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All Austin Breweries and Brewpubs Open For Onsite Consumption
Governor Abbot’s executive order affecting bars and taprooms is still in place; however, after changing the guidelines more than once some breweries and brewpubs have started to slowly reopen for on-site consumption (things are changing daily, check with the brewery). Know the rules of engagement! Most establishments are requiring the use of a facial covering when you are not seated at your table. You must be seated to receive service with no more than ten […]
Black Pumas & 4th Tap Brewing Beer for Justice
While 2020 has been overshadowed by plight and uncertainty it has also brought creativity and innovation. Watching as the brewery world consistently collaborates using their position to bring awareness to meaningful causes is truly inspiring. Breweries and artists alike are fighting to survive and many are doing their best to also make the world a better place in the process. Supporting our local artists and creators is crucial. A world without music, beer, good food, […]
Austin Weekly Beer Releases July 31st
Austin Weekly Beer Releases Check out Austin craft beer releases and openings that are happening around town this week. Austin Area Brewery Map No one really knows all of the current rules for taprooms, but pretty much every one of them is open for beer to go. If you are lucky, you may be able to have a beer on the patio to go along with it. As always, check their hours. It seems to change […]
Black is Beautiful, Support Marvis Dixon & the Virtual 5k
The Black is Beautiful worldwide beer collaboration has been lovingly embraced by many Austinites & local breweries. For those that are not familiar with the initiative, Weathered Souls has asked breweries globally (over 1k now worldwide participating) to come together to help bridge the gap for equality, to raise awareness & funds for the injustices people of color face daily. Weathered Souls provided the stout recipe as well as artwork, provided by Austin artist, KD […]
Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks | Summer 2020
Texas Brewery Update | January 2020
Austin Weekly Beer Releases July 31st
Cheers to our Sponsors!
Women in Beer | Sheila Garcia
When I started writing for CraftBeerAustin.com back in 2015, my first series of articles was about Women in Beer. I am happy to announce that thanks to the ladies of the Austin chapter of the Pink Boots Society, I am bringing back the Women in Beer series. This edition features Sheila Garcia, Marketing & Hospitality Manager at Hold Out Brewing and Austin Chapter Co-Leader for Pink Boots Society. Describe your average week. What are you responsible for? […]
Banger’s 8th Anniversary Party, Pandemic Edition
Although Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden has been closed since March 16th due to that pesky pandemic, they are not letting it spoil their anniversary fun! Krissy Carter, Director of Event Operations, shared, “During this time, we have worked diligently to plan and prepare for when we might reopen. Though we don’t have a date in mind just yet, we did know one thing- we want to celebrate Banger’s 8 Year Anniversary (even if […]
Skull Mechanix is Permanently Closed
Another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, Skull Mechanix announced on social media they are permanently closed. Rumors of the popular music venue and brewery’s closure have been swirling around since the start of the pandemic and after their brewing equipment showed up for sale on a few websites. We reached out for confirmation but didn’t have the chance to speak with them prior to their social media post. From their heartfelt social media post: “As […]
Did More Texas Breweries Just Get the Green Light to Reopen? Maybe…
In yet another reversal, some breweries are now presumably allowed to open for onsite consumption. In mid-July, the TABC advised Saint Arnold Brewing Company to abruptly shut down its beer garden and restaurant operations because the Governor’s office advised them that their distribution sales counted as part of the 51% revenue calculation. Further, there was no advanced warning, (which is no surprise at this point). This past Friday, the TABC posted new guidance about the […]
Austin Weekly Beer Releases July 24th
Austin Weekly Beer Releases Check out Austin craft beer releases and openings that are happening around town this week. Austin Area Brewery Map Breweries will need our support on ordering beer to go as most have been ordered to shut their doors once again to drinking on site. There are still some exceptions to this rule (if they sell more food than beer). Those that cannot have people on site, please do support, some will not […]
Black is Beautiful Austin Brewery Releases, Part 2
Below is Part 2 of a 2 Part Series that will announce the Austin area Black is Beautiful releases. What is the Black is Beautiful project? It is the creation of San Antonio’s Weathered Souls Head Brewer & Co-Owner, Marcus Baskerville raising awareness of the injustices people of color face. “With the current tensions that are rising we thought that it was of grave importance to start the Black Is Beautiful initiative. We took a […]
Another Day, Another TABC Ruling that Hurts the Texas Craft Beer Industry
The TABC announced on Wednesday that they were going back on another press release that they put out the Friday before. That release was simply allowing brewpubs and breweries, who sold beer to go, to rezone their patios and allow people to drink their to-go beer on the patios. It was, what seemed like, a simple gesture to give some breathing room to the already struggling brewery industry. Over the last 5 days that this […]
Want Beer Delivery During the COVID-19 Crisis? Act Now!
Austin rejoiced when we heard local restaurants can now add alcohol to the line up of delivery and to-go options with a food order. Governor Abbott signed the waiver earlier this week as a temporary measure to help business affected by the statewide mandate to close dining rooms and bars. However, the measure only allows relief to businesses holding a mixed beverage license; therefore, does not apply to breweries, who can currently only sell beer-to-go […]
Save Texas Breweries! 2 Out of 3 Members May Close by 2021
According to a survey of members by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, two out of every three Texas craft breweries will be forced to permanently close by the end of 2021 due to the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19 and back-to-back shutdowns of on-premise business at “51% establishments.” Key Survey Takeaways: One in three Texas craft breweries says they’ll be forced to close in the next three months without some change to the […]
Breweries Are Not Bars | One Brewery’s Unique Fight to Reopen
When the Governor decided to yet again close bars in order to slow the spread of the pandemic, he did so by lumping breweries that were operating safely in with bars that clearly were not. Local Austin area breweries went out of their way to safely open, most only opening their outdoor patios. They required masks, distanced tables, provided contactless payments, and some even created outdoor spaces that didn’t exist before the pandemic. While breweries […]
Being a Beer Enthusiast Can be Hard Work
Feature written by Brian Trivitt What typically comes to your mind when you are shopping for beer? Or, how about before you crack open a cold one after work? Are analysis and looking back over past notes two things that came to mind? Probably not. Believe it or not, being a beer connoisseur is actually quite challenging, especially when you have a very analytical personality. Before I get into what I analyze while sipping a […]
BREAKING NEWS | Brewery Patios are Back Open for Business
New guidance from the TABC just came out that will allow breweries and brewpubs across the state to temporarily modify their licensed premises for alcohol consumption. So what does that mean? In a nutshell, breweries can temporarily modify their license to exclude the patio or outdoor area. By doing so, consumers are allowed to buy beer-to-go, then venture to the newly unlicensed outdoor space and enjoy their purchase. Retailers are also allowed to modify premises […]
Get Ready for National Independent Beer Run Day!
National Independent Beer Run Day kicks off again this year on July 3rd. “Ahead of summer’s biggest holiday, Independence Day, the Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers— is coordinating the second annual National Independent Beer Run Day alongside craft breweries nationwide,” per the press release. At a time when Austin area breweries have been hit hard by the effects of the novel coronavirus and there is a looming possibility […]
Texas Brewery Taprooms Are Closed Again
Governor Abbot issued an executive order this morning closing businesses that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages starting at 12 p. m. today: “These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.” Earlier this week the Governor highlighted the need for wearing masks in public places and encouraged people to stay home if possible. He […]
Is Big Bend Brewing Company Making a Return with Tejas Beer?
In a word – no. Last week a series of Instagram posts created quite a stir among fans of Big Bend Brewing Company in Alpine, Texas. Many of the brewery’s fans still follow them on Instagram and Facebook and last week a new post popped up on their social media platforms promising the return of the brand’s iconic Tejas line of beers with the tag line: “Finally, a beer that embodies our collective Texas spirit. […]
Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks | Summer 2020
Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks | Summer 2020 With summer approaching and temperatures rising, the team got together to bring you our Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks for Summer 2020. What are we drinking to stay cool and have fun over the next few months. What beers do we recommend to help our communities, to aid our industry friends and to help us all get through the seemingly never ending Dog Days of Summer. […]
Six Austin Area Breweries Opening During the Pandemic
Well, it is already June and COVID-19 is still rearing its ugly head. Austin businesses are continuing to kick butt figuring out the ins and outs of the madness and do their best to navigate the various reopening regulations. The Austin beer community is supporting each other in such a lovely way and the camaraderie is inspiring. The plethora of new breweries that are in the process of opening to varying degrees during this pandemic, […]
Black is Beautiful, Breweries Raise a Glass to Fight Racial Discrimination
Photo credit to Weathered Souls Brewing In recent years, beer-lovers have watched in awe of the camaraderie and supportive power the beer community can foster. Massive initiatives like Sierra Nevada’s Resilience IPA raising money to rebuild after the California wildfires, and more recently, Other Half’s All Together mission supporting hospitality professionals affected by Covid19, are testaments to how beer can rally people around a cause. The power of unity through beer is undeniable and sparked […]
Austin Area Breweries Brew All Together IPA
Austin Area Breweries Brew All Together IPA Breweries all over Texas and the world are working on the collaboration of All Together IPA. The All Together IPA collaboration began with Other Half Brewery out of Brooklyn. They state it is a worldwide, open-ended beer collaboration created to raise support for the industry that they love so much. Read more about the inspiration of the All Together IPA here. A few Austin area breweries took the […]
Homebrewing During a Global Pandemic
While we all hunker down, a copious amount of unexpected time to investigate untapped hobbies and get creative has suddenly appeared. People are taking up new fitness practices, crafting, learning musical instruments, languages…homebrewing? Why not? With extra time abounding, what better opportunity to take up the skill of brewing your own beer? Some of Austin’s homebrewing gurus were happy to share their tips on how to get started on the journey. I had the pleasure […]
Texas Breweries Brew All Together IPA
Texas Breweries Brew All Together IPA By Now, maybe you have heard of the worldwide collaboration of All Together IPA. If Not, read more about the inspiration of the All Together IPA here. Many Texas breweries have brewed or are going to brew this collaboration. A few of the Texas Brewers explained to us, their decision to join this collaboration and how it will help their community. Künstler Brewing: San Antonio, TX: Released on April […]
Best Austin Beers for Memorial Day 2020
Best Austin Beer to Drink this Memorial Day It is going to be an interesting Memorial Day. We have places starting to reopen. We have weather that is not conducive to grilling or swimming. But at least we have beer and each other. So I polled the team and a couple of r/AustinBeer redditors to see what they would be drinking over the long weekend. Here are the results: Andrew Hold Out | […]
Barking Armadillo Brings Craft Beer to Georgetown During a Pandemic
Feature post by Ruvani De Silva Most of us have been put out, inconvenienced and financially disadvantaged by Covid-19, but when you’ve put years of planning, preparation, love, and investment into building your very own brewery taproom, only to have it closed down just two weeks after your launch party, that’s got to be a huge kick in the head, right? Well yes, but for Barking Armadillo’s Jacob Trimm and Brian Cantu, they are not […]
TABC Label and Brewery Approvals May 22nd, 2020
Continuing the label approvals for another couple of weeks. Seems like things have slowed down a bit since the last couple of updates (honestly, this does not surprise me in the least). Either way, here are the latest brewery/label approvals. Recent Brewery Approvals: Note: I have only been putting new brewery approvals here – anything that is just getting reapproved, I do not list. Along with this, any macro brewery that is approved, I do […]
