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Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery
7020 Easy Wind Drive, Suite 100
Austin, Texas, 78752
United States
(512) 452-2337 | map
blackstar.coop
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Ratings by JamLand:
Reviewed by JamLand from District of Columbia
3.84/5 rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3
3.84/5 rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3
I really want this place to succeed. I love the concept behind the place. However, every time I go I am continually disappointed. The atmosphere and service are always good. The beer selection can be hit or miss. It depends largely on how many local brews they are selling. We have a booming beer scene in Austin, unfortunately, not all of our breweries make great beer. I've tried most of their house beers and nothing has been special, so far. The biggest problem I have with this place is the food. Everything I/my wife/my friends have tried has been below average.
Overall, I will still keep trying this place because I want the concept to work. However, for someone visiting Austin, if you are in the area, stop in for a beer, but eat some where else.
Oct 08, 2013Overall, I will still keep trying this place because I want the concept to work. However, for someone visiting Austin, if you are in the area, stop in for a beer, but eat some where else.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4.18/5 rDev +2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
I've never rated Black Star? Shame on me!
What I like is that they're a co-op, in that the people who work there are involved, not just uncaring and mindless people running the show - and that comes through in the service and the quality of the food and beer produced.
The atmosphere is perhaps the only thing that's lacking as it's kind of modern black-silver-etc. with a lot of hard surfaces and it almost has a beer-cafeteria feel.
The food is very good for what it is, which is kind of "basic type pub foods" but with a modern-healthy twist. There are Burgers and Fish & Chips, but there's also an Avocado Club and "Tempeh Rachel"! Some Texans might wrench back in fear of this, but I find it interesting and exciting! I also feel that in general, across the board, the prices are reasonable. You might be able to find food for less elsewhere (Fried Jalapeños for $5 -can that be beat?), but it won't be the same quality; and all of the food has a fresh character that you just cannot get at chains.
The beer follows suit, and although it might not be the best out there, it's certainly bright and fresh and well-done; and there are usually 9 on tap. In general, they also stretch beyond the usual with about half of their taps - and keep in mind, their beers are chosen by their members. Something "Rational" might be a rye-pale ale with citrusy and floral hops, but something "Irrational" could be an Imperial IPA with strawberry, lemongrass, and lime juice. It could be anything, and it changes all of the time. They apparently do even crazier beers but I've never seen one myself.
I'd certainly recommend a visit, especially as they're not far from Pinthouse Pizza.
Jan 20, 2017What I like is that they're a co-op, in that the people who work there are involved, not just uncaring and mindless people running the show - and that comes through in the service and the quality of the food and beer produced.
The atmosphere is perhaps the only thing that's lacking as it's kind of modern black-silver-etc. with a lot of hard surfaces and it almost has a beer-cafeteria feel.
The food is very good for what it is, which is kind of "basic type pub foods" but with a modern-healthy twist. There are Burgers and Fish & Chips, but there's also an Avocado Club and "Tempeh Rachel"! Some Texans might wrench back in fear of this, but I find it interesting and exciting! I also feel that in general, across the board, the prices are reasonable. You might be able to find food for less elsewhere (Fried Jalapeños for $5 -can that be beat?), but it won't be the same quality; and all of the food has a fresh character that you just cannot get at chains.
The beer follows suit, and although it might not be the best out there, it's certainly bright and fresh and well-done; and there are usually 9 on tap. In general, they also stretch beyond the usual with about half of their taps - and keep in mind, their beers are chosen by their members. Something "Rational" might be a rye-pale ale with citrusy and floral hops, but something "Irrational" could be an Imperial IPA with strawberry, lemongrass, and lime juice. It could be anything, and it changes all of the time. They apparently do even crazier beers but I've never seen one myself.
I'd certainly recommend a visit, especially as they're not far from Pinthouse Pizza.
Reviewed by NealioATX from Texas
4.35/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
4.35/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Boy oh boy. The food here is *kisses lips* delicious! The beers are also quite tasty! Reasonably priced too! Service is pretty good most of the time. It's an interesting set up. It's a Co-OP so the employees are paid a living wage so no tips are accepted. Also, it's counter service with two lines. One for beer only and one for food. The wait usually isn't terrible and the wait to receive your food isn't that bad either. Fair warning, parking BLOWS.
Jan 05, 2016Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas
4.2/5 rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
4.2/5 rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
Stopped here on our way to a Texas Stars hockey game. Had a flight of their beers. I recommend their Vulcan rye IPA and the Epsilan scotch ale. The food was great. Service is walk up which threw us for a loop at first, but turned out fine. Recommended when near the airport in Austin.
Dec 31, 2015Reviewed by mschantz from Colorado
4.46/5 rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
4.46/5 rDev +8.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Yes Black Star is a coop in a sometime tragically hip town - but it is a very welcoming stop for a decidedly middle aged beer geek. 8 solid in-house beers and 18 quality guest taps means anyone can find a worthwhile beer on draft. In addition the kitchen cranks out high value high quality food. The only non-positive thing I can come up with is that the servers have a decent amount of beer knowledge but may not stand up to the geekiest BA folks and frankly I am not sure if that is on BS or the BA folks. There is an outdoor patio for nice days and a decent amount of indoor seating for hot Austin nights. Craziest thing - as a coop they won't take tips. A definite must have stop of beer lovers while in Austin.
Jan 08, 2015Reviewed by Realbeerguy from Oklahoma
2/5 rDev -51.2%
2/5 rDev -51.2%
Before I start let me say this is place was high on my list and I have been here several time and loved it however the last 3 times I have been here I have notice a decline in customer service, food quality, and beer selection. I live by the 3 strike rule and that is why I will not be coming back to Blackstar.
I went on a date recently and we decided to stop in and eat and it was a Thursday night not very crowed and the first thing I noticed was a limited beer selection alomst half of the taps were empty and when I asked about it the cashier replied with a rude "this is all we have" so I had a beer that was clearly marked as a full pour but only received a half pour so again I questioned the cashier and she replied "the sign is wrong". Then we get our cold food and my chicken tasted burnt or like they don't clean their grill very often it was so bad I could not finish nor could I have had something else because it ruined my appetite and when I finally found someone to complain to the guy said "nobody else is complaining" and that pretty much did it for me with this place
I really hoped they could turn it around but I think their pay scale living wage thing is starting to wear on the employees because they don't get tips which they probably make less money working here because of that and it seems like nobody gives a shit anymore.
Oct 20, 2014I went on a date recently and we decided to stop in and eat and it was a Thursday night not very crowed and the first thing I noticed was a limited beer selection alomst half of the taps were empty and when I asked about it the cashier replied with a rude "this is all we have" so I had a beer that was clearly marked as a full pour but only received a half pour so again I questioned the cashier and she replied "the sign is wrong". Then we get our cold food and my chicken tasted burnt or like they don't clean their grill very often it was so bad I could not finish nor could I have had something else because it ruined my appetite and when I finally found someone to complain to the guy said "nobody else is complaining" and that pretty much did it for me with this place
I really hoped they could turn it around but I think their pay scale living wage thing is starting to wear on the employees because they don't get tips which they probably make less money working here because of that and it seems like nobody gives a shit anymore.
Reviewed by JDV from Texas
4.38/5 rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Came with the wife a couple weeks ago, and we had a great time here. The house beers were better than expected, and I enjoyed every one of them that I had on the sampler. Everything was clean, fresh and very drinkable and they have a very nice list of guest beers on tap as well.
My wife ordered the grilled cheese sandwich made with fresh baked bread from Easy Tiger bakery in town and served with homemade fries which were awesome! Overall, a cool and inviting environment with a smallish menu with well prepared food and great beers. Definitely worth a visit!
Jun 12, 2014My wife ordered the grilled cheese sandwich made with fresh baked bread from Easy Tiger bakery in town and served with homemade fries which were awesome! Overall, a cool and inviting environment with a smallish menu with well prepared food and great beers. Definitely worth a visit!
Reviewed by utfiero from Texas
3.88/5 rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
3.88/5 rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
I like the vibe of Black Star. I used to ride the commuter rail and would pop in for a pint between trains.
The beer is great. I love Vulcan IPA and several others. Growler fills are available too.
The atmosphere is Austin-industrial. The staff and vibe remind me of a communist commune a little; the staff doesn't accept tips and the place is closed on May 1, International Labor Day. The food is decent, but the last time I had a burger it was really overcooked and dry. The service is a bit slow, but what do you expect from employees who don't care about tips.
Jun 08, 2014The beer is great. I love Vulcan IPA and several others. Growler fills are available too.
The atmosphere is Austin-industrial. The staff and vibe remind me of a communist commune a little; the staff doesn't accept tips and the place is closed on May 1, International Labor Day. The food is decent, but the last time I had a burger it was really overcooked and dry. The service is a bit slow, but what do you expect from employees who don't care about tips.
Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery in Austin, TX
Brewery rating:
3.67 out of
5 with
349 ratings
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