Published 9/24/2026
Turnstile Rebrands as Hold Out Bar & Grill
Back in March, the team behind Better Half, The Brew & Brew, and of course Hold Out Brewery acquired the location and brand for Turnstile on North Burnet. While no major changes occurred in the following months, the team has recently decided to sunset the Turnstile branding and officially open as the Hold Out Bar & Grill, with the coffee shop and kitchen being given the name Never Better – a call to Better Half – creating a new two building arrangement meant to mirror their original spot on 5th St. Other than the renames and a few minor building renovations, no other significant changes have happened: the same staff remains to serve a similar beer list (though certainly more Hold Out focused, there are still plenty of cool options from out of state). The biggest change is the food menu, which is improved and expanded. Go check them out, and let us know what you think about the changes!
Wild Bunch Brewing Co, 5 Stones Brewery, and Fat Ass Brewery Open Second Location; La Grange Brewing Co. and Cottonwood Creek Brewery in the Works
While our list of net new breweries is looking a bit light this year, the Expansions column actually has some cool things going for it. In addition to the Hold Out item above, the two Pinthouse pubs reported earlier this year, and the re-openings of Thirsty Planet and Beerburg, there are three more in the region that are worth checking out, plus two more on the way.
- First of all, Wild Bunch Brewing Co. is opening the first brewery in the city of Luling this weekend. The original farmhouse brewery in Red Rock will remain open, as they have been for nearly ten years. Luling was one of the first members of Texas Craft Brewers Guild’s Brew City, Texas program, launched in 2024, and it’s great to see that come to fruition.
- West of Luling in downtown New Braunfels, 5 Stones Brewery has taken over the beer garden formerly hosting Faust Brewing Co. Dubbed the Braunfelser Beer and Wine Garden, the spot is currently hosting occasional soft-open events, pending license to sell beer. You know what that means… free beer! Be sure to check their instagram if you’re planning to visit during one of these windows, and hopefully they’ll be licensed and fully open in just a few more weeks.
- If you haven’t caught the pattern yet: breweries outside of cities are opening city locations. Next is Fat Ass Ranch & Brewery, who have opened their new Fat Ass Off the Ranch in downtown Fredericksburg, which is their fifth location. Well it’s really their third beer location, it only makes five if you count their two wineries. And, the second brewery that was opened in Cisco has since closed. So, new second location it is!
- La Grange Brewing Co. is opening a brewpub in downtown La Grange. They’ve shared some videos of the building renovations on instagram, feel free to follow along as it gets closer to launch.
- One more, and if you were hoping for something actually in Austin, still not quite, but closer! Cottonwood Creek Brewery out of Hutto has purchased the former 3rd Level Brewing taproom in Round Rock, and plans to open later this year. This is the only one on this list where the initial location is downtown [city], and the new second location isn’t. Not too far, though.
“Bottle Conditioned” Lambic Documentary Showing in Taylor
Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe, one of our favorite beer stores in the region, is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with a series of events. The first will be a rare public showing of “Bottle Conditioned” at the Howard Theatre on October 10th, which follows Belgian lambic producers as they showcase their craft and navigate the modern beer industry. The acclaimed documentary has a score of 9.0 on IMDB. Tickets are available and come with a special edition lambic glass and one pour; additional pours and food are available for purchase. Following this event, Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe will be having their official anniversary party on October 23rd, which will likely include a top-tier tap and bottle list. Definitely come pay them a visit to celebrate their third year.
Whiskey News: Briggs Distilling Co. Opening, and Still Austin Expanding
This is not beer, but we like whiskey too, and both of these are pretty big stories. First off, Briggs Distilling Co. is opening just across the street from Ghost Note Brewery in Driftwood. An opening date is set for October 17th, when the Briggs family will invite the public to visit their large taproom and outdoor area to taste their rye whiskey and bourbon made on site. Straight pours and cocktails are available, along with rotating beer and wine, and frequent events will be held including live music and festivities.
This next one is going to be a big hit in Austin proper. Still Austin Whiskey Co. has purchased and built out the development behind their current taproom at The Yard, effectively quadrupling their footprint. Still Austin Quarter, as they’re calling it, is a massive taproom and event space that blows anything else in the area out of the water by area, besides Pins Mechanical. They’re the first business at the yard to move backwards through the alleyway into the otherwise unremarkable buildings along Willow Springs Rd (no offense to the auto and machine shops currently occupying the neighboring buildings). Hoping for a big $1 cold fashioned party to celebrate the opening of the Quarter in the coming weeks.
Legacy Business Month Returns to Austin
Zilker Brewing Co. will be hosting the launch party for Preservation Austin’s Legacy Business Month for the fourth year in a row on October 1st. We know you love getting passport stamps, so here is a great reason to support local businesses that have been open for at least 20 years. This year’s featured businesses include Texas Chili Parlor, Juan in a Million, Westgate Lanes, and Elysium Nightclub (part of the Red River Cultural District, which has been in the news lately as developers have been attempting to transform the area, causing a loss of its culture and historical significance – very pertinent to Preservation Austin’s mission). Once the month is over, you can bring your stamped passport to The Tavern on November 4th to enter the raffle for some great prizes, including merch and gift cards from featured businesses, or even SXSW music wristbands. We’ll see you at the launch party this Thursday, featuring Legacy Home: a new hazy IPA which is the official beer of LBM!
A Sixth Thing
I, uhh, don’t have a sixth item. Why is this news series always six items? Go get your Texas Craft Brewers Festival tickets if you haven’t yet!
