Craft beer is the name of the game here in Austin, and it’s a game that everyone wins. Brewers all over the city love to experiment with flavors, host fun events for patrons, and welcome beer lovers seven days a week. With many breweries as unique as the city itself, you’ll have a great time tasting your way through each neighborhood. When the Texas summer heat becomes too much for you, or you need to warm up on a cool winter day, these five Austin breweries will serve you craft brews any time.
Austin contains far too many great breweries to highlight in one post, so when you’re ready to check out a new Austin brewery every weekend, let AptAmigo help you find the perfect apartment in an optimal location. You focus on what fun flavor you want to try next, and we’ll take care of the hard stuff.
Must See: Austin’s Best Dim Sum and Free Things to Do
Top 5 Breweries in Austin
Austin Beerworks
Address: 3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Austin Beerworks welcomes customers with a vibrant, yet industrial atmosphere and a staff just as fun as their beer flavors. This must-visit North Austin spot organizes unique events monthly, ranging from their “Paws & Pints” fundraiser, benefiting Austin Pets Alive!, to good old fashioned eating contests. You’ll never experience a dull moment here. They offer fun, seasonal brews, like their Blood Orange IPA and a Montecore Oktoberfest, as well as beloved classics, like the German Style Pearl Snap Pils and Flavor Country Hoppy Pale Ale. The Beerwork’s taproom even offers weekly “lab” beers you can only try while visiting the brewery. ABW is the perfect place to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends.
Austin Eastciders
Address: 979 Springdale Rd, Ste. 130 Austin, TX 78702
For those of us who are not big fans of hoppy grains, Austin Eastciders provides a great alternative. Specializing in numerous unique cider flavors, the Eastciders will brew something for everyone. They offer dryer options, like their Brut cider with notes of champagne, and sweeter flavors, like Texas Honey and Sangria. Seasonal flavors also pop up throughout the year, from summer Watermelon to Autumn Chai. The Eastcider brewers are always trying out new flavors and combinations, so stop in every now and then to see what’s new.
There are two Eastcider locations: the Collaboratory Taproom in the downtown east side of Austin and a restaurant in the Barton Springs area near Zilker Park. The Barton Springs location is a great place to grab a bite to eat for lunch and refresh yourself with Eastcider’s seasonal flavor after a morning at the park. Stop by the taproom and sample a tasting of all the offerings, then grab a six pack of your favorite to go. The best part is, you can usually find your favorite Eastcider at your local grocery store, so you can always stay stocked up.
Jester King
Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, venture slightly south of the city to check out Jester King Brewery. You’ll feel like you travelled abroad when visiting this spacious Texas Hill Country spot. On their 165-acre lot, Jester King hosts both public and private events, offers a network of walking trails for people and pets, and maintains a fully functioning farm on the property. You can even make some new furry friends on the farm while enjoying a refreshing beverage. Jester King specializes in barrel-aged and farmhouse ales. For the non-beer lovers in the group, this ranch also offers a selection of homemade wine and ciders. The restaurant on the property makes incredible specialty pizzas that everyone will enjoy. Don’t forget to pick up one of their crowlers before you head back into the city.
Lazarus Brewing Company
Address: 1902 E 6th St, Austin TX 78702
3 words: Coffee. Beer. Tacos. What more could you want? These are the three pillars of Lazarus Brewing Company. It is the perfect place to grab your morning cup of Joe and breakfast tacos, and a great place to end the day with more tacos and craft beer. In the heart of Downtown’s eastside, Lazarus is located on Austin’s popular East 6th Street, nestled in amongst bars, shops, and restaurants. But don’t worry, you won’t miss this brewery with its striking teal exterior. Created by a pastor in 2013, Lazarus’ Prodigal Pils will surely take you to heaven. For non-beer options, Lazarus also serves house root beer and hard kombucha.
Zilker Brewing Company & Taproom
Address: 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Sharing a name with the city’s most beloved park, Zilker Brewing Company is another popular downtown eastside spot for craft beer lovers. The brewery specializes in stouts, lagers, IPAs, and a few seasonal beers – “Parks and Rec” being one of their most popular. The unique taproom sits inside the heart of the brewery, displaying the beer making process to its patrons. Grab your favorite hoppy beverage while you watch all the hard work it takes to keep you hydrated. If you work up an appetite from all that learning, stop by the Spicy Boys Chicken food truck and chow down on some delicious fried chicken. The Zilker taproom’s many large tables make it a perfect place to bring all your friends at once. Bring the pups along as well because Zilker Brewing Company is pet friendly!
More Fun Ideas: Tour Austin’s hottest dive bars. Cure your hangover with some breakfast tacos. Then, head out of town for the day to visit the best places in Hill Country.
Ready to Live Near Your Favorite Watering Hole?
Austin’s craft beer scene truly offers something for everyone! And, when you move here, you can start brewery hopping across the city before you know it with a little help from AptAmigo. We’ll find you the perfect apartment for your needs, and make sure you’re never too far away from your next favorite taproom.
Brett Hayden is a native Wisconsinite turned Texan who loves exploring Austin and beyond. She has a passion for writing and traveling, which she showcases on her blog, “by, Brett Nicole.”
