Memorial Stadium, as of 2025, has begun selling alcoholic beverages, following the popular trend of other stadiums. This new idea has proved to be a great way to rake in revenue for the Tigers — close to $500,000 just from the LSU game alone.
But what is this doing for the local economy? Well, Clemson has gone and partnered with Aramark Sports and Entertainment services in order to reach the proper numbers, attain more profits and build on the previous partnership with the brand.
This is a large brand that can afford to keep up with the demands of the stadium with ease, but again, what does this do for the local economy? Partnering with Aramark, of course, brings its upsides and filters more money into the athletics, but it’s not going to help as much as partnering with local breweries.
Upstate South Carolina is no stranger to local breweries, such as Kite Hill Brewing Co., which Bryon Leggett and Bobby Congdon — both Clemson Alumni — established as Clemson’s first brewery in 2020. Since then, Kite Hill has become a center for events like Oktoberfest and the Lil’ Ole Beer Festival.
When asked whether or not Kite Hill Brewing would be interested in selling in Memorial Stadium should the opportunity arise, Bryon Leggett said “definitely … it’d be neat to have in the stadium” and that it would add “more meaning and impact” if people knew they were drinking a beer made in Clemson, the Upstate or even in South Carolina.
Many of the beers being sold in Memorial Stadium are made by bigger operation breweries, but it’s “certainly possible for someone our size to support sales there,” Leggett said. Leggett also reported that there are a number of alumni-owned breweries in the area that he thinks would be interested in the opportunity as well.
Death Valley selling a taste of Clemson could be a way to show off the local flavors and support alumni as well as the local economy — a pour into each other.
“We’re pretty sure that Clemson fans would appreciate the opportunity to drink beer made in Clemson by alumni in the stadium,” Leggett told The Tiger. What better way to exhibit and amplify the Clemson community and its producers than to highlight them in a nationally recognized stadium?
Death Valley could still have the big brands, but if local breweries have the equipment and the ability to produce enough alcohol, why not?
Not only would Clemson fans enjoy this venture, but fans of rival schools would have the opportunity to drink exclusive regional beer that is proudly displayed in Death Valley. Promoting the local taste of Clemson and the Upstate in Memorial Stadium would fit in perfectly with the University’s focus on community, legacy and the iconic Clemson family.
Sarah Bandhauer is a sophomore food science major from Brevard, North Carolina. Sarah can be reached at [email protected].
