Updated April 2024
Since this article was originally published, several breweries have closed or made changes to their mug club. Updates are in parentheses next to the brewery name.
Mug Clubs have been an essential part of the craft beer scene in the United States for decades as a way to reward regulars, foster loyalty to tap rooms, and help small breweries make money at the end of the year. Almost a third of Central Texas breweries have some sort of rewards or membership program, and several others have clubs under development (several bars also have a similar program, including Austin mainstays Easy Tiger and Banger's). Not all mug clubs are created equal: some are as simple as a points-per-dollar-spent reward, while others bestow lifetime discounts and, in the case of North Austin’s Black Star Co-Op, an ownership stake in the brewery itself. Some clubs use a common love of beer to organize volunteers. Dusty Smith, co-owner of Marble Falls’ Double Horn Brewing, finds that his brewery’s mug club has become a source of pride for participants: "It’s a fun little community. When we sell the memberships, people will get in line early to get a low number mug as a status symbol."
Central Texas Mug Clubs
12 Fox: Two-tiered membership program: $250 annual membership with one free beer per visit (Limited to 100 people) or a $1000 lifetime membership with one free beer per visit (limited to 50 people). Corporate sponsorship options are also available. Additional details and sign-up at https://12foxbeer.com/membership
Acopon: $100 annual Society membership includes a special glass at the tasting room with your name on it. $1 off every beer and a free pour of any new releases or pilot batch during the release week. Also includes Wednesday happy hour specials, a members-only party, the potential to help design a beer, priority admission to special events including the Founder’s Day party, and the ability to purchase kegs to go.
ABGB: Hell Yes Project. Volunteers work with Austin non-profits including Austin Pets Alive!, the Sims Foundation, AIDS Services of Austin, Habitat for Humanity, HAAM, Foundation Communities, and the Central Texas Food Bank. More information at https://theabgb.com/hell-yes-project/
Barking Armadillo: VIP Lifetime membership for $999 and $799 for a companion membership. Includes VIP edition growler with a free first fill, one free beer per visit for life, a t-shirt, 10% off all purchases, priority invitation for special events, and exclusive events and samplings. Additional details at https://barkingarmadillo.com/vip-membership/
Beerburg [Permanently Closed]: Book Club with a tasting journal and invitation to year-end appreciation party. If you try 33 unique Beerburg beers as a club member
Bluebonnet: Annual Mug club with limit of 250 members. Membership starting at $300 in January and available for prorated price if you join later in the year. 20oz numbered custom mug, free first pour every visit, and 16oz pour price for 20oz mug fills. Also includes early entry to special events, early access to seasonal releases, experimental, and one-off beers, as well as end of year party with group photo. More information at https://bluebonnetbeerco.com/products/2021-mug-club-membership
Bold Republic: $100 annual membership (limit 125 members). Includes package with certificate, a 21oz numbered mug with a unique design each year, 20% off pours, and a special 32 oz growler with $5 fills. 2022 edition will include a shirt as well and will be available to purchase beginning midnight on Black Friday.
Brewtorium: Mug club exists, but no information available at press time.
Double Horn: $50 annual membership (limit 150 members). Benefits include 22 oz pours for 16 oz price as well as $2.50 pours on Tuesdays, free beer on the day you purchase the membership, one free beer during your birthday month, a t-shirt, a commemorative mug, and an annual members’ party.
HopSquad: Austin FC-themed club. Members purchase a special mug with the Los Verdes logo. Members can bring their mug to the brewery during Major League Soccer and English Premier League games and get $1 off all pours of all beers and $3 refills of the Zapatista Mexican Lager.
Independence: Grackles Club. Pricing and duration not available at press time, but benefits include $1 off all pours, $2 off flights, a free beer on your birthday, free and discounted merchandise, and access to members-only and pre-release beers. Details at https://independencebrewing.com/taproom/#
Jester King: JK Volunteer Corps—free to join. Group of brewery enthusiasts who volunteer with different local non-profits each month. More information and sign-up here: https://jesterkingbrewery.com/jk-volunteer-corps
Last Stand [Permanently Closed]: Annual $100 regular club. Includes a mug with 4oz extra, a t-shirt, and 10% off beer to-go, food, and merchandise.
Lazarus: $1000 lifetime membership in the Patron Saint Program. Includes a unique glass and one free pour per day for life. Only twelve memberships are sold each year and typically are sold during the 12 days of Christmas.
Middleton: $100 annual membership in Goblet Guild. Benefits include an extra 4oz per pour, a Middleton t-shirt or hat, and 20% off anything to go on Wednesdays.
New Braunfels: Sour Junkie Society. Members receive either four or six allocations of four limited releases and exclusive bottles or a single 750ml bottle each summer (each allocation is $35 to $50). Available for shipping if you are unable to pick up at the brewery. Additional benefits include pre-sale opportunities for all new releases, 25% off purchases online and in-person, and free flights of draft and bottle pours for two every time you visit. More details and sign-up at https://new-braunfels-brewing-company.mybigcommerce.com/sour-junkie-society/
Pinthouse Pizza: Jolly Rogers club. Receive one point per dollar spent with rewards at 750 points and above. Additional information and sign-up at https://pinthousepizza.com/burnet/loyalty-program/jolly-rogers
Prost Alehouse: Pfluger Stein Club. $350 annual membership ($280 for returning members). First 150 members receive a laser-etched 30 oz YETI tumbler engraved with their name. Remaining members receive a 20 oz YETI tumbler. Other perks include a free first pour every visit, the 16 oz price for refills, a Mug Club t-shirt, and 10% off of merchandise. More information and sign-up at https://prostalehouse.com/2025-pfluger-stein-club
RedHorn: No beer club, but there is a coffee club available at both locations.
Rentsch: $300 annual membership. Includes 100 free pours.
San Gabriel River: Wide variety of memberships, including monthly bottle club for $37.89, Lifetime membership for $2000 (payment plan available), annual Mug Club membership for $400, and annual Growler Club membership for $450. Additional details at http://www.sangabrielriverbrewery.com/club/bottle-club
Save the World: True Beerliever loyalty club. Annual membership costs $41 to join with a $38 renewal fee. Benefits include a t-shirt, a personal glass at the taproom, free pour upon becoming a member, free pour on renewal day, free birthday month pour, 15% discount on all beer to go, and a newsletter. Information at https://savetheworldbrewing.com/beerliever/
Spirit of Texas: Founder’s Club exists, but no information available at press time.
St. Elmo: Points-per-dollar spent rewards program and Hiking League. Sign-up for Hiking League at http://www.stelmobrewing.com/hikingleague
Suds Monkey: Founder’s Club with annual memberships available in July. Information here: https://www.sudsmonkeybrew.com/founders-club/
Texas Beer Co.: $250 annual mug club with prorated pricing available each quarter. Members receive an 18oz numbered stein (2oz of extra beer per pour), one free pour per day, invitation with plus one to annual Mug Club Party, early access to new releases, 10% off merchandise, and a leather 6 pack carrier for the first 50 members. More details and sign-up at https://www.texasbeerco.com/products/2021-mug-club
Vista: Barrel and Beer Garden Clubs. Barrel Club has a $50 membership that includes a free bottle on signing up, six complimentary flights per year, 20% discount on bottles including quarterly allotment, 10% discount on draft beer, 20% discount on merchandise, and access to Vista Library sales, pre-releases, purchasing used barrels, and special event invitations. $300 Year of Beer includes all of these benefits as well as quarterly allotments of six bottles. Beer Garden Club is $180 for six months of membership, which includes four crowlers or two 64oz growler fills, $1 off all drafts, weekly insider specials on Member’s Night, a welcome gift, 10% off merchandise, and invitations and discounted tickets to special events. Additional information at https://vistabrewingtx.vinespring.site/purchase?tags=Club%20Memberships
Westcave: No beer club, but there is a wine club. Additional details here: https://www.westcavecellars.com/wine-club/
