Today we’d like to introduce you to Thad Wellington.
Hi Thad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Brit Slechter and I (Thad Wellington) met in 2022 while she was managing Frothy Beard Off World in Summerville, SC and I was a regular. We became friends and through one of our chats she mentioned wanting to open her own brewery. I was in software development at the time, but was looking for a change of career and loved craft beer. So, we started making plans and finding out what it would take to make a brewery happened. Brit has two culinary degrees and over 10 years in breweries and I have a background in retail, project management, and product management. It was a complimentary fit for both of us. We formed Wyrd Sisters Brewing LLC along with Jess Wellington, my wife, in May of that year, purchased a small brewing setup that we could grow with, and began writing recipes and brewing in my garage.
We took our beers to local homebrew competitions. The first was Charleston Beer Fest in 2022 where we won with the second brew we ever made, a caramel apple dunkelweizen. We knew we were on the right path. The homebrew circuit continued for us until 2024 and we won People’s Choice awards at 6 of the 7 competitions entered. Our fanbase grew as did the notoriety of our brews & brand.
In May of 2024, we secured a small 1940’s house in the heart of Park Circle and began remodeling it into a taphouse and very small brewery. On December 21, 2024 Wyrd Sisters Brewing opened to the public followed by our grand opening in February 2025. The taphouse is unique in the Charleston area and features two gathering rooms, one with comfy couches and another with several tables for gathering and playing games. With a huge backyard shaded by live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, the overall vibe is a bit witchy & Southern Gothic with metal and punk music playing throughout.
Our house brews are released on Fridays and, being only 10 gallon batches, sell out within the weekend. It brings a feeling of exclusivity and creating excitement for our customers. Our other taps feature brews from brands like Trillium, DSSOLVR, The Veil, Põhjala, and many more that are among the best we can get in South Carolina. We try to bring brews into Charleston that locals usually can’t find and strongly encourage people looking for local brews to visit the breweries themselves. We’re very focused on bringing the best flavors we can find with something for everyone, even if you’re not a beer fan. On offer are meads, wine, non-alcoholic brews, and alcohol alternatives so everyone can enjoy the Wyrd Sisters experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. We started from scratch: learning how to brew, attending classes, conferences, making connections and finding mentors. We asked questions and learned an incredible amount by trial and error. One of the more difficult things was simply finding a location. While we have a great commercial real estate agent, much of what is available in the Charleston area is prohibitively expensive for a startup like us. It took well over a year to find the right spot. When we finally found the house we’re in now, it was not only the right size, but also in a prime location for the kind of business we wanted to build.
Starting a brewery itself is expensive and in the current market, a risky proposition. We wanted to reduce risk and build gradually, so we focused on a taphouse-first, brewery-second model that allows us to build a level of exclusivity in our own brand while generating revenue from brands that have already perfected their craft.
Outside investment has also been a struggle. While we are a women-owned business, finding the right investors who align with our values and place their money in a hospitality business has been difficult.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wyrd Sisters Brewing creates culinary-inspired brews. From banana cream pie hefeweizens to mango ginger IPAs our brews break the norm and challenge what beer can be. Wyrd Sisters is a primarily women-owned business. Our head brewer and co-owner, Brit Slechter, brings her years of culinary and brewing experience to the smallest brew house in South Carolina.
We’re bringing not only our brews, but the most flavorful beverages from around the world. Our other taps feature brews from brands like Trillium, DSSOLVR, The Veil, Põhjala, and many more that are among the best we can get in South Carolina. We try to bring brews into Charleston that locals usually can’t find and strongly encourage people looking for local brews to visit the breweries themselves. The Wyrd Sisters experience is more than just beer. We’re very focused on bringing the best flavors we can find with something for everyone, even if you’re not a beer fan. We offer meads, wine, non-alcoholic brews, and alcohol alternatives so everyone can enjoy the Wyrd Sisters experience.
We have the only 21+ brewery in Charleston. While there are many breweries for kids to hang with their parents while they enjoy a brew, there aren’t any focused on adults enjoying adult beverages. Children aren’t allowed inside the taphouse except when accompanied by an adult to use the restroom. That said, we have a large yard under the oaks where leashed dogs and well-behaved kids are welcome.
What makes you happy?
Seeing a project or product become a reality. Plans and ideas are one thing, but seeing them come to life and people enjoying them is not only satisfying, but brings a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
It’s much the same feeling I have when I see my kids do something they love and do it well. Whether that’s performing in band, getting a promotion at their job, or just becoming the people they want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wyrdsisters.beer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyrdsistersbrewing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wyrdsistersbrewing/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wyrd-sisters-brewing-north-charleston
- Other: https://untappd.com/WyrdSistersBrewing
