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.

Support Asheville Breweries with Higher Calling Hazy IPA

Support Asheville Breweries with Higher Calling Hazy IPA Almost fifty breweries call Asheville and the surrounding Western North Carolina area home. From production facilities for giants like New Belgium and Sierra Nevada to critically-acclaimed darlings like Fonta Flora and Burial, Asheville has one of the most robust brewery scenes in America. Unfortunately, this Mecca for beer drinkers was devastated by torrential rains and flooding from Hurricane Helene in October. Critical infrastructure, homes, and businesses are […]

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GABF

Texas at the Great American Beer Festival Recap 2024

Texas at the Great American Beer Festival Recap 2024 It was a year of change at the Great American Beer Festival. After nearly forty years of breweries setting up in identical blue-and-yellow booths sorted alphabetically or geographically, planners for the Brewers Association shuffled booths into six stylized areas: “Fright” (Halloween theme), “Prost” (Oktoberfest theme), “Score” (Sports theme), “Blast Off” (Space theme),”Chill” (live music theme), and the traditional “Meet the Brewer” area. In addition to a

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Oktoberfest: Austin Area 2024

Oktoberfest: Austin 2024 Austin Area Brewery Map It is Oktoberfest season! Grab your lederhosen or your dirndl and a stein to celebrate. Many places in and around town are hosting parties. You could even make a few as they spread from September through November. Here is a list to help you plan. Prost Y’all. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen (@thebrewtorium)     All Month Black Star Co-op

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Four Central Texas Towns Among Brew City, Texas Locations

Four Central Texas Towns Among Brew City, Texas Locations Four Central Texas cities are among the nine early adopters of the Brew City, Texas initiative from the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. The new program aims to promote beer tourism in cities with established brewing scenes as well as up-and-coming locales looking for a first brewery. According to TCBG Executive Director Caroline Wallace, “by collaborating with cities committed to celebrating the unique culture and flavors of

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Brewers Association Weighs in on Potential Federal Labeling Regulation Changes

Brewers Association Weighs in on Potential Federal Labeling Regulation Changes From allergens to calorie counts, major changes could be coming to craft beer labels in the future. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) began a multi-year project to revise mandatory disclosure rules for all products under the bureau’s jurisdiction, including beer, in February. Alcohol content, major allergens, nutritional information, and ingredients are some of the information that would become standard on beer

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Nothing Brew Under the Sun: Three Texas Breweries Make Annual Appearance on Production List

2023 was a virtual repeat on last year’s production for Texas’ largest craft brewers, according to the Brewers Association. The organization published its annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report for 2023 on Tuesday. Gambrinus, the parent company of Shiner Bock brewer Spoetzl, was the top producer in the Lone Star State, repeating at number 5 on the list. New Deep Ellum and Oskar Blues owner Monster Brewing continued a years-long trend of declining by one

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The Definitive Guide to Austin Cider

The Definitive Guide to Austin Area Cider Updated April 2025 Since this post was originally published, the Austin cider scene has experienced a lot of change, including multiple closures, a relocation, and one new cidery.   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

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The Definitive Guide to Austin Hop Water

The Definitive Guide to Austin Hop Water Published: December 5, 2023 Austin breweries are no strangers to the national trend of better for you beers and beer alternatives. While few local breweries have the capability to make non-alcoholic beers, another booze-free beverage has taken off in Central Texas: hop waters. Hop waters are made by dry-hopping cold water or steeping hot water with hops, optionally adding flavoring to the brew, then carbonating. What emerges from

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Meanwhile Brewing to Celebrate Third Anniversary

Meanwhile Brewing to Celebrate Third Anniversary South Austin’s Meanwhile Brewing hit the ground running when they opened in October 2020. The brewery’s 3.7-acre facility was an instant hit with locals and beer tourists, and accolades for Meanwhile’s beers quickly followed. Three years later, Meanwhile is one of Austin’s most popular and award-winning breweries. To celebrate, the brewery will be hosting a four-day fete featuring specialty food items, live music, activities for all ages, and some

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Outside the City Limits Festival Returns to Vista Brewing October 28th

Outside the City Limits Festival Returns to Vista Brewing October 28th 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 28th from 12-8 pm at the Driftwood brewery, is an alternative and antidote to a hectic Halloween

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The Brass Tap Austin Reopening in The Triangle

The Brass Tap Austin Reopening in The Triangle Opening August 25 Sixteen months after closing its doors in The Domain, The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar has found a new home in familiar territory. The Florida and Texas taproom chain is reopening at 815 W 47th St, Suite 103 later in August. That space was occupied by Flying Saucer Draught Emporium for just over a decade. After Flying Saucer shut down in December 2017, the

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2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Puts Roadmap on the Map

 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Puts Roadmap on the Map The 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship finished judging over 9,000 craft beers and homebrews from across the country earlier this month. While it was a down year for Texas overall (not a single Lone Star brewery made the top 10 prize winners), it was a strong showing for the state’s up-and-comers. San Antonio’s Roadmap Brewing tied Amarillo’s Pondaseta Brewing and Flix Brewhouse El Paso for

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