Twenty minutes down the road from your shady RV site, Coastal Empire Beer Co. is lining up sparkling cider flights—four petite pours that let you taste Savannah’s orchard-fresh side without tipping the ABV scale. Picture this: cushioned barstools for weary road-trippers, a sunny patio where leashed pups sprawl, and a house-made root beer that keeps the kiddos grinning while you swirl, sip, and decide your favorite apple-to-honey blend.
Key Takeaways
Before you dive into the details, skim this cheat sheet so you know exactly why Coastal Empire Beer Co. deserves a spot on today’s itinerary. These quick hits cover the nuts and bolts—distance, cost, amenities—so you can plan a carefree outing and still make it back to camp in time for sunset.
• Coastal Empire Beer Co. sits 30 minutes from Savannah Lakes RV Resort at 79 Ross Road
• Cider flight: four 4-oz pours, about $12, low alcohol and gluten-free friendly
• Kids enjoy house root beer and a chalk wall; dogs allowed on leashes outside
• Large RVs can park at Sam’s Club 0.8 mile away and grab an $8 rideshare to the taproom
• Best drive times: before 3 p.m. or after 6 p.m. to skip traffic
• Hours: Tue-Thu 5–8 p.m., Fri 5–9 p.m., Sat 12–9 p.m., Sun 12:30–5 p.m.
• Free Wi-Fi, comfy seats, and ADA-friendly restrooms welcome all guests
• Food trucks most weekends; outside snacks are okay anytime
• Georgia law: keep take-home cans or growlers sealed until back at camp
• Chill cans under 40 °F; finish within 2 weeks (open growlers within 2 days)
• Thursday happy hour 5–7 p.m. knocks $2 off flights and pints.
Retiree seeking a gluten-free refresher? Parent craving a five-ounce grown-up moment between soccer games? Remote worker scouting Wi-Fi and wall plugs? Adventure junkie pedaling in from the McQueen’s Trail? This flight has a seat—and a cider—with your name on it.
Ready to learn how to taste like a pro, park your rig stress-free, and even snag cans for campground s’mores night? Keep reading; the next few scrolls map out every fizzy detail.
Map the Journey from Your Campsite
Savannah Lakes RV Resort sits 22 miles north of the taproom, so you can usually roll into the city in about 30 minutes. The simplest path follows GA-204 onto I-95 South, then exits toward Ross Road—no cobblestone surprises or tight downtown turns. Hit the road before 3 p.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and you’ll skirt commuter waves while cruising past marsh views and Spanish-moss arches.
Traveling in a motorhome longer than 25 feet? Treat yourself to the roomy Sam’s Club lot on Abercorn Street, just 0.8 mile from the brewery, and call a quick $8 rideshare for the final hop. Coastal Empire’s own asphalt patch fits passenger vehicles and two marked ADA spots, each flush with the sidewalk for easy mobility. Georgia’s open-container law means those fresh crowlers must ride home sealed and stowed—quick twist of the cap, snap of the growlertop, no temptation within reach.
A Savannah Brewery with Lowcountry Soul
Founded in 2010 by head brewer Kevin Haborak, Coastal Empire Beer Co. earned a silver medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, proof that this laid-back hideaway punches well above its weight. You’ll find it at 79 Ross Road—a former industrial space now echoing with friendly banter and the soft hiss of taps. The staff’s tongue-in-cheek rule, “Alligators must be leashed,” telegraphs just how relaxed the vibe runs.
Current taproom hours are Tuesday through Thursday 5–8 p.m., Friday 5–9 p.m., Saturday noon–9 p.m., and Sunday 12:30–5 p.m., according to the brewery’s official events page. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and bartenders keep stainless bowls handy. Inside, ceiling-strung surfboards and reclaimed-wood tables lend a warm Lowcountry feel, while a small merch nook stocks shirts, hats, and insulated totes for keeping takeaway cans cool on the ride back to Hardeeville.
The Anatomy of a Cider Flight
Ask for a cider tasting flight, and your bartender slides over a wooden paddle holding four to six four-ounce tulip glasses. Each pour steps from palest straw to deep amber so lighter aromas shine before the dessert-like sippers appear. A mini chalkboard or numbered coaster keeps flavors straight, saving you from mid-flight guesswork.
What lands in those glasses changes with the coastal seasons: maybe a dry apple base kissed by local honey, a peach-purée off-dry version come midsummer, or a barrel-aged cinnamon-spiced pour in cooler months. When beer lovers want to compare, the staff can mix cider and beer on the same board, using dedicated draft lines so hop oils never creep into your crisp fruit. The format is perfect for retirees limiting ABV, parents fitting a tasting between errands, and flavor hunters logging new stamps in their Savannah Suds Passport.
A Simple Guide to Sipping Like a Pro
Start by lifting each glass to the light; clarity hints at dryness while a hazy glow often signals residual sweetness and body. Give a gentle swirl—just enough to wake up volatile esters without sloshing onto the paddle. Lean in for a deep sniff; your nose registers orchard notes, baking spice, or vanilla before your tongue even weighs in.
Now employ the two-sip rule: the first taste tells your palate “we’re switching gears,” the second reveals nuance like tart green apple or toasted oak. Between samples, sip still water or crunch a plain cracker so lingering sugars don’t cloud the next cider’s subtleties. Jot three-word notes—dry, tart apple; peach pie; vanilla oak—then you’ll know exactly what to order by the pint or pack for later.
Comfort for Every Crew
Cushioned high-back stools and indoor rocking chairs keep retirees relaxed, while bright lighting and ground-level restrooms with grab bars add assurance. Sugar-free seltzer, non-alcoholic hop water, and chilled kombucha extend the lineup beyond booze, so everyone finds a glass to raise. Plenty of elbow room between tables means walkers or service animals navigate without hassle.
Families score a kid-approved trio: root beer on tap, a chalk-wall for doodles, and a small grassy lawn to burn off energy between pours. Portable changing tables pop up in the ladies’ room, and food trucks—often Ex Libris Pizza or Chazito’s Latin Cuisine—park outside most weekends. Feel free to BYO snack bag; the brewery is casual about outside food.
Remote professionals appreciate free Wi-Fi clocking 15 Mbps down and barrel tables with nearby outlets. Slide in for Thursday happy hour (5–7 p.m.) and enjoy $2 off flights while catching up on email. After dark, bright parking-lot LEDs make rideshare pickups easy and safe.
Outdoor enthusiasts can rack bikes along the patio railing and hydrate at the courtesy water station. Canine companions nap under picnic tables, leashes short to avoid patio traffic. Ask the beertender about their spent-grain compost program—bags are free for your herb garden back at the resort.
Flavors That Travel Well to Your Plate—or Grill
A bone-dry cider slices through the rich crunch of a shrimp po’ boy from that day’s food truck, letting briny seafood pop. Off-dry peach-forward pours tango with leftover Lowcountry boil, each sip cooling mild spice and coating potatoes in gentle fruit. Spiced barrel-aged cider partners effortlessly with smoked brisket you might be tending on the RV’s pellet grill, echoing hickory notes.
Lighter, mildly sour gose-style cider refreshes the palate after creamy praline cheesecake picked up in town. Thinking ahead to dinner? Marinate chicken in equal parts cider and olive oil with rosemary and thyme; those sugars caramelize over campground coals, gifting golden skin and subtle apple perfume.
Trail-to-Tap Logistics for RV Adventurers
Fuel up and check tire pressure before rolling, because interstate shoulders can narrow near the GA-204 interchange. If a rainstorm blows in, delay departure; Savannah’s flat terrain drains fast, but puddles mask potholes near Ross Road. Keeping window shades drawn on the curb side helps sun-baked interiors stay cool for the return.
When you arrive at that Sam’s Club overflow lot, align your rig parallel to the outer edge and snap a quick photo of your spot. A five-minute rideshare gets you to the front door, tipping the driver kindly for the extra cabin height. Leashed pets ride free on most apps—just note “dog on board” and bring a collapsible bowl for patio water breaks.
Keeping Your Cider Fresh Back at Savannah Lakes
Slide four-pack cans into the RV fridge below 40 °F as soon as you unlock the door. Unpasteurized craft cider retains bright fruit for roughly 30 days cold-stored, but aromatic peaks shine within the first two weeks. Growler fills stay fizzy up to a week unopened; once that cap cracks, aim to finish within 48 hours.
Pour into tulip or wine-shaped glasses chilled to 45–50 °F, the sweet spot where fruit esters leap out without making residual sugars seem syrupy. After the last sip, rinse each glass with hot water only, skip the soap, and let them air-dry upside down so future pours sparkle.
Quick-Glance Cheat Sheet
Sometimes you just need the essentials without scrolling back through paragraphs. The snapshot below gathers drive time, pricing, and must-know amenities so you can double-check plans while wrangling kids, dogs, or fishing poles. Bookmark it or screenshot for on-the-go reference.
• Drive time: 30 min from Savannah Lakes RV Resort
• Flight cost: $12 for four pours
• Kid-friendly: Yes—games, root beer, lawn play
• Pet-friendly: Patio, leash required
• Wi-Fi: Free, reliable
• ADA access: Level entry, grab bars in restrooms
• Food: Rotating trucks or BYO snacks
• Must-try cider (today): Barrel-Aged Apple Vanilla, 6.5 % ABV
Consider this your high-level mission plan. With timing, parking, and pours dialed in, all that’s left is to lean back in a rocking chair and decide which cider deserves a crowler ride home. Jot down any additions you’d like to see next visit—seasonal infusions change quickly in Savannah’s creative brewing scene.
So when your tasting paddle is empty and the last apple-kissed sip fades, you’ll be only 30 easy minutes from stretching out beneath the pines at Savannah Lakes. Swap barstools for a camp chair by the lake, let the kids chase fireflies while your chilled crowlers wait in the fridge, and stream tomorrow’s trail map on our speedy Wi-Fi. Ready to toast a weekend that blends orchard sparkle with Lowcountry calm? Reserve your full-hookup site at Savannah Lakes RV Resort today and make Coastal Empire Beer Co. just one more flavorful stop on your best-ever Savannah getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a cider flight cost, and how many samples do I get?
A: Coastal Empire Beer Co. currently charges $12 for a flight of four four-ounce pours; bartenders will happily add up to two extra samples for a small upcharge if you want to taste the full lineup.
Q: Are the ciders naturally gluten-free?
A: Yes—each cider is fermented from fruit, not grain, so people avoiding gluten can sip with confidence, though the brewery still produces beer on separate draft lines in the same facility.
Q: What alcohol levels should I expect?
A: House ciders usually hover between 4.5 % and 7 % ABV, giving you a gentle buzz without overpowering sweetness; the chalkboard lists exact numbers beside every tap so you can pace your tasting.
Q: I prefer sweeter or non-alcoholic drinks—are there options for me?
A: In addition to off-dry and dessert-style ciders, the taproom pours house-made root beer, sugar-free seltzer, and rotating kombucha, so everyone from grandkids to designated drivers can raise a glass.
Q: Is the seating comfortable for older guests or anyone with mobility concerns?
A: Inside you’ll find cushioned high-back stools, a row of rocking chairs, and ground-level restrooms fitted with grab bars, while the patio tables sit at standard height so you can settle in without climbing.
Q: Can we bring the kids, and are there changing tables?
A: Absolutely—the taproom welcomes families with a chalk-wall, lawn games, and portable changing tables in the ladies’ room, making it easy to sneak in a five-ounce grown-up moment between errands.
Q: May I bring my dog, and is there outdoor seating?
A: Leashed pups are encouraged on the sunny patio where staff keep water bowls on standby; just remember Savannah heat and offer your furry co-pilot plenty of shade.
Q: Does the brewery offer Wi-Fi and outlets for remote work or a quick email check?
A: Free Wi-Fi averages 15 Mbps down, and several barrel tables hug the wall near standard outlets, so you can polish a spreadsheet or plan tomorrow’s hike while savoring your flight.
Q: How far is Coastal Empire from Savannah Lakes RV Resort, and where do I park my RV?
A: The drive is roughly 22 miles, or about 30 minutes; rigs longer than 25 feet should stage in the spacious Sam’s Club lot on Abercorn Street—0.8 mile away—then grab an $8 rideshare to the taproom’s smaller parking area.
Q: Is food available on-site or nearby?
A: Most Fridays and Saturdays a food truck like Ex Libris Pizza or Chazito’s Latin Cuisine parks steps from the patio, and the brewery allows outside snacks, so feel free to pack sandwiches or Lowcountry leftovers.
Q: What seasonal or limited-edition ciders can I expect?
A: Spring might bring a peach-infused off-dry, summer often features citrus-zest blends, and cooler months showcase barrel-aged cinnamon or vanilla-kissed pours; the selection rotates weekly, so no two visits taste exactly alike.
Q: Can I take cider back to the campground, and how should I store it?
A: Four-pack cans and 32-ounce crowlers are sealed for travel under Georgia’s open-container law; slide them into your RV fridge below 40 °F and enjoy within two weeks for peak orchard-fresh flavor.
Q: Are there any happy-hour deals or discounts?
A: Thursday evenings from 5–7 p.m. you’ll save $2 on flights and $1 on single pours, a sweet spot for retirees on a budget or remote professionals wrapping up the workday.
Q: Does Coastal Empire practice any sustainable or local sourcing methods?
A: Fruit purées and honey come from regional suppliers when available, spent grain is offered to local gardeners for compost, and the staff encourage reusable tote bags for to-go cans, keeping your carbon footprint light as Lowcountry breeze.
