Upcoming Austin Breweries – January 2016 Update

With all that is happening in the Austin beer scene, it is hard to keep track of what breweries are in the process of opening around town. Needless to say, the Austin area beer scene is exploding! This quarterly article is mostly focused on the upcoming Austin breweries that are currently in the works. This January 2016 post includes updates from the previous article from September 2015 and new breweries that are just starting the process.

Altmeyer & Lewis Brewing – The first of two San Marcos breweries/brewpubs on this list, A&L has been in the planning phases since 2012. After receiving both their TABC and TTB licenses this summer, they are hoping for distribution and taproom/tour hours in 2016. Plans are to begin with 2 lagers and 2 ales, which all will be kegged and distributed locally. Eventually, they will start canning their beers and shipping them to San Antonio and Austin.

January Update: The brewing equipment should start shipping within the next week. While up in Portland ordering the equipment, they had the chance to brew with The Labrewatory. As far as the updated time frame on when they plan on opening, April is looking like the most likely month.

Website: www.altmeyerlewisbrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/altmeyerlewisbrewingco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AltLewBrew

Aquabrew – The second San Marcos brewery on the list, this brewpub has been in the works for some time. Expect a gastropub, beer garden with a large patio, and live music. They are planning on having 10 house beers, which will include 4-5 IPAs, ESB, Saison, and a Kottbusser. The brewing system will be a 15BBL Marks Brewhouse that is already received.

January Update: Progress is moving along. The plan is to start brewing in February and eventually open in the Spring. Their building should be completed by the end of this month.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquabrew
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquabrew

Barrow Brewing Company – Located in Salado, Barrow Brewing began renovation on their location back in February of 2015, which is still ongoing. With that said, their initial lineup will include a Pale Ale, American IPA and a Stout. This will go along with a rotating seasonal and limited releases, which will likely be taproom only.

January Update: The cellar tanks have arrived and are in place. The brewhouse and the rest of the equipment should be showing up in January as well. Opening is planned for shortly after all the tanks are received and installed.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrowBrewingCompany
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrowbeer

The Brewtorium – The Brewtorium crew (Chris Rauschuber and Whitney Roberts) have been moving along in trying to find a location for their casual brewpub in North Austin. The focus has been wanting a place that is within the City of Austin, while being able to help an under served area for their concept. They believe that they have found their location that meets their criteria, but understandably are not wanting to quite publish it yet until everything is finalized.

As far as the beer line up goes, they are thinking of having 5 Constant Beers on tap with the Austin craft beer drinkers in mind.. These beers will be focused on being able to enjoy them over a couple of hours with friends and good food. All but one of these will be falling in just around 5%; the exception being their Propeller Head IPA. As Whitney put it, “These beers are all full of flavor, but don’t come with the potential nap-inducing effect of higher ABV beers.”

But, they will not be limited to just their Constant Beers. The variable lineup will be much more complex with other higher ABV beers. These will include Belgians, English Ales, Sours, Hybrids, Experimental releases, and Barrel-Aged beers. Eventually, they would like to have up to 12 beer available on tap!

For the food, they are focused on elevated pub fare with an emphasis on fresh and interesting ingredients. Every food item on the menu should pair up with a specific house beer.

January Update: They are continuing the location search. The space that they last were looking at was recently taken up by another tenant. More progress has been made behind the scenes on the project and hopefully a space is found in the near future.

Website: http://thebrewtorium.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrewtorium
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBrewtorium

Friends & Allies – This new East Austin brewery are the workings of Ben Sabin (formerly of Thirsty Planet) and Devon Ponds (formerly with Lost Abbey/Port Brewing). It will be located off of Springdale Road near Airport Boulevard. The initial offering should include a Session IPA (named Noisy Cricket), a West Coast styled IPA, a Belgian Table Beer, along with a slew of other seasonal offerings.

January Update: You will likely get your chance to have F&A’s beer before their official brewery opens. They are currently brewing their Noisy Cricket at 4th Tap Brewing and it is hitting the markets this week. The Noisy Cricket was dry hopped with Simcoe, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. As far as their standalone brewery, work is progressing on it and it is looking like a late spring to summer opening. For more information from their first press release, you can go here: https://craftbeeraustin.com/friends-and-allies-brewing-launches-their-first-beer-in-austin/

Website: http://friendsandallies.beer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsandallies.beer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/f_and_a_brewing

Guns and Oil Brewing – Located just east of I-35 on 4th St, Guns and Oil is opening their brewery and taproom. While you may have seen their Maverick Lager around town, this will be their official taproom/brewery. They are hoping to focus mainly on Lagers that will include anything from Helles to IPLs, while throwing in random Ales. The taproom will likely have 6-8 taps.

January Update: More permit problems. No ETA anymore as far as this goes.

Website: https://gunsandoil.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GunsandOil
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gunsandoil

Granger City Brewing – I would put this place on the verge of being in the greater Austin area, so I just went with it. Located northeast of Austin (and sorta east of Georgetown), They are currently open as a bar (thanks to some TABC regulations that forced them to open before they had all of their brewery equipment in). As far as the brewery aspect of the place, that should be completed by May of this year. The plan is to focus on German and Czech inspired beers.

Website: http://grangercitybrewingcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrangerCityBrewingCompany

Idle Vine Brewing – Idle Vine is a newer one on the brewery radar for Cedar Park. They will be focusing on an American Pale, Rye IPA, English Porter, and Cream Ale.as their core beers. Along with this, there will be one seasonal per season, and the rest of their 10 taps will be from their rotating pilot batches. The original location was planning on being at a vineyard location off of 183 in Cedar Park.

They will be using a 30bbl brewhouse with five 60bbl fermenters. The taproom will be their main point of sales to begin with, while eventually expanding into distribution. If the property works out at the vineyard, expect a lot of outdoor space with games and firepits.

January Update: They are trying to work everything out with the vineyard property. The time frame still has them at opening in the May/June area regardless if the vineyard property comes through or if they have to use a backup property. The equipment should be available for them in late February. Labels designs are almost completed and they have also completed many test batches for their initial offerings.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdleVine
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdleVineBrewCo

Kamala Gardens Brewing – Dipak Topiwala (formerly of Kamala Brewing/Whip In) and Jim Sampson (Twisted X) are teaming up for a new brewery located on the south west side of Austin. The basic concept will be a mash up of Twisted X, Kamala Brewing, and Jester King. Plans include an onsite kitchen featuring Indian spiced pizzas called “Naanzzas.”

As far as the beer goes, they plan on making both fresh and aged ales as well as lagers. “The brewery will craft quaffs of the fresh type-specific varieties we all enjoy daily along with a cellar of barrel aged ales beers cultivated with wild & sour yeasts.” Guest beers will also be on tap.

Along with this, plans are to have an outdoor stage with nightly live music. Most of the music will be focused on folk, country, Indian and bluegrass Americana styles.

In the meantime, they are collaborating with NXNW and Independence Brewing on beers and events during SXSW. The events should continue through summer.

The target date for opening will be towards the end of 2016.

For more information from their first press release, you can go here: https://craftbeeraustin.com/kamala-gardens-brewery-coming-soon-from-texas-craft-brewers-dipak-topiwala-and-jim-sampson/

Website: http://www.kamalabrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamalagardens

Lazarus Brewing – Lazarus Brewing has secured a location on the east side of Austin (near Zilker Brewing). Christian, one of the founders, described what they are going for as more of a West Coast feel for the place. “I’ve been deeply influenced by what I would call a ‘west coast’ style of brewery: small, cool space, zero distribution, super intriguing beers, and if you want to try it you’re going to have to come and get it here. Maybe start by thinking of Jester King and ABGB, but then throw in some Portland funk with a distinct neighborhood feel (and add coffee and comfy seating).” They do plan on having the “go-to” beers that will consist of IPAs, Stouts, and Pale Ales. Along with these, they will be having a barrel ageing program in addition to “special beers” that may consist of more Belgian styles. They will have a 10bbl brewhouse that has been ordered.

January Update: Location is secured is their main update. Along with this, they are looking at a September to October 2016 time frame for opening.

Website: http://www.lazarusbrewing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazarusbrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LazarusBrewing

Oddwood Barrel House – Oddwood Barrel House is finally getting their own location. The owner is branching off from Adelbert’s, where he brewed and started the side project owned by Adelbert’s, to eventually start his own brand. As many people know, there were a couple of releases of their Saison under the Oddwood Ales name. Well, they have decided to go full on with their own location and taproom.

As far as their new facility goes, they have a location near Airport and Manor. They are in their early phases of it, but hope to be open by the end of summer. They do plan on having a rotating tap and bottle list with “no real ‘flagship’ beer per se.” The plan is to be selling bottles and growlers to go from the taproom. Oddwood’s taproom is aiming to have a cozy, neighborhood feel to it with a ambitious rotating tap list. Distribution will be hyper local.

The focus on beer will be on wild/sour ales, hoppy American styles and seasonally driven creations. Expect a lot of brettanomyces and oak inspired releases. With all of that said, they are planning on moving away from making the Saison and Taming the Wild Beast. They do think they are great beers, but are changing focus slightly on future beers.

Website: http://www.oddwoodales.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oddwoodales
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oddwoodales

Orf Brewing – Orf has a warehouse location off of Burleson that has required some major renovations before they can open. Orf, who is also the owner’s name, has been part of the Austin Improv Collective for quite some time. He hopes to incorporate a movable stage into the taproom and host improv shows along with brewery tours. The mainstays for beer are all described as “hybrid” beers that do not meet to any specific style. For more details on the beer, you can see them on their website linked below.

January Update: Permits remain to be slow in coming in. On the bright side, their TABC brewery permit arrived the day that I am writing this. On the federal level, he is still waiting for their permits from the TTB. His best estimate on arrival is sometime in March. If those come through, he should be able to open sometime after that.

Website: http://www.orfbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orf-Brewing/272411556105163

Oskar Blues – More recently announced, Oskar Blues will be opening a 50,000 square foot brewery with a 5,000 square foot taproom in North Austin (10420 Metric Blvd). Located across the street from 4th Tap, Oskar Blues is planning on having a live music venue there as well. Expect more of the same great Oskar Blues beers and barrel ageing programs. They are expected to open in late April 2016.

January Update: Not much really needs to be added here. Plans are ongoing, and the date still seems to be sticking.

Website: http://www.oskarblues.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OskarBluesATX

San Gabriel River Brewing – Located in Liberty Hill, San Gabriel River Brewing is another new one on this list. They are currently still in the very initial phases of building their facility. At this point, their best timetable puts them at a summer 2016 opening. Some of their starting beers include a Honey Porter, Wee Heavy and an IPA. For a full list of their beers, it is available on their website listed below.

January Update: They are looking for a grand opening in late February or early March. The final touches in the building are ongoing and the equipment has started to arrive.

Website: http://sangabrielriverbrewery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/San-Gabriel-River-Brewery-764650866935190/timeline/

St. Elmo Brewing Company – St. Elmo is the works of two Austin Beerworks alum: Bryan Winslow, and Tim Bullock. Opening up off of St. Elmo Road in south Austin, they will be having a 15bbl brewhouse. Along with that, they hope to operate similar to a brewpub, having most of their sales on site as opposed to through distribution. When they eventually can keep up with their production, they will be sending beers to limited accounts. Do not expect them to send beer outside of central Austin for quite some time.

As for the beers themselves, they will be focused on “Everyday Beer.” The starting three core beers will be Carl (Kolsch), Chico (Pale Ale), and Angus (Dry Stout). Freshness will be one of the key focuses of the beer, and will be best when drank fresh. One of the ways to do this is by having most of the sales directly at the brewery. Another aspect will be that most of the beers will be at less than 6% ABV. They plan to have 5-6 house beers when they open and expanding to 8-10 a little further down the road.

Website: http://stelmobrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saintelmobrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stelmobrewing

Texas Beer Company – Another smaller town in the general Austin area that is receiving their first brewery – Taylor. Located east of Round Rock, Texas Beer Company has been working with the City of Taylor to help support bringing in this brewery. After starting a kickstarter, the city came through with some incentives to get the whole process going.

They are looking at creating a full production brewery to distribute to local bars and stores.

January Update: They are shooting for Spring 2016 opening.

Website: http://www.texasbeerco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TexasBeerCompany

The Brewers Table – This future brewery is the brainchild of Jake Maddux (formerly of Salt & Time, Thirsty Planet, New Belgium and Anchor) and Ned Elliot (of Foreign & Domestic). Located in east Austin at 5th Street and Springdale Rd, this restaurant/brewery has been in the works for quite some time. The concept will be based off of wood: wood fired food and wood fermented lagers made with oak foeders. The plans include to have a large number of guest taps along with their own house beers.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrewersTable/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brewerstableatx

Treaty Oak Distilling and Brewing – While Treaty Oak has been distilling for some time, this will be them venturing into the brewing world. Located on their newly acquired strip of land off of Fitzhugh, Treaty Oak is building a large complex that will not only house their new 30bbl brewery, but their new distillery, restaurant, outdoor music stage and an outdoor games area.

Some basics on the brewery, they plan on starting with 3 core beers. Those will be a Session IPA, English Mild, and a Blonde. They will not limit themselves to those 3, but they will likely be their first cans released while having more beers in the taproom. The building housing the brewery is already completed, but currently is housing their new distillery.

All in all, they have an absolutely great set up out near Jester King. It will definitely jump on everyone’s radar as a destination “brewstillery” for a nice afternoon out.

Editor’s Note: Treaty Oak Distilling opened a few months ago and is currently serving food along with their distilled spirits and kegged mixed drinks using their vodka, whiskey & gin!

January Update: They are expecting to receive their TABC license sometime in March 2016. The brewing should commence after that point.

Website: http://treatyoakdistilling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreatyOak
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TreatyOakTX

Two Wheel Brewing – This future Buda brewery is currently under construction just south of Buda off of Loop 4. Plans have them finishing their brewery in May and start brewing shortly after that. The building itself is around 5,000 sq ft with 1,200 dedicated to their taproom.

As far as the beer goes, their initial focus will be on brewing a Blonde Ale, Pale Ale, and other European styles: Kolsch, Altbier, bitter, etc. They do plan on adding an IPA eventually, along with a list of seasonal offerings.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twowheelbrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/twowheelbeer

Breweries with Unknown Status:

Atwater Brewing – There are still reports of them looking to open a place in Texas, but I do not have any new information on this one. I think this is likely the last time I include them on here unless something new comes along.

Website: http://www.atwaterbeer.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/atwaterbeer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beerdetroit

Brewery Expansions:

This section is not meant to go into many details, just give updates on where some established breweries are in building out new locations.

Live Oak – Should be opening at the end of January 2016. This new space is a huge improvement over their last one. Located in East Austin, near the airport, it is along the river and will have a disc golf course. There should be a lot more articles coming about them in the near future.

Their Hefeweizen cans have also shown up at a couple of spots around town. The rest of their lineup should be coming soon, as well as much wider distribution of those cans in Austin. This will quickly become a destination to visit.

(512) – Flying more under the radar than Live Oak, (512) is also looking at expanding in the more distant future. They do have a location out in the area of Independence Brewing to house a much larger brewery. If you have been to their current brewery recently, you know that there is no more room to expand there. This one is on a much longer timetable, likely being over 12-18 months out.

Hops and Grain – A second location appears to be in the works for Hops and Grain. It is located on the far east side of Austin which will be focused on their barrel ageing and souring programs. No set timetable is available for this location as it is currently being used for their dry storage. If things do work out, expect a second taproom out off of FM 969 and HWY 130 featuring the full lineup of Volumes of Oak.

Other Possible Openings:

The Brass Tap – The Brass Tap’s future location in The Domain is looking at installing a 3bbl system at the new bar. The bar itself is expected to open sometime in the early summer. If they do have a brewery, it is likely to open sometime a little further down the road.

Opened Since the Last Article:

4th Tap – 4th Tap will be operating as a co-op production brewery located in North Austin at 10615 Metric Blvd, which is right near Circle Brewing and Adelbert’s. Brewing has officially started at 4th Tap, and they are looking for a soft opening in either late September or early October. Their initial offerings will be a Long Walk Grapefruit IPA, Tamarind Wheat, and their gluten free beer, Suneater.

January Update: They are now open. You can visit them Monday thru Saturday from 8AM to 10PM. On Sundays, they are open from noon to 10PM. You can read our brewery profile article about them here.

https://craftbeeraustin.com/4th-tap-brewing-co-texas-craft-brewery-profile/

Website: http://4thtap.coop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4thtap
Twitter: https://twitter.com/4thtap

Blue Owl Brewing – I would like to congratulate them on finally making it off this list. Their facility is now open Wednesday thru Friday 5-10PM, Saturday 12-10PM, and Sunday 12-5PM.

If you did not know, Blue Owl is focusing on sour mash beers out of their 30bbl system and canning them. They are located in East Austin (2400 East Cesar Chavez St. #300). To begin with, they will be canning a Sour Session Wheat, Black Sour Cherry Stout, Sour Pale Ale and Sour Amber Ale.

Website: http://blueowlbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueowlbrewing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueOwlBrewing

Pinthouse Pizza Lamar – It is open. And their Electric Jellyfish IPA is delicious. The tap wall at this location is almost completely different than the north location. It is definitely worth checking out even if you regularly visit the north one.

Website: http://pinthousepizza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinthousePizza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PinthouseLamar

Whitestone Brewery – Whitestone opened in the last month in Cedar Park at 601 E. Whitestone Blvd. It is definitely worth the visit.

For beer, expect a wide variety of beers stylistically in this brewpub. Their initial core 6 beers will consist of the Boondoggle Brown, Siesta Saison, Lovely Day IPA, Porch Daddy Porter (Baltic Porter), Konverter Kolsch and Long Gone Blonde (Blonde ale with vanilla and orange peel).

The brewery ha a 1500 square foot taproom with a fireplace, multiple seating areas, and a full view of the brewing system. The brewing system will be a 15bbl brewhouse, 6 fermenters and 4 completely visible serving vessels. Along with the inside, they also have a 1300 square foot beer garden that will be covered with fans and misters. There are plans to have food trucks out there during taproom hours.

You can read more from our recent brewery profile of Whitestone here: https://craftbeeraustin.com/whitestone-brewery-texas-craft-brewery-profile/