Great Breweries and Bottleshops in Austin Texas Area

So, there's this brewery in Austin called Jester King. I've heard they make some pretty good stuff.

 

C'mon folks, it's a legit question....don't crucify him...help him out.

 

Austin Beerworks is my favorite. They are in North Austin. Only open to the public on weekends.
Best bottleshop is Whichcraft, hands-down. They are central.
Best BBQ is always up for debate, but I have two faves, Iron Works downtown or Styles Switch central.

 

a legit question that has been answered time and time again. a quick search will supply the answers in short order.

ABW, H&G, JK, Pinthouse - must visit breweries
Witchcraft, Whole Foods, Central Market, East 1st, Sunrise - bottle shops
BBQ - Franklin, La, Micklethwait, Style's, Mueller

 

Depends on your level of BBQ geekery. Lines are the longest at Franklin on Friday-Sunday so you are looking at minimum of 4 hours waiting in that line in the morning. I wouldn't do it, but plenty of people do. No wait any time at Stiles and probably your best dinner option for BBQ, but people with more BBQ experience might have differing opinions.

If you go to Stiles for dinner, you will be close to Sunrise market for bottle shops.

 

Franklin is definitely worth waiting in line for. Get the brisket. Pick up a sixer to drink in line while you wait. Stiles is good if you want to grab something quick. Plus you can head over to Sunrise after that.

 

Here is a map for your using with every brewery and all taproom hours in TX.

http://www.craftbeeraustin.com/texas-brewery-brewpub-tour-listings-map/

Best bottleshop? WhichCraft.

Followed by Sunrise (Anderson Ln) and East 1st Grocery (Cesar Chavez). But, WhichCraft is the only true bottleshop in town.

The reason you will get shit for this thread is that this topic is posted weekly with the exact same question and the exact same answers.

 

Also, these may help.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/austin-tips.261393/

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/austin-this-weekend-for-bbq-where-for-beer.198609

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/texas-recommendations.192940

http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...m-denver-to-austin-places-i-must-visit.182644

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/texas-beer-tour.180762

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-austin-next-week.172767/

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/stag-party-in-austin-suggestions.162500/

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/week-in-austin.240724/#post-3090858

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/only-one-night-in-austin.225545

 

Your very best bet is to buy bottles at the brewery if you can get there while they are open.

I wouldn't wait for Franklin BBQ.

No one else will mention these two, as they are off the beaten path, but Infamous and Oasis breweries are both worth a visit. Oasis has the best view in town, and is in an area that is family friendly.

 

At Jester King. They don't disto much.

 

Honestly, most of the JK you see on shelves are just standard releases. If you want anything special, go out to the brewery. They have been having 10-12 bottles for sale of their own each week.

Other than that, the places I mentioned you will likely find some JK beers.

Franklin? Depends. I do think it is the best brisket in town. If you have nothing else going on in the morning, grab a some beer, and sit in line for 3 hours. It is BYOB, so you might as well drink some good beer.

I recommend to anyone coming to town to check out:

Jester King
Hops and Grain
Austin Beerworks

I have a feeling that Strange Land will be moving up this list soon enough. Adelbert's definitely is also getting better with time. 512/Live Oak would be good as well if they ever built a real taproom.

 

Go to Jester King; you have to. Don't think about it, just do it. Trust me.


Salt Lick BBQ is close to Jester King. I know it's not as good as Franklin's, but I'm certain it's better than most CA BBQ.

 

Since you're going to Georgetown, you could stop in Taylor at Louis Mueller bbq. Get the beef ribs + whatever else. Sometimes the brisket is as good as Franklin's. Sometimes maybe not. Sometimes Franklin's isn't really great either. I've had Franklin's several times, but always through bulk preorders. I've never waited and wouldn't recommend wasting your (probably short) time here sitting in a line, beer or no. It's great bbq, maybe the best, but there's La Barbecue down the street, J Mueller downtown and other places mentioned that are close enough.

I'd second a day of JK + Salt Lick, though they are on the opposite end of the area from Georgetown. Get some extra bottles at JK and bring to Salt Lick, which is BYOB, for dinner.

 

Salt Lick is awful. I'm sorry, its just awful - I have no idea why people like that place.

Franklin is great to do if you've never done it, but if you don't want to wait in line, go to La Barbeque or Terry Blacks or Kerlin - awesome BBQ and little/no lines. If you MUST go to Salt Lick, there is one in Round Rock (in front of Dell Diamond) so don't drive all the way out to the original, unless you really want to go there. If you go to JK, eat at Pieous instead.

600 Degrees is a pizza place in Georgetown that has good pizza and actually has a pretty decent tap wall (about 25-30, I think, and pretty well curated). Red Horn Coffee Roasters and Brewing is opening in Round Rock/Cedar Park very soon, and will have 30 guest taps as well. There are also 2 new breweries opening in Georgetown, but neither will likely be open by the time you're here. Can't lose drinking at Brass Tap in RR either.

I live in Round Rock and work in Georgetown, so if I can help in any way, don't hesitate to hit me up.

Ken

 

I'll second this. Muellers is great and if you go early on sat for lunch not a huge wait compared to Franklins. In the north part of town Sunrise is the best bottle shop, I think. And as others have said, JK is kind of a must do.