Slackers Brewing Co. | A Texas Craft Brewery Profile

12233 Ranch Road 620 #204 Austin, TX 78750

By Jackie Von Panda

Walking into a new brewery can be intimidating at times, especially when it is in a city that you still find yourself exploring after unnumerable visits over time. A recent trip to Austin led me to Slackers Brewing, where owners Derek and Haley Law have been welcoming the Anderson Mill locals and Austin residents with adventurous craft beer since the fall of 2021.

The first impressions at the door were the pleasant aromatics of fresh malt and hops in a boil tank, filling the atmosphere of the brewery. This is a familiar and inviting smell that instantly puts me at ease as if I have been to this place before. Slackers is a tranquil scene, decorated predominately in a green and white theme all over. I look up at the menu list and instantly see
an easy connection to try. A Belgian-style Red Honey Tripel called Red Panda on tap is available in eight-ounce pours.

Freshly armed with a cold brew and settling into the relaxed vibes in the building, I hear a voice call out from the back of the brewery, from the kettle area. It’s Derek, welcoming me in and inviting me over. The brew house for Slackers is just off to the left of the bar area, a row of a handful of fermentation tanks parallel to the brewing tanks a few feet away. I make the stroll
over to the brewhouse where Derek and Haley are in the middle of boiling a fresh batch of beer.

Derek started homebrewing back in 2011, several years after the concept of a bar first crept into his head. The premise wasn’t for just any simple bar, but also a music venue that could service the community. Formally opened to the public in 2021, that vision was manifested: A local brewery that not only was a source of fresh craft beer, but a locale for rotating live music acts and a great place to grab a bite to eat. It also has become a hub for families and inclusivity in the greater Austin area.

Derek commits himself to handle the brewing and production side, while Haley is the General Manager who utilizes her career experiences in marketing and the culinary world to tackle all things social media and operations while also developing recipes for and running the Slackers kitchen. The couple works together seamlessly to support not only their business but also their family. Especially family. The dedication to family is the driver for one of the main focuses of Slackers, which is providing indoor place space for children in the brewery. There are also baby changing stations is all restroom facilities in the brewery.

Slackers’ beer selection is much like its owner’s ethos, a little bit of everything to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Their flagship beer, Stretchy Jorts, is a 5.2% ABV traditional style Kolsch that is light-bodied and very clean. Derek brews variations of Stretchy Jorts throughout the year as seasonal releases. Other mainstays at ‘Beachcomber’ Belgian Blonde, ‘Wicked Tickle’ ghost pepper porter, ‘Milk Man’ nitro milk stout, and ‘Hefelump’ orange hefeweizen. My personal favorite staple is ‘The Situation’ West Coast IPA, which is an homage to the reality television personality from “Jersey Shore” of yesteryear. The brewery also offers a selection of rotating in-house and guest taps and canned beer (including non-alcoholic options).

Slackers also offers an annual “Certified Slacker” membership for $200, which offers members one free beer per day, savings on Slackers gear, a special oak barrel-aged bomber of ‘Red Panda’. The initial 48 signees also receive exclusive glassware from the brewery. Included in this is a referral program for soliciting friends and family to become ‘Certified Slackers’ for gift card bonus perks.

My visit to Slackers was one of my favorite in Austin, with both Derek and Haley entertaining me with their stories from Slackers lore, their path towards being craft brewery owners, and the daily challenges they face as business owners and parents. The duo made me feel entirely welcomed and at home. Even so much that I somehow have been invited into and play in Slackers annual fantasy football league! Slackers is a great place to meet with friends and make new ones, enjoy some excellent Austin craft beer, and listen to some outstanding live music all in one place.

Fall Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday : 4 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 8 pm