10 Must-Try Craft Breweries in Austin
Discover > Best Of Texas > 10 Must-Try Craft Breweries in Austin
Texas boasts a long history of beer-making heritage inspired by early generations of Czech and German immigrants. There were just 20 craft breweries in the state back in 2005. Now with more than 300, most of the craft breweries are in Austin's city limits.
Needless to say, there has been a massive shift with the popularity of independent local breweries that offer a strong variation of great flavor, unique atmosphere, and quantity of brews over the years.
We took the time to compile 10 of the best craft breweries across Austin whose stories and whose beers were recognized in Texas and beyond.
North Austin
Austin Beerworks
© Austin Beerworks
With the co-founders Michael Graham, Michael McGovern, Will Golden, and Adam DeBower believing that beer brings people together, they have established their brand with the notion that people will have a better time with their beers. Quality beer = quality life. Or the other way around.
The brewery gained national recognition back when they were featured in Forbesâ 11 best beers list back in 2018 and the other time they sold a 99-pack of their Peacemaker Anytime Ale beer.
Their taproom is currently not operational due to COVID-19. You may pick-up your online orders from their brewery at 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, daily.
Must-try craft beer: Pear Snap, a delightful German-style pilsner balanced with a clean malt note and moderate carbonation.
3001 Industrial Ter, Austin, TX 78758. Call 512-821-2494. Visit Austin Beerworks for more information.
Celis Brewery
Pierre Celis, a Belgian brewer who is known to be âFather of Witbierâ, introduced aromatic white beer in the United States back in 1992âbut long before that in the 1960s, he put up his first Witbier brewery in Hoegaarden, Germany.
© Celis Brewery
The brewery and taproom in Austin just re-opened in 2017. With a lot that happened with Celis Brewery over the years, their world-famous white beer screams passion and legacy.
Their business hours have shortened because of the pandemic. If youâre planning to pay a visit, make sure to call first to save you a trip.
Must-try craft beer: Celis White, a signature witbier sparkling with remnants of coriander and orange peel.
10001 Metric Blvd., Austin, TX 78758. Call 512-524-2377. Visit Celis Brewery for more information.
Central Austin
Hi Sign Brewing
From a dream to put up a brewery and a distant memory with a loving father, Hi Sign Brewing came to be. A Marine Corps veteran, Mark Phillipp, developed his interest in craft beers at such a young age. It wasnât until after he finished his stint in the military that he finally decided to put up his craft brewery together with his colleagues who are experts themselves in the beverage and brewery industries.
© Hi Sign Brewing
Although their taproom is currently closed, you may still catch their craft beers by placing your orders online on their official webpage. When youâve successfully placed your order, get ready to pick it up at their curbside. Or if you want to catch a glimpse of their massive taproom, give them a visit and order a to-go craft beer from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, daily.
Must-try craft beer: Shamus the Fiddle, a beautiful and classic Irish red.
1201 Bastrop Hwy, Bldg A, Austin, TX 78742. Call 512-382-5264. Visit Hi Sign Brewing for more information.
Live Oak Brewing Co
Chip McElroy placed his Chemistry knowledge into productive use long before anyone else knew what craft beer brewing is in Austin. Chip put up his brewery and sold his first craft beer in Austin back in 1997 and since then, Live Oak Brewing Co made extraordinary beers based on classic lagers and ales of Central Europe and the US. They offer a wide selection of craft beers that are available year-round, seasonally, and some other limited offerings.
© Live Oak Brewing Co
Live Oak makes smoked beer, a very unique method wherein they are taking the malt used in brewing and roasts it over an open fire that imparts smokiness. They took this as an inspiration from old-world practices in Bamberg, Germany.
If youâre planning to grab a beer from them, you may visit them from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Sundays through Thursdays and from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Must-try craft beer: Rauchbier: Bamberg on the Colorado, a smoked craft beer.
1615 Crozier Lane, Del Valle, TX 78617. Call 512-385-2299. Visit Live Oak Brewing Co for more information.
East Austin
Blue Owl Brewing
With a very unique concept as an all-sour craft brewery established in 2014, owners Suzy Shaffer and Jeff Young admit that they have been converting non-drinking people to drink their refreshing, light beers.
© Blue Owl Brewing
Wanting to try their sour punch? The souring style accentuates the beer rather than dominating oneâs taste buds. The tasting room is currently closed in observance of COVID-19â but you may still purchase their beers by placing your orders on their website. Wait for your purchase and receive it at the comforts of your home.
Must-try craft beer: Professor Black, a fair amount of sweetness to help balance all the bitterness, sourness, and roastiness.
2400 E Cesar Chavez, St #300, Austin, TX 78702. Call 512-593-1262. Visit Blue Owl Brewing for more information.
Zilker Brewing Co
Co-owners Patrick and Forrest Clark with their high school best friend Marco Rodriguez started brewing back in 2008 with a simple setup in their garage wherein they won several brewing competitions. Their awards and recognition were the final kicks they needed to finally open the brewery of their dreams in 2015.
© Zilker Brewing Co
Their sleek and industrial taproom is closed but that doesnât stop them from making their beers readily available for purchase. Just head over to their website and place your beer of choice and pick it up from their brewery on Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Must-try craft beer: Coffee Milk Stout Crowler, coffee, creamy, and robust.
1701 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702. Call 512-712-5590. Visit Zilker Brewing Co for more information.
West Austin
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
After their launch in 2014, the brewery has won two medals at the Great American Beer Fest for their staple beers, made possible by Spencer Tielkemeier along with his great team of brewers.
© Oasis Texas Brewing Company
With their strategic taproom location situated right above Lake Travis, locals and travelers alike are sure to come on a regular day to enjoy live music, grab a beer and dine, and enjoy the panoramic views. With a widely-known selection of beers, Oasis Texas Brewing Company is catering to its fans from Alabama and Florida.
Must-try craft beer: London Homesick Ale, their award-winning flavor.
6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732. Call 512-284-9407. Visit Oasis Texas Brewing Company for more information.
Jester King Brewery
An authentic farmhouse brewery committed to mixed culture and spontaneous fermentation, Jester Kingâs primary objective is to work closely with the local community to produce creative beers. In creating their beer concoction, they make use of well water, local grains, aged hops in their barn, local fruits and vegetables, foraged plants, and native yeast and bacteriaâdrawn inspiration from classic farmhouse breweries in Europe.
© Granger Coats
Founders Jeff Stuffings and Michael Steffing spent the latter part of 2009 to build their brewery and in October 2010, they sold their first beer.
The brewery is unavailable for dine-in but there are other options available such as curbside, pick-up, and take-out. You may head to their online website or call their hotline number to place your orders.
Must-try craft beer: Biere De Coupage, a blend of spontaneously fermented beer and young dry-hopped Saison.
13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736. Call 512-900-9079. Visit Jester King Brewery for more information.
South Austin
Independence Brewing Co
Independence Brewing Co proudly serves and brews craft beers for the âindependent thinkers and drinkersâ in Austin. It was just the second production craft brewery in Austin back in 2014. The founders, Amy and Rob Cartwright (together with their dog, Jasper), established the brewery on a shoestring budget in an extremely remote area of South Austin. After 16 years, it's one of the longest-standing breweries in Central Texas.
© Independence Brewing Co
Their industrial-style laid back tasting room features views of their beer-making process, along with local musicians who showcase their music. To ensure the safety of their staff and the public, they are accommodating beer-to-go only via curbside pick-up from Wednesdays through Sundays at 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. To place your order, visit their official online page.
Must-try craft beer: Native Texan Pilsner, a beer brewed in Texas, by Texans, for Texans.
3913 Todd Lane Suite, #607, Austin, TX 78744. Call 512-707-0099. Visit Independence Brewing Co for more information.
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
Started as a collaboration between a group of friends back in 2013, ABGB runs on a philosophy that âbeer makes it betterâ. The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company is home to some (if not all) of the best craft beer variations in Austin. They are continuously being regarded as one of the best brewpubs in the country with their 10-beer menu all year round.
© The ABGB
With their success, they make sure to give back to the community. Their Hell Yes Project made them genuinely believe that their craft brewery has the power to make the Austin community better. In every purchase you make, a guaranteed 5% goes back to the Austin community.
ABGB currently accommodates orders placed via phone call or via their official site. You can purchase beer in cans or a keg. You may opt to pick-up your orders or have them delivered at home.
Must-try craft beer: Rocket 100, a three-time Great American Beer Festival gold winner in the American-style or International-style Pilsener beer-style category.
1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704. Call 512-298-2242. Visit The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company for more information.
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