Sweet iced tea is synonymous with the South—a tradition that began in Charleston, South Carolina more than two centuries ago. In 1795, the coastal city became the first place in the United States where tea was grown. The plants were imported by French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux and put into the ground near the city at what is now Middleton Place Gardens. In the nineteenth century, English and American cookbooks began to popularize tea served cold—usually heavily spiked with liquor, these drinks were called punches.

Today, Wadamlaw Island (located just outside the city) is home to the only remaining commercial tea plantation in the United States. The Charleston Tea Project seeks to build on that history and tradition, combining the authentic flavors of Southern sweet tea with premium ingredients to create a truly original malt beverage. Local ownership ensures that the company’s stable of hard iced teas maintains a flavor profile that stays true to the brew’s historic roots. And considering Charleston is home to one of the country’s largest deepwater ports, sharing Charleston Hard Iced Teas with the world is easy.

* There is also a “French Quarter” in historic Charleston.