A Beer Lover's Guide to Austin Bars & Breweries
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest and a recent transplant to Colorado, beer has been a big part of my adult life. Brewery hopping is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, and Austin had a large selection of breweries and bars to choose from. Here’s a list of my favorite bars and breweries in Austin. There’s lots of beers, and not enough time to try them all so choose wisely and as always, please drink responsibly.
The Grackle
While looking for a vegetarian friendly place to eat for my friend Kaylena, we stumbled upon a food truck outside of The Grackle Bar. Intrigued by the name of the bar (apparently Ryan’s favorite bird), we sat at a picnic table outside and I enjoyed the IPA they had on draft against a cactus backdrop.
The mood of the patio, with its whimsical spray painted murals on sheet metal fences, the hand-painted desert images on the side of the vegan food truck and cute industrial style string lights was a stark contrast to the dark, dive-bar feel inside.
If you’ve got a competitive spirit and the alcohol is making you feel confident in your skills, head inside and challenge a friend to a game of pool or darts and see who gets to carry home the bragging rights. With a wide selection of beer on tap, as well as a large assortment of hard alcohol, you’ll surely find something to your liking.
Zilker Brewing Company
If the huge mural that reads “Fresh Beer Made Here“, isn’t enough to draw you into their open door brewery, you’ll be drawn in by the relaxing outdoor patio vibes and the food truck selection at Zilker Brewing Company.
The food truck parked on the day I visited was called “Spicy Bros“, who served a Southern and Asian fusion of fried chicken and curry. I decided to brave the fire and got the fried chicken, and the heat hit me harder than I anticipated.
Luckily this brewery had a wide selection of beers so I decided to get myself a flight of 3-5oz pours. Each of these three IPAs had such a unique flavor, and helped suppress the lingering spices from the fried chicken.
The spacious, dog-friendly outdoor patio space made for a great place to hang out with friends. As we were sitting and enjoying our food & beer, a small group of girls on a bachelorette party beer tour quickly stopped in for their own taste.
Make sure you snag one of their seasonal beers while you’re there, because they’ll run out before you know it!
Revelry Kitchen & Bar
Sunday February 3rd, 2019. Superbowl Sunday. My friends and I weren’t too interested in the Superbowl this year because, well…we’re not a fan of the Patriots. We weren’t incredibly invested in the game, but wanted to peak at the score every once in awhile, so we decided to stop in at a lively and loud sports bar, even if it was just to enjoy the atmosphere.
I ordered the (512) Brewing Co IPA and Ryan got the Amber on draft. Sitting at a picnic table on the outdoor second-story porch, we could look out and see the sunset glow lighting up the Austin skyline. With plenty of TV screens inside and out you don’t have to turn your head too far to catch the score of the game.
Hops and Grain Brewing Co
From my conversations with the locals in Austin, hops and grain is one of the most widely-known breweries in the city.
In order to get to the taproom, I had to walk along the entire warehouse where the brewing process was happening. Unfortunately, they didn’t provide tours through their processing plant, but it would have been interesting to watch their process in motion.
They had a handful of picnic tables right outside of their taproom, though this space didn’t have a much a view and was adjacent to the loading dock. The interior space was well decorated and spacious, but we decided to sit outside and enjoy the cold beer out in the warm Texas weather. The bartender helped me select a variety of IPAs, and unfortunately I only got to try 4 of their 7 IPAs. Luckily, I was informed that several of their beers were available both in store and on tap in the Denver area. It will be a fun adventure going around to the different bars in Denver to find them!
Lazarus Brewing Company
It was a little past lunch time in East Austin and I was ready for a bite to eat. We walked by Lazarus Brewing Company and I was glad to see that they also had a kitchen. They had an option to get a flight with 5 - 5oz pours, and since they had a decent selection of beers I wanted to try, I opted for the flight.
They had a simple selection of tacos and tortas, so I decided to grab three tacos to go with my beer. The homemade salsas that they had available were at just the right amount of spice to make the tacos interesting.
Looking around, we were surprised at how many people were busy at work on their laptops in this brewery. In addition to being a good hangout spot, Lazarus is also a popular place for people to study and work. If you’re easily distracted by loud conversation, and constant commotion, maybe opt for a quieter cafe.
Before you head out, make sure to look up at the stained-glass dome ceiling in the outdoor dining space. The religious theme runs strong in this brewery from the name of the beers to the symbolic decor.
Craft Pride
Proud of their selection of 100% local Texas beers, Craft Pride is a traveling beer-lover’s dream come true. Their beer selection was large enough that their chalkboard display was both overwhelming and exciting. Separating the beers by category (Hoppy, Malty, Sour, Stouts/Porters , etc) no matter your beer taste, you’re bound to find something you like.
We visited this bar on a Monday and were lucky enough to arrive shortly before the live music started on their back patio. Graced by a local folk artist and several guest musicians, we decided to stay longer than originally planned. The Viva313 food truck in the back courtyard served Detroit style square deep dish pizzas and was a perfect addition to our night.
This neighborhood is Austin’s best kept secret, so if you’re looking for a laid back evening, make your way to Craft Pride on Rainey Street. Hang out with the locals, listen to some great music, and enjoy all that small town Texas breweries have to offer. Make sure you check their event calendar before you go to see what kind of live music will be hosted that evening!
White Horse
If you’re looking for a classic Texas experience White Horse is the place to go. You don’t have to like country music, know how to swing dance, or own a cowboy hat. make your way down to this iconic Texas bar to get the ultimate “Heart of America“ experience. Austin is a bit of a blue dot in a red sea, and you won’t find too many country-folk in this big city, but since you’re in the great state of Texas, it would be a shame not to checkout at least one country bar.
You’ll be able to see the lit-up marquee sign from down the block, and as you arrive to the entrance, you’ll be greeted by a classic cowboy gentleman asking you for your ID. Step into a dark room with live country music and a lively crowd - the stage will be lit with red spotlights and the bar will be showcasing their wide selection of good ol’ Texas beers.
Drink up a cold one and hop onto the dance floor with your partner, or choose to sit on the side and watch the couples two-step to the twangy country tunes, no matter what you choose, make the most of your time in this unique establishment.
