First, thank you all for the responses in a prior thread. My Austin trip is coming up in two days! I'll be there for a long weekend of brew and Que. We will be hitting Franklins's in Austin and I think one or two others, then doing the Lockheart area "tour" of joints. Question #1: Can I bring beer to these BBQ places? Is it allowed by the joint? Is it legal? Any experience with bringing your own beer? Question #2: Given I'll be there with a few guys for only Thurs/Fri/Sat nights, what "beer events" would be the most promising to attend? Thanks!
The Salt Lick BBQ is BYOB (cash-only too, so keep that in mind). Call other places and ask first... I know it's legal as long as they don't have a liquor or beer license, but it's always nice to ask.
Franklins has beer on tap, so I know you can't BYOB. Salt Lick you can, but only to the original location. There is a second location in Round Rock that has a liquor license (and takes credit cards) so not at that one. As for Lockhart, I know Black's sells beer in bottles, so no BYOB there. Not sure about any of the others. Have you checked the Austin Beer Week schedule? I would highly recommend the Draught House anniversary party on Saturday, and you could do the Austin Beerworks tour/tasting on Friday (have to get tix online) and the Hops & Grain tour/taproom on Friday or Saturday (info on their web site) Looking at the Austin Beer Week calendar, I would personally do the Black Star and Draught House tappings on Thursday AND Friday
Fairly certain that they serve beer at Franklin's but seeing as you'll probably need to get there to wait in line by 9:00am you can bring some to drink while you wait. JMueller should allow BYOB. Not sure about the Lockhart locations as I have only recently made it to Black's for my first time. It was excellent. For this weekend's ABW events, I would stop by the Draught House Anniversary party 1-10pm on Saturday. It's always a lot of fun with plenty of good beers pouring outside and their regular selection of full pints inside. There are special tappings at bars throughout town as well. A cask of Fresh Hopped Vanilla 512 IPA at Billy's on Burnet Saturday. Sounds... interesting.
Fantastic info and advice. Just what I was looking for. Thank you! I'll be around the hotel in Austin likely "later" at night if anyone wants me to bring them anything from L.A. Just BeerMail me to see if we can make it work. I have a huge cellar and lots of California available things. Remember, it will mean coming to my hotel likely after 10:30 p.m., if not later, to get anything as I anticipate being out most of the day and evenings. But, if I can help anyone out....I'm happy to.
Franklin isn't BYOB, but I'd strongly recommend trying the Franklin Smoked Porter (brewed by Thirsty Planet) if it's available. It pairs flawlessly with their brisket.
I havent seen it around lately, but it might be available. Franklin's typically has 2-3 Live Oak options on draft, however, and pretty much anything by Live Oak is worth trying. As for waiting in line at Franklins, bring chairs, bring beer if you want (although someone will actually come out and walk the line, selling Lone Star and Shiner cans for $2 while you wait) and have fun. At least the weather will be nice and cool this weekend!
I assume someone gave you the low-down on Franklins, right? They open the doors at 11, but you need to be in line by 9:30 AT THE LATEST, closer to 9 if possible. They serve until they run out, and that happens fast. Someone will come down the line and take your order (your not wedded to what you tell her, but it gives them an idea of when they'll run out). If there are enough people in line, they run out before they even open the door, and the last guy to order has to hold a sign that tells anyone else who shows up that they think they'll be sold out, and you take you chances of getting nothing waiting in line after that point. It sounds like a pain, and its not something I'd do every day, but its so worth it. Best BBQ I've ever had, period. Tony Bourdain said it was the best BBQ he's had anywhere in the world, "hands down." Enjoy!
