Estate Planning Attorney in Lancaster, SC

LANCASTER — Benford Brewing, a small agricultural brewery in Lancaster, has announced it is temporarily halting on-premise beer consumption after struggling for months under what the brewery’s owner has called “modern-day Prohibition.”

Owner Bryan O’Neal told Free Times a key turning point for the brewery was in September 2025 when the craft brewery’s insurance policy expired and O’Neal struggled to find another insurance company to quote him on coverage.

The situation reflects what has been an issue for bar and restaurants of all sizes across South Carolina, who are either facing extremely high premiums or struggling to find coverage as insurance companies leave the state.

A new law passed in May 2025 was supposed to help lower costs by making changes like reducing insurance coverage requirements for businesses who have ID scanners, have bartenders take alcohol training certification programs and where alcohol makes up less than 40 percent of sales, but many local business owners said the changes provide little — if any — relief.

“I think we're all just tired of it,” O’Neal said.

The turning point

After his insurance expired, O’Neal said he decided to close at 5 p.m. in an effort to avoid liquor liability insurance completely. He was even joined by another local bar, LA Tap Room, but with limited hours and opportunities to serve people after work, O’Neal said the effort started feeling worthless.

The bar owner said he struggled to adjust to the new hours and felt frustrated having customers walk in at 4:15 p.m. after work just for them to need to leave in 45 minutes.

“‘Why can't you open? Why you gotta close a 5?’” O’Neal said people would ask constantly. “It’s, just, it's not fun. They've sucked the fun out of it.”

O’Neal said the brewery quickly became a burden and took time away from other parts of his farm. He tried to secure a one-day special-event policy, but said S.C. Department of Revenue rules didn’t allow the events he and a fellow bar owner had planned.

“I want to feed my cows, run my sawmill, have a little bit of beer. That's all,” O’Neal said. “We need business freedom.”

Now his hope is that announcing the closure of Benford Brewing will be enough to bring attention to the issue and encourage some change while he shifts his focus to making an income.

“We’ve got to wake up these politicians, these legislators, and we need to be able to operate your business the way you intend,” O’Neal said.

Someday, O’Neal said he hopes to reopen the brewery “if cooler heads can prevail.”

Benford Brewing is located at 2271 Boxcar Road in Lancaster. The farm will still sell raw milk, beef, chicken, eggs and honey and will be open for visits by appointment only.

Due to pressure from state laws he likens to modern-day prohibition, Bryan O’Neal just closed Lancaster County’s only brewery.

Benford Brewing is now temporarily closed for on-premise beer consumption until the state changes its liquor liability insurance laws, he told The Herald on Wednesday. The sawmill, woodworking, beef sales and raw milk distribution operations on O’Neal’s Boxcar Road property will continue.

Benford Brewing began as Boxcar Brewing in 2012, just north of the city of Lancaster. It’s craft beer brands include Carolina Blackout, Southern Tater and World’s Problem Solver.

“I’m tired of the government telling me what I can and can’t do,” O’Neal said. “These politicians created this law requiring every restaurant, bar and brewery to have a million-dollar liquor liability policy. Through COVID and lawsuits, it’s just now getting caught up to us.”

About the SC liquor liability law

South Carolina passed the liability law last year, and potentially, it could still be revised. It’s a foundation but not a finished product, according to the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association.

The bill was approved 41-1 in the state Senate after passing in the state House.

Last year, Gov. Henry McMaster called the new law a common-sense liquor liability rule requiring anyone selling alcohol after 5 p.m. for on-premise consumption to have an insurance policy at $1 million or more.

Businesses could reduce that coverage requirement if they stopped selling at midnight or if alcohol was less than 40% of total sales. The coverage could be cut in half for nonprofits hosting events with a special licence.

The goal of the law, which took effect this year, was to reduce liability businesses face for DUI or damages caused by customers after they were served. Legislators hailed the law change as a business-friendly move to protect alcohol sellers.

“At no time should the actions of government put businesses out of business,” S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander in announcing the new law last spring.

But that’s exactly what happened at Benford Brewing, O’Neal said.

His farm, which transformed into an events venue when COVID hit and has since hosted bands and food trucks, has to close by 5 p.m. Since his insurance policy expired last fall, no company will quote him coverage because 40% of his revenue doesn’t come from food sales, O’Neal said.

He’s heard of places being quoted $30,000 to $100,000 per year for coverage, he said.

Deciding to shut down and ‘get loud’

The amount of craft beer O’Neal would have to sell, while closing before many people get off work, just isn’t feasible. “Why do I even have a brewery?” hel asked.

He’ll keep his equipment on site and will start back up if state laws become more favorable. He’s also spoken to other brewers and state legislators about the issue.

Meanwhile, O’Neal will continue making epoxy tables, sawing lumber and processing cattle, in hopes that those business don’t dry up over the brewery issue.

“Usually it happens over a beer,” he said of the handshake deals that keep him in business. “We’ve always said that beer sells wood. It sells beef.”

With candidate filing ongoing for state and local elections this fall, O’Neal plans to use his extra time to lobby for his business, his passion.

“I just made a decision to shut it down,” he said, “and get loud.”

LANCASTER, S.C. (WBTV) - Twenty-nine teenagers have been charged after multiple fights broke out at a high school in Lancaster County last week.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, several fights broke out throughout the day at Lancaster High School along Woodland Drive in Lancaster, prompting a significant response from local authorities and raising concerns among parents and staff.

District officials confirmed that the incidents created a “disruptive environment” and sparked safety worries within the community.

Following the altercations, police completed 29 juvenile petitions for simple assault, which were forwarded to the Department of Juvenile Justice the following week.

Safety assurances despite community concerns

Despite the scale of the disturbances, no injuries were reported, and school district officials stressed that all students remained safe throughout the day’s events.

However, the fights have left some parents worried.

“It’s very concerning, it makes me almost want to homeschool him,” said parent Michaela Mabry, reflecting concerns shared among some families in the community.

Leadership emphasizes positive staff efforts

Bryan Vaughn, the district’s former director of safety, transportation, and communications, acknowledged the challenges such situations present but urged the community to recognize the dedication of school staff.

“I know that the folks at Lancaster High School, you know, it’s a great administration over there and staff. Hard-working group of folks,” Vaughn said.

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He emphasized that incidents of this nature should not define the district as a whole, pointing out that the students involved represent only a small fraction of the overall student body.

“They represent a very small group of students compared to the large student body,” Vaughn said.

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