Aaron Stevens

My fascination with craft beer began in college as a bartender and grew as a volunteer at Peticolas Brewing in Dallas. Since relocating to Austin, I have closely followed the growth and evolution of Central Texas' brewing scene.

Trouble With the Cans: BA’s Midyear Economic Report Shows Gap between On- and Off-Premise Sales

By / August 8, 2022 / Craft Beer News

Trouble With the Cans: BA’s Midyear Economic Report Shows Gap between On- and Off-Premise Sales The latest findings from Brewers Association Chief Economist Bart Watson suggest that draught and taproom sales are on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while packaged sales have tailed off. The overall retail census data overall for restaurants and drinking places shows an inflation-adjusted 15% increase in sales from last year. Reservation data from OpenTable also suggests that …

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Gen Z Alcohol Trends Report Paints Complicated Picture for Craft Beer

By / August 4, 2022 / CBA, Craft Beer News, Features

Gen Z Alcohol Trends Report Paints Complicated Picture for Craft Beer The global COVID-19 pandemic has been among the most disruptive events in the history of craft beer. Thousands of breweries have had to make fundamental, business-altering decisions on the fly. As craft beer emerges from the COVID years, breweries will have to reassess the consumer landscape and adjust their businesses. A crucial piece of the puzzle is the arrival of Generation Z as legal …

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The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Ciders

By / June 17, 2022 / Austin Breweries, CBA

The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Cider Central Texas’ vibrant craft alcohol scene has drawn national praise for at least a decade. While not as numerous as craft breweries or as well known outside of the Lone Star state as Central Texas distilleries, Austin’s cideries are quietly flourishing. From single-apple, barrel-aged ciders to unconventional combinations of fruit and hops to crushable cans, there’s something for every cidery fan in Austin. Argus Cidery 8201 S Congress …

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The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Mug Clubs

By / June 10, 2022 / Austin Breweries, CBA

The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Mug Clubs Updated June 2022 Mug Clubs have been an essential part of the craft beer scene in the United States for decades. These clubs are a great way to reward regulars, foster loyalty to tap rooms, and help small breweries make money. Almost a third of Central Texas breweries have some sort of rewards or membership program. Many others have clubs under development. Some bars have even gotten …

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Three Texas Breweries Make BA’s Annual Production List

By / May 5, 2022 / Austin Breweries, Dallas Breweries, Houston Breweries

Three Texas Breweries Among Top 50 in Craft Beer Production A trio of familiar Lone Star breweries were among the top 50 craft breweries by production in the country last year according to the Brewers Association. The trade group published their annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report for 2021 earlier this month. Gambrinus, which owns Shiner Bock maker Spoetzl, came in at #5 on the BA list. CANarchy (the parent company of Austin’s Oskar Blues …

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The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Brewery Tours

By / February 23, 2022 / Austin Breweries, Beer Trippin', CBA

The Definitive Guide to Central Texas Brewery Tours The City of Austin is home to 45 different breweries within a 326 square mile footprint, plus an additional 71 breweries spread across the 4,285 square miles of the greater Austin area. This vast landscape is conducive to brewery experiences of all shapes and sizes. From the chic, tiny brewpubs of downtown Austin to the sprawling farmstead breweries of the Hill Country and the dozens of hidden …

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Oskar Blues Acquired by Makers of Monster Energy Drink

By / January 18, 2022 / Austin Breweries, Craft Beer News

Oskar Blues Acquired by Makers of Monster Energy Drink Monster Beverage Corporation entered the beer business for the first time on Thursday. The energy drink maker announced the acquisition of CANarchy Collective, the parent company of Oskar Blues Brewery in an all cash deal. The deal is worth $330 million and will take effect at the end of the first quarter. Oskar Blues and the other members of the CANarchy collective will continue to function …

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23rd Annual Learn to Homebrew Day to be Celebrated November 6th

By / November 9, 2021 / Craft Beer News, Event Listings and New Releases, HomeBrewing

23rd Annual Learn to Homebrew Day to be Celebrated November 6th Craft beer enthusiasts looking to take their passion for beer to the next level and veteran homebrewers alike will be celebrating Learn to Homebrew Day this Saturday, November 6. The American Homebrewers Association will be hosting virtual and in-person events nationwide. Aspiring brewers will have two official recipes to pick from: Lucky 13 Dark Mild from Brew’d Up podcast host Laurie Ann Gutierrez, or …

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CBMA 2021

Central Texas Brings Home the Gold (and Platinum) at the 2021 CBMAs

By / October 25, 2021 / Austin Breweries, Craft Beer News, San Antonio Breweries

Central Texas Brings Home the Gold (and Platinum) at the 2021 CBMAs Most craft beer enthusiasts have heard of brewing contests like the Great American Brew Fest and the World Beer Cup, but they may not know about the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. Founded in 2019, the CBMAs celebrate excellence in craft beer marketing and design around the world. A global panel of 300 beer, marketing, and design experts vote on entries to 27 different …

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Bahnbrëcker Releases Slow River Blend Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey

By / October 25, 2021 / Craft Beer News, Event Listings and New Releases

Bahnbrëcker Releases Slow River Blend Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey Central Texas is no stranger to craft distilling or craft beer. Brewers often age beers in liquor barrels and create beers with cocktail flavors but distillers rarely look to beer for new ideas. However, New Braunfels’ Bahnbrëcker is changing this by making a Hefeweizen-inspired whiskey. Slow River Blend is the first release for the distillery, which counts country star Randy Rogers as a co-founder. Bahnbrëcker means “Trailblazer” in …

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Outside the City Limits Festival Coming to Vista Brewing This Weekend

By / October 29, 2021 / Austin Breweries, Charity, Craft Beer News, Event Listings and New Releases

Outside the City Limits Festival Coming to Vista Brewing This Weekend Head over to our Instagram to enter to win two FREE tickets! Fall weekends in Central Texas offer a cornucopia of outdoor events. Do you want to go to a concert? A farmer’s market? A brewery? The choices can be overwhelming. Vista Brewing is combining all three options into their Outside the City Limits Festival. OCL, happening Saturday, October 30th from 12-8 pm at …

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Meridian Hive

Meridian Hive Releases Seasonal Cherry Flavor

By / October 1, 2021 / Austin Breweries, CBA, Craft Beer News, Event Listings and New Releases

Meridian Hive Releases Seasonal Cherry Flavor For most Austin breweries, the fall seasonal release is a Marzen, Festbier, or a pumpkin beer. Meridian Hive is taking its Autumn release in a different direction. The meadery announced the return of their popular cherry flavor on September 27th. Cherry combinations tart cherry flavor with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and almond. While that may sound like a certain Texas-made soda, Cherry is all-natural. Like all Meridian Hive products, …

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