AFBA City Guide: Austin Breweries and Brewpubs

Each year, members of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance come together to craft the City Guide, detailing the best places for eats and drinks in Austin, TX. As members, we here at Bitch Beer naturally gravitate more towards the drinks part of that equation.

This year, we divvied up the Craft Beer category of the guide with Chris Sheppard of Craft Taste. Check out his post for a guide to craft beer bars in Austin.

Now, check out our comprehensive rundown of Austin area breweries and brewpubs below if you’re looking to drink straight from the source.

 

 North

Adelbert’s Brewery
2314 Rutland Dr #100
Austin, TX 78758
Taproom Hours: Wednesday-Friday 5-8pm & Saturday 1-4pm
What to expect: Belgian beers, Wednesday-Friday happy hours, frequent food trucks and live music.
Must try beer: Any of their barrel aged releases like the impressive Triple Treat (rum barrel aged triple) or Contemplating Waterloo (gin barrel aged saison).

Austin Beerworks
3009 Industrial Terrace
Austin, TX 78758
Taproom Hours:Thursday 5-9pm, Friday 5-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 1-7pm
What to expect: Flagship easy drinkin’ beers, stellar taproom only releases, eclectic taproom decor, frequent food trucks, unicorns and bald eagles.
Must try beer: If you’re new to Austin Beerworks start with one of the flagships like Black Thunder or Fire Eagle. If you’ve already tried the core four, opt for a special limited release like recent winners Joner Bamz or War Monger.

Black Star Co-Op
7020 Easy Wind Dr
Austin, TX 78752
Taproom Hours: Monday 4pm-12am, Tuesday-Thursday 11am-12am, Friday & Saturday, 11am-1am, Sunday 11am-12am.
What to expect: Elevated pub grub, frequently rotating house beers ranging from the flagship “rational” IPA Vulcan to experimental “irrational” beers, extensive guest tap list, pet friendly patio & industrial decor.
Must try beer: The Waterloo Peach Berliner Weisse if it happens to be in season.

Bluebonnet Beer Company
1700 Bryant Dr #107
Round Rock, TX 78664
Taproom Hours: Friday & Saturday 5-8pm
What to expect: Tiny brand new Round Rock nanobrewery focusing on clean and classic styles for approachable drinking.
Must try beer: The Pecan Brown Ale

Circle Brewing Company
2340 W Braker Ln
Austin, TX 78758
Taproom Hours: Friday 5-8pm & Saturday 1-4pm
What to expect: Warehouse vibe, Reinheitsgebot brews, now open weekly Fridays and Saturdays.
Must try beer: The World Beer Cup winning Alibi Blonde Ale

Draught House Pub & Brewery (Now brewing again!)
4112 Medical Pkwy
Austin, TX 78756
Taproom Hours: Monday-Thursday 3pm-2am & Friday-Sunday 1pm-2am
What to expect: Austin institution that just returned from a brewing hiatus,tasty house beers, extensive guest tap selection, classic pub vibe with a killer beer garden.
Must try beer: The new Mumbai IPA.

Flix Brewhouse
2200 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
Taproom Hours: 12pm-12am
What to expect: A Round Rock movie theater that doubles as a brewpub.
Must try beer: Saison De Walt, a beer inspired by Orval, and a fallen friend who considered it his favorite.

North By Northwest (original location)
10010 N Capital of Texas Hwy
Austin, TX 78759
Taproom Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday 11am-12am & Saturday 10-12am
What to expect: Brewpub bringing a touch of the northwest to Austin for going on 16 years, lodge inspired decor, tasty plates and classic beers.
Must try beer: Okanogan Black Ale

Pinthouse Pizza
4729 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78756
Taproom Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11am-11pm & Thursday-Saturday 11-12am
What to expect: An ode to the classic combination of pizza and beer, masterful IPAs and pale ales, barrel aging program and a second south location in the works!
Must try beer: For everyday drinking–Calma Muerta session IPA, for a special treat–Jaguar Shark bourbon barrel aged imperial dry Irish stout.

Red Horn Coffee House & Brewing Co.(Coming soon!)
13010 W Parmer Ln #800
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Taproom Hours: Should be open for business any week now!
What to expect: Brewpub & coffee shop/ roastery in Austin’s northern suburb
Must try beer: The yet-to-be-released semi sweet breakfast stout which will be brewed with coffee roasted in house.

Rogness Brewing Company
2400 Patterson Industrial Dr
Pflugerville, TX 78660
Taproom Hours: Thursdays 6-10pm & Fridays 4-10pm
What to expect: Family owned brewery on the Austin/ Pflugerville line, wide array of styles, super pet friendly with weekly yappy hours.
Must try beer: Yogi chai spiced amber

 

South

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (The ABGB)
1305 W Oltorf St
Austin, TX 78704
Taproom Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-11pm, Friday 11:30-12am, Saturday 12pm-12am & Sunday 12am-10pm
What to expect: Balanced and refreshing classic styles with occasional experimental releases, creative pizzas, sandwiches and salads using locally sourced ingredients, large beer garden, friendly vibe & industrial decor.
Must try beer: Day Trip Pale Ale for some hoppy, citrus goodness. Be sure to also try any fruited sour they might have in rotation.

(512) Brewing Company
407 Radam Ln
Austin, TX 78745
Taproom Hours: Tours at 11am & 12:30pm most Saturdays.
What to expect: Super solid flagship brews. Warehouse vibe, with weekly tours. Reserve a spot on a tour via Eventbrite.
Must try beer: The classic (512) Pecan Porter, or anything they might have thrown in a firkin.

Independence Brewing Co.
3913 Todd Ln #607
Austin, TX 78744
Taproom Hours: Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 4-9pm & Saturday 1-7pm
What to expect: Growing Austin brewery with a newly revamped taproom and expanded hours.
Must try beer: Newish additions to the lineup Power & Light or White Rabbit

Kamala Brewing at The Whip In
1950 South IH35
Austin, TX 78704
Taproom Hours: 10-12am seven days a week
What to expect:Brewpub meets bodega meets beer bar meets Indian fusion restaurant meets live music spot.
Must try beer: Bitterama, a GABF gold medal winning ESB brewed with bergamot.

Middleton Brewing
101 Oakwood Loop
San Marcos, TX 78666
Taproom Hours: Thursday & Friday 2-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm & Sunday 12-7pm
What to expect: Destination brewery out on the road between San Marcos and Wimberley with a rooftop deck. Brewing Belgian, English and American style beers and producing the best spent grain crackers you’ve ever tasted.
Must try beer: Pepperhead IPA or any of the brewery’s sour experiments.

North by Northwest Restaurant & Brewery (South Location)
5701 West Slaughter Lane #D
Austin, TX 78749
Taproom Hours:Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday 11-12am, Saturday 10-12am & Sunday 10am-11pm.
What to expect: New southern location of the Austin institution. Same tasty menu, similar lodge-like decor.
Must try beer: Upgrayedd India Pale Lager

South Austin Brewery
415 E St Elmo Rd
Austin, TX 78745
Taproom Hours: Friday 5:45-10pm
What to expect:Warehouse vibe, weekly happy hours with live music.
Must Try Beer: Latest release–Crossroads Coffee Stout

Uncle Billy’s Brew & ‘Que
1530 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Taproom Hours:11-2am seven days a week
What to expect: South Austin BBQ joint and brewpub that just underwent an expansion and has a new Head Brewer at the helm, large patio, variety of house beers and guest beers.
Must try beer: Gypsy Dubbel Coffee Porter a collaboration between Uncle Billy’s and Christine Celis and Kim Clark of Celis Brewery fame.

 

East

Blue Owl Brewing (Coming soon!)
E Cesar Chavez & Pedernales
Taproom Hours: Opening soon!
What to expect: Sour mashed canned session beers in East Austin from former Black Star Co-op Brewmaster Jeff Young.
Must try beer: Spirit Animal sour pale ale

Hops & Grain
507 Calles Street, Suite 101
Austin, TX 78702
Taproom Hours: Wednesday-Friday 2-10pm, Saturday 12-8pm & Sunday 12-6pm
What to expect: Lots of taproom only exclusives, everyone’s a regular, plenty of board games and special events.
Must try beer: If you’ve never had an H&G beer start with the easy drinkin’ The One They Call Zoe, next try anything that includes the words Del Roble.

Live Oak Brewing Co.
3301 E 5th St
Austin, TX 78702
Taproom Hours: Open select Saturdays. Check website.
What to expect: German beers brewed in East Austin, new brewery coming sometime in the future but for now visit this Austin original on select Saturdays.
Must try beer: The world renowned Live Oak HefeWeizen

Zilker (Coming soon!)
1701 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702
Taproom Hours: Opening soon!
What to expect: Belgo-American session beers served in a warm yet industrial taproom right in the heart of East 6th st.
Must try beer: BSB (Belgian style bitter)

 

West

Infamous Brewing Co.
4602 Weletka Dr
Austin, TX 78734
Taproom Hours: Thursday 4-9pm, Friday 4-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1-5pm
What to expect: Cold beer and hot rods near Lake Travis.
Must try beer: Sweep the Leg Peanut Butter Stout for a unique drinking experience.

Jester King Brewery
13187 Fitzhugh Rd
Austin, TX 78736
Taproom Hours: Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm & Sunday 12-6pm
What to expect: World class farmhouse beers served out of one of Austin’s most scenic breweries, special taproom only releases using locally cultivated yeast, fruit and all kinds of unique ingredients harvested from the Texas Hill Country.
Must try beer: Whatever beer they just happen to be releasing that weekend.

Last Stand Brewing
1234 Pauls Valley Rd.
Building I Austin, TX 78737
Taproom Hours: Saturday 1-5pm
What to expect:Brand new little brewery off Fitzhugh with a quaint beer garden.
Must try beer: They’re brand new, go experiment for yourself!

Oasis, Texas Brewing Co.
6550 Comanche Trail
Austin, TX 78732
Taproom Hours: Thursday 5-10pm, Friday 2pm-12am,Saturday 12pm-12am & Sunday 12-10pm
What to expect: Gorgeous views of Lake Travis and easy drinkin’ canned session beers, plus a little Noble Sandwiches location.
Must try beer: GABF gold medal winner London Homesick Ale

Real Ale Brewing Company (Blanco, TX)
231 San Saba Ct
Blanco, TX 78606
Taproom Hours: Friday & Saturday 11am-5pm
What to expect: One of the largest craft breweries in Texas now boasts a beautiful new taproom and Saturday hours.
Must try beer: Good old Hans’ Pils, or whatever they happen to have available from the experimental Mysterium Verum series.

Save the World Brewing
1510 Resource Parkway
Marble Falls, TX 78654
Taproom Hours: Friday 3-6pm & Saturday 12-5pm
What to expect: Mostly Belgian style beers brewed with a philanthropic mission.
Must try beer:Lux Mundi,a patersbier brewed in the tradition of the Trappist monks.

Smoke’n Hops
3799 E US 290
Dripping Springs, Texas
Taproom Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
What to expect:BBQ restaurant and brewery out on Highway 290 in Dripping Springs.
Must try beer: Whatever this small batch brewpub happens to have available for sippin’ at the time of your visit.

Solid Rock Brewing
2214 Bee Creek Rd
Spicewood, TX 78669
Taproom Hours: Saturday 4-8pm
What to expect: Approachable styles brewed out of a classic red barn.
Must try beer: Trinity Vanilla Milkstout (Winter seasonal)

Strangeland Brewery
5904 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746
Taproom Hours: Friday 5-10pm & Saturday 1-5pm
What to expect:Cozy brewery nestled behind the Hat Creek Burger Company out on Bee Cave Road serving a variety of styles including some taproom only exclusives.
Must try beer: Entire porter

Thirsty Planet at night. Photo credit: Jason Youngblood

Thirsty Planet Brewing Company
11160 Circle Dr
Austin, TX 78736
Taproom Hours: Saturday 11am-3:30pm
What to expect: An inviting taproom and tasty, approachable beers out in the Texas Hill Country.
Must try beer: The Silverback Pale Ale if it happens to be in season, or might as well opt for their flagship Thirsty Goat.

Twisted X Brewing Company
23455 W RR 150
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Taproom Hours: Monday-Thursday 1-8pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-8pm & Sunday 12-6pm
What to expect:”Tex Mex beers”served out of a true destination brewery.
Must try beer: Señor Viejo Imperial Black Lager

-Caroline