I'm looking for some good places to hang out in Austin in a few weeks for the day I'll be there. It's not looking like I'll be able to make it to Jester King, unfortunately, so are there any places near the downtown, Round Rock, or Manor areas that would be the best use of my (sadly way too short) time?
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/bachelor-party-recs-for-austin.298692/#post-3712937 Pretty much copied pasted from this thread. First off, start here: http://www.craftbeeraustin.com/texas-brewery-brewpub-tour-listings-map/ It is a doc that I try to keep updated with all of the local breweries. Now, with that said, there are quite a few actual breweries that are open for tap rooms. The 3 that I recommend checking out are Hops and Grain, Jester King and Austin Beerworks. Other ones that are also good are 512 - have to reserve ahead of time, Zilker, Adelberts, Strange Land, and maybe Thirsty Planet or Last Stand if you go to Jester King (its right near it). I am not a fan of their beer as much, but Twisted X has a nice place out there as well. There is also a distinction between brewery and brewpub. The ones above (for the most part) fall into the brewery category. For the brewpub (think more of a bar that serves their beer mostly on sight but has a brewery), I recommend: Pinthouse Pizza Black Star Whip In ABGB Now, onto beer bars (places that don't really brew beer but just have great tap selection). The first place I take ANYONE from out of Texas to try Texas beer is Craft Pride (near downtown). It is a crash course into Texas beer (50+ taps of only TX beer...great for anyone who has not had any). With that said, here are some other great ones: Craft Pride (already mentioned) Draughthouse Brew and Brew (downtown) Pinthouse Pizza (brewpub but still has great selection) Waller Creek Pub House (downtown) Banger's (next to Craft Pride - near downtown) Hi Hat (east 6th...about 2 miles east of I35....but there are a lot of bars on the way to it) Hopfield's With that said, I have a grudge against Easy Tiger. If you are from out of town, go to a place with more local beer. It seems like Easy Tiger mostly has Colorado or Cali beer...big brands that they can get in a lot of places in the US. I like the place, but not for out of towners. Specifically for you - Manor has nothing. Just don't bother. Round Rock - your best bets are Flix Brewhouse or the Brass Tap. Bluebonnet Beer Company opened recently up there and has Fri/Sat taproom hours. Rentsch in Georgetown is also now open. I am not as big on the High Country Market, but they have some taps and some good selection, my reasons against them are more personal. Other northern places would be Red Horn Coffee House and Brewery which has a solid tap listing. And here: 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 http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/austin-trip-advice.309309 http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...s-and-bottleshops-in-austin-texas-area.263463
If you want more north of downtown places, then Black Star Co-op, Whole Foods Domain (40 taps in there), Draughthouse, and Pinthouse are your best bets. Depending on when you are arriving (if after late September), 4th Tap Brewing should also be open in north Austin (they "should" be going 7 days a week for most hours of the day - 10AM-10PM type hours). Should. Depending on how their brewing goes this week.