FLORENCE — A Florence businessman and local chef have completed the purchase of the oldest brewery in the region. The agreement means Seminar Brewing will be able to build on the reputation it has earned since Travis Knowles, Dave Peters, Bryan Fisher, John Mattheis and Shawn Steadman launched the business in 2014. A decade later, the former home brewers decided it was time to let go of their passion project.
In early June, Tim Norwood of Florence company Synergi and restaurant Victors bought the brewery with 2014-15 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Cooper Thomas. The Columbia native previously worked at Charleston Grill and is the executive chef at Victors. In early June, Tim Norwood of Florence company Synergi and restaurant Victors bought Seminar Brewing with 2014-15 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Cooper Thomas.
Norwood is a Florence native, Francis Marion University graduate and local business owner. After investing in the Hotel Florence and moving Victors to the ground floor, he has been credited with leading the surge of redevelopment in downtown Florence. His tax-credit consulting firm Synergi employs hundreds of individuals steps away from the hotel and restaurant.
Future plans for Seminar include revamping its kitchen, taproom experience and expanding distribution, he said. “The history of the place ..
. it just felt like something we needed to continue in Florence,” Norwood told The Post and Courier. “We’re going to get a production line, can beer and get it .
