Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks | January 2023

It has been a bit of a gap since we last shared our current go to beers in town, but the team is back with our staff picks for January 2023. For this edition, no restrictions, I just asked the team to send their current favorite non-core beer that they think everyone should go try. So, without further ado, here are the Craft Beer Austin Staff Picks for January 2023. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and let us know your favorite beers of the moment on our social platforms.

Aaron

Vacancy Brewing | Wedding Beer | Belgian Tripel

Despite some strong reviews from the Austin Chronicle and Austin Monthly, Vacancy Brewing was barely on my radar. That changed earlier this winter when I found myself on South Congress with an afternoon to kill and a hankering for Laotian food from SXSE, Vacancy’s food truck. I was charmed by the quirky tap list: two IPLs, a prohibition pils, and a California Common. But the real star of the show ended up being the one Belgian beer at the end of the menu. Wedding Beer (originally brewed for the marriage of Vacancy’s founders) is my precise ideal of a Tripel: loaded with esters but not too dry or syrupy and deceptively quaffable for a 9.6% ABV. This is the perfect dessert beer after a fun lineup of lagers and some some spicy beef fried rice.

Andrew

Southern Heights | Space Force | American Porter

Coffee beer tends to always be on my list for these “what we are drinking” posts. Well, this is no exception. This Southern Heights seasonal hits all the right notes for this time of year. With the slightly cool weather, what better beer than a Coffee Porter to get you through the day?

Dani

Oddwood Brewing | Her Black Wings | Schwarzbier

I’m currently enjoying Her Black Wings by Oddwood Brewing. It is a Schwarzbier. I love any dark lagers, but I find myself at Oddwood quite often. Usually whenever I see a schwarzbier on tap I tend to gravitate to it. It is very nice and easy to drink. This one is only has 5.3% abv so I don’t feel that bad when I have more than one.

David

Hopsquad Brewing | Bernabeu | Spanish Pilsner

I am aware it is stout season and I have several favorite stouts and porters that I am drinking at the moment, but in honor of the 80 degree January days we have been enjoying, I decided to go with a lager. My current favorite lager is this Spanish pilsner from Hopsquad. I generally go with the Architetto Ruffini, when at Hopsquad, but after 2 of those, I hopped the wall and found this gem. It’s lightly floral with a clean finish and it is a great easy drinking pilsner. At 5.4%, its an ideal first beer of the day drink to prepare you for whatever comes next. I am impressed by the strides Hopsquad is making. It is quickly becoming a place I visit much more frequently, even outside of soccer season.

Phot Credit to Hopsquad Brewing Co

Pam

Meanwhile Brewing | Jolly | Winter Warmer

I know the holiday season has passed and we are well into January, but this beer is still available around town and I can’t get enough of it. Jolly is a collaboration beer between Meanwhile Brewing and Cruz Blanca out of Chicago. It’s a winter lager brewed with spruce tips, which surprisingly add berry notes and not an imposing Christmas candle aroma. At 5.2% ABV, I’ll be drinking this beer until it’s gone.