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The birthplace of creative culture and creative beer. What else can you expect from the Live Music Capital of the World than to enjoy the experience with a nice craft beer in your hand?– Craft beers that all of the Austinites are proud of. This sounds like a party you should not miss when you visit Austin, come hell or high water.
You all be ready for this list as we come up with the 12 best breweries in the locale. The list also includes recommendations to make your visit to Austin, Texas, as good as anyone could imagine, so without further ado, let’s jump in.
1. Zilker Brewing Company and Taproom
Let’s start this list with a top-of-the-line entry. Started as a humble taproom set up in a garage, Zilker Brewing has become Austin’s local favorite. Founded by a few Austin locals, brothers Patrick Clark and Forrest Clark, along with their high school best friend, Marco Rodriguez, they started Zilker Brewing Co. in 2008 and later, fully committing their time to improving the brewery in 2015. Through this time brewing, these three men managed to create award-winning beers and have become one of the craft beer pillars in Austin, Texas.
ZBCT promises a community-focused taproom experience filled with urban-sized tables, drinks, food, art, and music. Your stop at Zilker will take you to the next level with their high standards for every pint served. They also ensure that quality control and cleanliness are a significant part of their everyday operations. Locals or even curious visitors can’t help but leave positive reviews, making this place worth checking out.
- Crowd Favorite: Marco IPA. A full-bodied American IPA that pours a rich burnt orange color hopped with Simcoe and El Dorado hops, packed with pine and tropical flavors with 7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Coffee Milk Stout
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout orders. Heated outdoor seating. Covered patio. Bike parking is available. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs are allowed. Free WiFi. Designated smoking area. Child-friendly. Street parking spaces are available.
Hours: Open Mon-Thur 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Address: 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Contact: (512)712-5590 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Austin Beerworks
We are going to the North to visit Austin Beerworks, or as Austinites yell at this place, “A beer garden as good as all git-out!” The four-person team that founded Austin Beerworks has never looked back and continues to seek improvement in their craft. They used their passion to hone and perfect their “core four” beers, which the patrons love and continue to love even more. They also craft unique-flavored seasonal beers, which always sell out when they release them.
Located near the Austin FC Stadium and the Domain, Austin Beerworks is always crowded with amazing people. People enjoy a lively yet enjoyable kind of good time. Aside from their quality to-go-beers, they also have their food truck and fantastic merchandise stand for you to check out along side “new RAD Lab beers,” which they offer weekly and is available all-year-round.
- Crowd Favorite: Fire Eagle. A bold American-style IPA, packed with a hop-forward flavor profile with 7.3% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Pearl-Snap
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout orders. Offers a variety of vegan options. Outdoor seating. Free WiFi. Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available. Dog-friendly. Covered patio. Wheelchair accessible. Bicycle parking is available.
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Address: 3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Contact: (512)821-2494 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Meanwhile Brewing
The Meanwhile Brewing just recently opened in 2020, and this brewery showcases a spacious outdoor area that will welcome craft beer lovers and their families. The team of Meanwhile Brewing has a deep love for soccer and passionate desire for craft beer brewing. Perhaps this is one of the reasons they piqued the interest, respect, and warm welcome of Austinites.
Aside from the 45-yard-long soccer field that they rent out for patrons whole love soccer, they also have a playground area that features a great open area for a family-friendly, fun experience. They also have a large stage for musical acts, storytelling, and movie nights. Food trucks in the area have a variety of foods to choose form that are great addition to the fun outdoor activities and a tremendously crafted local beer.
- Crowd Favorite: Tender Robot. A New England IPA that pours a hazy pint of bursting tropical flavors with 6.1% ABV hopped with Mosaic, Columbus, and Taiheke hops.
- Highly Recommended: Secret Beach
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout and delivery orders. Bicycle parking. Great for children. Wheelchair accessible. Heated outdoor seating. Bicycle parking. Covered patio. Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available.
Hours: Open Mon-Wed 8am-10pm, Thur & Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-9pm
Address: 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
Contact: (512)308-3659 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company is a heavily regarded craft brewery and the three-time consecutive Great American Beer Festival Brewpub of the Year from 2016 to 2018. This South Austin brewery behemoth grew more prominent and took home not only gold medals and other awards but also the hearts for Austin locals.
Considered to this day as the favorite South Austin pizza and pint hangout, this place features a large shaded outdoor patio, a vast indoor space, live music, great Italian food, and a lively ambiance surrounded by their award-winning signature beers. Their parking lot fills up very quickly with live music fans and beer enthusiasts. They also offer an event space, which is very good and ideal for birthdays, family gatherings, or even your very own wedding. ABG is more that just a brewery – it is a great experience that would complete your Austin experience.
- Crowd Favorite: Hell Yes Helles. An award-winning Munich-style Helles lager with 4.5% ABV. Simple, subtle rich, and elegant with exquisite maltiness and a great hop profile.
- Highly Recommended: Superliner
- Hop-py Note: Private lot parking spaces are available. Environmentally conscious packaging. Dog-friendly. Great for children. Offers catering services. Serves lunch and dinner. Bicycle parking. Free WiFi. Outdoor seating. Offers a variety of vegan options. Accepts takeout orders.
Hours: Open Tue-Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-10pm, Mon Closed
Address: 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
Contact: (512)298-2242 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Nomadic Beerworks
Nomadic Beerworks is worth checking out if you are a dog person and a craft beer enthusiast. The brewpub will give you such an eccentric vibe and is unique for its creative small-batch beers served in a laid-back, family-friendly, and dog-friendly taproom, which makes it very one-of-a-kind.
NB has a very clean, well-lighted, and well-decorated indoor area that is comfortable to work from during the day or undoubtedly much better to drop by after a long day’s work! Their indoor space surprisingly has excellent acoustics, bouncing off music that will make you further relax and enjoy a beer or two. Nomadic Beerworks also has a patio beer garden and offers beers to-go if you wish to sip a pint at house or anywhere else you fancy.
- Crowd Favorite: Peak Season. An award-winning New England hazy IPA with 6.6% ABV, packed with juicy-tropical flavors and aroma.
- Highly Recommended: Sunrise Getdown
- Hop-py Note: Wheelchair accessible. Free WiFi. Dog-friendly. Designated smoking area. Bicycle parking spaces are available. Outdoor seating. Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available. Great for children. Accepts takeout orders.
Hours: Open Sun-Wed 11am-9pm, Thur-Sat 11am-10pm
Address: 3804 Woodbury Dr Suite A, Austin, TX 78704
Contact: (512)587-9669 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Pinthouse Pizza Craft Brewpub
Another heavy hitter next on our list is the Pinthouse Pizza Craft Brewpub, one of the most famous Austin breweries with food. The brewpub was started by six friends who share the same passion for craft beer and continue innovating as it grows. It started in 2012 as a single brewpub, and now they have expanded into four locations that features a bar and a restaurant in one.
Currently, you can find 3 of their pubs in Austin, Texas, and you definitely cannot miss them. Multiple awards and notable accolades were awarded to Pinthouse Pizza’s craft beers alongside media recognitions. You need to try out one of their pubs if you are not yet sold and you will surely not regret it and will keep coming back for more.
- Crowd Favorite: Electric Jellyfish. A unique New England hazy IPA hopped with Citra, Chinook, Simcoe, Azacca, Ekuanot, and Galaxy hops. Packed with a floral aroma with hints of lychee, mango, and orange.
- Highly Recommended: Training Bines
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout and delivery orders. Provides a variety of vegan options. Outdoor seating. Covered patio. Offers catering services. Offers military discounts. Private lot parking spaces are available. Dogs are allowed. Wheelchair accessible. TV. Bicycle parking. Uses reusable tableware. Child-friendly. Free WiFi. Serves lunch and dinner.
Hours: Open Sun-Thur 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm
Address: 2201 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Contact: (512)717-0873 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Draught House Pub & Brewery
Next is the Draught House Pub & Brewery which is a renowned brewery that has been featured in several magazines. With all of its engagement, DHPB shows no plan to give up its title as America’s one of the 100 Best Beer Bars. They have many loyal patrons, some even driving miles away to partake in their “pint night,” in which case you will be accumulating your tabs pretty fast with their great beer selection. Not a single place in Austin will give you a better deal than their pint night.
Aside from their in-house brewed beers, they also heavily support local brewers as you will find many of Austin’s popular crafts on their vast menu! You may choose to grab a seat in their dark indoor area or relax on their outdoor patio. The place seems jam-packed most days of the week, but with their highly-rated customer service, you won’t mind it at all.
- Crowd Favorite: Northwestern Pale Ale. A bright American-style pale ale with 5.2% ABV, packed with bold grapefruit flavors and a clean, citrusy profile.
- Highly Recommended: Red Planet
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout orders. Provides plenty of vegan options. Free WiFi. Outdoor seating. Street and private lot parking spaces are available. Great for children. Dog-friendly. TV. Designated smoking area. Wheelchair accessible. Bicycle parking space is available.
Hours: Open Mon-Thur 3pm-12am, Fri-Sun 1pm-12am
Address: 4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756
Contact: (512)452-6258 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Lazarus Brewing
Lazarus Brewing Co. is known best for its pints-on-premise brewery that gives East Austin a funky vibe. The brewery features a low-lit, cozy bohemian feel with low ceilings, a spacious indoor with long bar seats, several tables, and a Starbucks-Esque lounge area. The ambiance will make you feel at home regardless of whether you are along or with friends, enjoying a cold pint of beers.
The house-brewed beers they serve here are primarily European-focused styles but you can always try out something new. They have a wide variety of food to choose from and will get you hooked up as soon as you step into its place. If you are looking for a place to relax with a couple of beers after a stressful long day, this place will never disappoint you.
- Crowd Favorite: 40 Days & 40 Nights. A balanced American-style IPA with 7.5% ABV. A certified desert island beer packed with grapefruit and pine flavors and hints of lemon with a slightly bitter finish.
- Highly Recommended: Double Predestination
- Hop-py Note: Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available. Heated outdoor seating. Covered patio. Bicycle parking. Provides reusable tableware. Dog-friendly. Wheelchair accessible. Free WiFi. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offers a variety of vegetarian options. Accepts delivery and takeout orders.
Hours: Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-11pm, Sat & Sun 9am-10pm
Address: 1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Contact: (512)394-7620 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Batch – Craft Beers and Kolaches
If you’re searching for a brewery with wide selection of beers and a filling meal, then Batch – Craft Beers and Kolaches is an excellent fit for you! The place offers a wide range of wild ales, lagers, and primarily American and New England IPAs. Their kolaches are also a game changer, on par with their great selection of beers, making your visit to this place a great addition to your experience and tummy.
This place is also popular due to its excellent outdoor patio that will give you a campground feel., perfect for unwinding after a hectic day in the office. This brewpub is also an ideal hangout space during the day, as the patio is heavily shaded and dog-friendly. The place also has a spacious indoor setup, but their very tempting and cozy outdoor patio is hard to resist.
- Crowd Favorite: Get Naked. A New England style IPA with 8.2% ABV, double dry hopped with Citra, Elle, Idaho, HBC 472, and Amarillo hops for a hop-forward profile, packed with orange and lemongrass flavors and hints of coconut.
- Highly Recommended: Homogenic
- Hop-py Note: Dogs are allowed. Free WiFi. Designated smoking areas are available. Live music. Private lot parking is available. Great for children. Great for children. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Outdoor seating. Offers vegetarian options. Accepts takeout orders.
Hours: Open Mon-Wed 8am-10pm, Thur & Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-9pm
Address: 3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Contact: (512)401-3025 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Hold Out Brewing
Hold Out Brewing is making its way onto our list. Located just behind Better Half Coffee & Cocktails, the ambiance of the place will give you a surprisingly vibe of Austin’s old era and a young, lively generation. The name “Hold Out” came from the idea that none of the founders of this brewery was an Austenite. Despite this, they never failed to honor and pay tribute to Austin with their very passionately made craft beers, which, together with their food, have been very well received by the town and craft beer professionals.
The place features brewing facility onsite and takes pride on the freshly-sourced foods it serves everyday. You may sit on their outdoor patio at night and enjoy a cold beer while bathing in the moonlight as the moon shines brightly over West Austin or hangout inside the brewpub where it it has a very ample space for everyone.
- Crowd Favorite: Liquid Television. A timeless hazy pale ale brewed with malted wheat, and flaked oat generously hopped with Idaho and Azacca hops for a pillowy, pineapple-kiwi flavor. 6.1% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: New Juice Goofin’
- Hop-py Note: Bicycle parking. Dog-friendly. Wheelchair accessible. Free WiFi. Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available. Outdoor seating. Offers many vegan options. Accepts takeout orders.
Hours: Open Mon 3pm-10pm, Tue-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Address: 1208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78703
Contact: (512)305-3540 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
11. Live Oak Brewing
Live Oak Brewing Co. has been standing the test of time since 1997 and this place never disappoints its loyal patrons with its delicious lagers and ales. Live Oak seems to be one of the foundations of Austin’s brewery and taproom standards. After making East Austin their home for 19 years, they moved out and built their 22-acre new home in the majestic groves of live oaks along the Colorado River in South Austin.
It is just ten minutes away from downtown and across from the Austin/Bergstrom International Airport. The Live Oak Taproom & Biergarten has a heavily shaded open-air space and a straightforward, spacious indoor taproom with an exciting feature including a glass-covered overview of their brewing facility. Live Oak has got you covered with its Disc Golf activity if you are interested in some outdoor fun while enjoying a cold can of beer.
- Crowd Favorite: HefeWeizen. A timeless German-style beer inspired by the classic beers of Bavaria, brewed with generous amounts of wheat and hops with distinct flavors of vanilla, banana, and clove. 5.2% ABV
- Highly Recommended: Pilz
- Hop-py Note: Heated outdoor seating. Covered patio. Accepts takeout orders. Serves plenty of vegan options. Street parking and private lot parking spaces are available. Wheelchair accessible. Great for children. Accepts takeout orders. Dog-friendly. Bicycle parking is available.
Hours: Open Mon 3pm-10pm, Tue-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Address: 1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617
Contact: (512)385-2299 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
12. Jester King Brewery
This list has no right to be called an outstanding brewpub in Austin, Texas, without including the Jester King Brewery. The majestic outdoor beer garden experience started way back in late 2007 by founder Jeffrey Stuffings as an authentic farmhouse brewery. Located on a 165-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country, JKB can offer you fine-crafted beers, a restaurant, a farm, and an event hall. Their brewery stayed true to its passion and continues to give the authentic experience of its European-brewery-inspired craft beer style.
Visiting Jester King is truly a royal outdoor experience; it has incredible scenery and a great view of their farmhouse brewery while enjoying one of their fine, barrel-aged wild ales. They also have a merchandise shop and inn to accommodate your long weekend stay in the Hill Country. Jester King Brewery is an all-in-one package experience that lets you have that authentic Austin experience.
- Crowd Favorite: Black Metal Farmhouse Imperial Stout. A well-balanced Russian Imperial Stout with 10.8% ABV packed with fascinating yeast complexity featuring the unique fermentation process. Black and roasty profile.
- Highly Recommended: Le Petit Prince
- Hop-py Note: Accepts takeout orders. Takes table reservations. Good for children. Private lot parking space is available. Heated outdoor seating. Covered patio. Bicycle parking. Dog-friendly. Gender-neutral restrooms. Wheelchair accessible. Offers catering services. Plenty of vegetarian options.
Hours: Open Mon 3pm-10pm, Tue-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Contact: (512)661-8736 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
