512 in the DFW area?

Have you ever heard of "The Velvet Rut"?

It's a term related to musicians who come to Austin to take the world by storm then get into a rut and stall their career because they don't want to leave town. They are able to make a comfortable lifestyle just playing in different venues around town, drinking at bars, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. They're happy staying where they are rather than seeking fame and fortune outside of the Downtown music scene.

(512) is in the velvet rut right now.

 

Can I come over?

 

I heard it for the first time when Alejandro Escovedo used it on Bourdain this week. Makes a lot of sense.

 

I think it has more to do with the brewer's stance on being as sustainable as possible rather than a lack of ambition. Kegs and growlers produce less waste so they decided to go that route over bottling.

 

Doesn't get it into my house though.

Seriously, I live on the west side of Houston. You don't get growler fills without going in the city or 15+ miles in other directions.

Specs is all we have on a regular basis.

As noted before, it's their decision.

 

Certainly....but the (512) is long gone... It's GD Oak Aged Yeti and DFH 90 right now. I need to get rid of the 90 minute... I'm sick of it. Lol

 

It'd be tough for me to take down a 90 minute keg too.

Yeti would take a while, but it would be cherished.

I'd help if I was in Austin.

 

Ill help you put a dent in that GD OA Yeti for sure!

 

Where can we get slim kegs of (512) outside of Austin? I mean I understand not bottling I guess...and a half dozen places I know of in Fort Worth carry them as a staple so I can get my fill of $3 pints but I'd like to have some while BBQ'ing during football, tailgating, etc.

 

When I was looking to get a 5 gallon keg of Pecan Porter for my wedding I was told they do not fill slim kegs for commercial (non-bar) sales. Not sure how accurate that information is, but I heard it from a few places around Austin.

 

They don't bottle because it's hard and costs a lot of money to do right.

 

I've never seen (512) in any configuration other than a 1/2 barrell. Around $149 for a (512) IPA in that size.

 

Spec's. I'll ask Bobby this afternoon but I'm pretty sure they can get you 512 kegs.

 

Yeah, they're totally lying when they say the reason they don't bottle is that they feel it's wasteful.

 

Saying its wasteful is easy to justify when the margin on kegging is about 10-15% better then 6-packs. Kegging is easy too.

 

They actually use European kegs (made in Germany if I recall correctly) but with US style D-couplings. They are only 13.2 gallons, so not quite a half-barrel (15.5 gallons). I paid about $160-165 out the door at Specs S. Austin for the ones I had. It'd be more if you don't have a keg to swap for the deposit.