S2 E33 Coast Brewing Cocktail Creations

In this episode of Cocktails with Friends, Bob Cutler calls (and wakes up) Aidan Merritt, the creative force behind the cocktail program at Coast Brewing in Charleston, South Carolina. Aidan shakes the sleep from his eyes to share his philosophy on crafting high-quality, affordable cocktails in a brewery setting, highlighting his seasonal menu, thoughtful spirit selection, and weekly $8 “Sunday Funday” experimental drink. Bob raves about the brewery’s welcoming atmosphere and Aidan’s ability to blend craft beer culture with top-tier mixology. The episode wraps up with an invitation to visit Charleston and experience Coast Brewing’s balanced approach to both beer and cocktails.

Key Topics

• Balancing Beer & Cocktails in a Brewery – How Aidan integrates high-quality cocktails into a traditionally beer-focused environment.

• Seasonal & Experimental Cocktails – The impact of changing menus and the creative freedom behind Sunday Funday specials.

• Cocktail Accessibility & Pricing – The philosophy of keeping cocktails reasonably priced while maintaining quality.

• (00:45) – Aidan Merritt, bartender at Coast Brewing, is redefining what a brewery bar can offer by crafting top-tier cocktails at accessible prices.

• (06:20) – The Sunday Funday cocktail special allows Aidan to experiment with new flavors, offering a unique $8 drink each week.

• (13:05) – Coast Brewing successfully integrates a full cocktail program alongside its craft beer, attracting both beer lovers and cocktail enthusiasts.

• (22:40) – Aidan prioritizes affordability and availability when selecting base spirits, choosing Old Grand-Dad for bourbon and Lunazul for tequila.

• (35:10) – Bob encourages listeners to visit Charleston and experience Aidan’s cocktails firsthand, praising Coast Brewing for offering something for everyone.