completion in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, with owners targeting an opening by the end of May 2026. South Coast Beer Project, located at 5020 Carolina Forest Blvd., is the latest venture from Coastal Concepts Hospitality, the team behind The Sneaky Beagle, Hop N Wich in Conway, and three Grumpy Monk restaurants.

The project will bring a 9,000-square-foot coastal-themed restaurant, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden, and an in-house 7-barrel brewing operation to one of the fastest-growing corridors on the Grand Strand. When it opens, South Coast Beer Project will be among the larger family-oriented brewery concepts in the Myrtle Beach market.

Owners and Background

Chris Evans and Susan Heryadi of Coastal Concepts Hospitality are behind the project. The pair opened their first Grumpy Monk restaurant in 2015 and have since expanded to three locations under that brand, in addition to Hop N Wich in Conway and The Sneaky Beagle in Carolina Forest. The Sneaky Beagle sits adjacent to the South Coast Beer Project site and will be physically connected to the new brewery by a 1,000-foot paved and lighted walking path running around a retention pond between the two properties.

Heading the brewing program is Brock Kurtzman, whose credits include New South Brewing and Southern Hops Brewing Company — two well-regarded names in the regional craft beer industry. The brewery will operate a 7-barrel brew system capable of maintaining eight to twelve house labels on tap at any given time, with capacity for additional specialty and aged releases.

Restaurant and Outdoor Space

The interior restaurant seats approximately 150 diners in an open-air-style room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the brewing tanks. A full-service bar runs the length of the dining room. The decor draws on coastal themes throughout, with palm trees, slat walls, greenery, painted wooden surfboards, and beach scene artwork.

The outdoor beer garden extends to more than 20,000 square feet of artificial turf and holds seating for at least 250 additional guests under umbrellas and patio furniture. The space includes dedicated areas with inflatable playground equipment for children, a fountain modeled after a giant beer mug, pond-side seating for a quieter atmosphere, an 18-foot outdoor screen for movie nights and events, and walk-up service windows for outdoor ordering. Guests at either South Coast Beer Project or The Sneaky Beagle will be able to use the connecting walking path to move between the two restaurants.

The menu will center on pizza and wings, supported by approximately ten sandwich options, several salads, and a full range of appetizers. All food will be prepared in-house. Visitors staying in North Myrtle Beach oceanfront homes or oceanfront condos along Cherry Grove Beach, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill will find South Coast Beer Project a straightforward inland drive from the coast.

Opening Details

South Coast Beer Project is expected to open by the end of May 2026 at 5020 Carolina Forest Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. Planned hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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