Austin, new to city

Welcome to Texas. The laws here are quite different from pa in that there is not an ounce limit at retailers like in pa. I laugh thinking about going in and out of wegmans four times to buy a few six packs. But yeah, you can walk into anywhere and buy a case of beer however I suggest looking at places such as specs and the like which will generally offer a case discount if you buy a full case of a single product. Also there is no distributor direct to consumer locations like in pa.

I'm sure this just reiterates what has already been said but being familiar with the archaic and weird pa laws I figured I'd chime in. Not like Texas is any better, we just have different archaic outdated laws.

 

You'll notice how no one recommended Hyde Park Market. They are an "emergency" store - if NO ONE else has something, and you really want it, then you can go there and overpay for it.

And remember to bring lube. You'll need it.

 

Since you are new around here, and want cheap beer, may I suggest these couple of hints:

Sundays - Texas Beer Day. Flying Saucer has TX pints for $3. Draughthouse has TX pints for $2.75
Monday - Pint night at Flying Saucer - A lot of pints are $3.
Tuesday - Pint night at Draughthouse - most pints are $2.75

Everyday - Whip In - $3 for every beer from a certain brewery every night after 7
Everyday - Flying Saucer - one $3 pint (usually nothing special)

Workhorse - Usually a cheap bar all around and has a good selection (if you are not looking for limited releases or too specialty stuff)

As far as stores, in general, the cheapest with a good selection will be Spec's, Central Market (and some HEBs), or Whole Foods. Once you go into bottle shops/gas stations, they will become more. Sunshine Market and East 1st are usually a dollar more than other places, but I have no issue paying it as I like giving to them as opposed to big chain stores. Plus, they often have harder to find stuff.

 

Draughthouse went up $0.25 around December I think. (http://www.draughthouse.com/SPECIALS2.html)

There's also Twin Liquors. HEB Hancock was the main HEB in Austin (at least for beer) I think, but the new Mueller one does growler fills. They have a nice beer section, but with the nice-looking-ness (well lit) comes too much light on a lot of bottles.

Posse East and Crown & Anchor have decent prices and taps/bottle for being next to campus.
Hopfields will have better taps and it is a few blocks farther from campus up Guad.

I've only been to Craft Pride once but got great service and recommend it. Can't comment on prices, as I don't recall, but the service was worth it if it was a bit more.

 

Prices at craft pride are generally $0.50-$1 higher than other places. However, you also get them in a 20oz glass (that is poured to above 16oz before foam), so you get a little more beer with it. On a budget, it is not the first place I would recommend as they do not have great specials.

 

The thing about Crown... nowhere else will you be buying pints of Primus for $3 (or whatever) on Texas/Austin beer days. I would head down there and just go at it, man. (We'll ignore the time a friend and I both got pints, then ordered a pitcher... of which he could only drink a glass, because he was tutoring shortly after. ...ahhhhhhh.)