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.

Three Texas Breweries Make BA’s Annual Production List

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 …

Three Texas Breweries Make BA’s Annual Production List Read More »

Oskar Blues Acquired by Makers of Monster Energy Drink

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 …

Oskar Blues Acquired by Makers of Monster Energy Drink Read More »

CBMA 2021

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

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 …

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

Bahnbrëcker Releases Slow River Blend Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey

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 …

Bahnbrëcker Releases Slow River Blend Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey Read More »

Outside the City Limits Festival Coming to Vista Brewing This Weekend

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 …

Outside the City Limits Festival Coming to Vista Brewing This Weekend Read More »

Meridian Hive

Meridian Hive Releases Seasonal Cherry Flavor

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, …

Meridian Hive Releases Seasonal Cherry Flavor Read More »

Five New Throwback Brews for 2021 in Austin

Five Throwback Brews for 2021 Original article posted May, 2021 Spring is the season of new and returning things in Austin: hanging caterpillars and emerging cicadas, longer days and warmer nights, professional soccer teams, and graduating students. It is also a time of renewal for the city’s brewery scene, a period where seasonal releases don’t have to tie into holidays, how hot it is outside, or industry trends. It’s the perfect moment to put a …

Five New Throwback Brews for 2021 in Austin Read More »

Orf Brewing

Breaking News: Orf Brewing is Permanently Closed

Orf Brewing Closes Permanently Effective May 30 Sunday, May 30th marked the final day in business for South Austin’s Orf Brewing. Owner and head brewer Chris Orf cited “the ongoing challenges, headaches, and hassles of running a small business in a hyper-competitive market” as reasons for the closure. One of the smaller breweries in the bustling South Austin beer scene, Orf Brewing carved out a niche with their innovative hybrid ales that combined global influences …

Breaking News: Orf Brewing is Permanently Closed Read More »

Adelbert’s Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with New Products and Logo

ADELBERT’S  CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH NEW OLD RELEASES, WINE, MEAD, AND REBRANDING Over the past ten years, Adelbert’s Brewing has built a reputation as a mainstay in the North Austin craft beer scene and as the city’s best brewery for Belgian-style beers. With its first decade of business in the rearview mirror, the brewery is paying homage to some of its favorite beers while making some bold changes to keep up with current trends in …

Adelbert’s Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with New Products and Logo Read More »

East Brother Beer Company Expands Distribution to Texas

East Brother Beer Company Expands Distribution to Texas Richmond, CA’s East Brother Beer Company is the latest addition to the surge of out-of-state craft breweries that have begun distributing in Texas during the pandemic. EBBC hopes to stand out from other newcomers with a lineup focused on traditional styles. For East Brother co-founder Rob Lightner, the brewery’s focus on classic recipes made their product a natural fit with the Texas market: “with craft lagers on …

East Brother Beer Company Expands Distribution to Texas Read More »

Hill Country Craft Beer Festival Scheduled for April 17

After a yearlong hiatus, craft beer festivals are slowly returning to Central Texas. One of the first and largest in 2021 is the Hill Country Craft Beer Festival, which will take place at Rockin’ R River Rides in New Braunfels on April 17. Twenty-five breweries will be participating in this year’s HCCB, and the festival will boast more than one hundred beers to sample. Austin mainstays like Celis, Blue Owl, and 4th Tap will be …

Hill Country Craft Beer Festival Scheduled for April 17 Read More »

Better For You Beer on the Rise in Austin

Better For You Beer on the Rise in Austin One of the largest national trends in craft brewing is making waves in Austin this spring. More and more craft breweries are trying their hand at creating lighter, lower-calorie beers and beer alternatives, some of them supplemented with superfoods. From 100-calorie hazy IPAs to hop waters, there are more health-conscious options available for craft drinkers in Central Texas than ever before.  Now to take a look …

Better For You Beer on the Rise in Austin Read More »

Scroll to Top