Austin Trip Inquiry

Whole Foods downtown probably has some JK singles.

 

Yea, Whole Foods Lamar sells singles, you can break anything out of a 6/4-pack too, as long as it's not a closed box.

 

East 1st, Whole Foods and WhichCraft will all have JK. Just depends what they send out to distro.

If you want actual singles of local beers, WhichCraft has a whole wall dedicated to that.

 

We stopped at ABGB today. I tried the American Pilsner (pre-pro Pilsner type), the Industry German Pilsner, and the Helles. Those were all excellent lagers worthy of the awards they have won. Some of the better made beers I have had on this trip.

 

ABGB was definitely good the only time I've been able to go there. When I visit Austin I'm up north with family and it's hard to go anywhere down south. But a few years back I did go there with my wife, and Ron Extract from Jester King.

I would love to hear about what else you try on this trip. It's always interesting getting an outside perspective on the breweries around here.

 

I am always curious about an outside perspective as well. I suggest breweries that I always go to but I do not know if outsiders feel the same about those.

 

We stopped at Pinthouse Pizza north the first night. It was really enjoyable, after trying to find a parking space. The beers we had, IPA and Session IPA, were well made, but not exceptional. I did have two IPAs, which means it held my attention enough to not stray to the guest taps. The pizza was really good.

One other comment on ABGB, I used to live in Germany and get back often, so the lagers were that good. I homebrew Pre Pro Pilsners often, and the Rocket 100 was an excellent example.

 

Do you have any guess what hops were used in the Rocket 100? The description on their website talks about german brewers coming to the US and then using indigenous ingredients. The only US hop I've heard of being available prior to prohibition was Cluster... But I personally don't think that hop tastes good and I know there are other people who do too.

I wonder if the Rocket 100 uses more noble hops, or cluster, or american hops that were developed after prohibition.

 

I talked to Amos for a little bit. Said I didn't pick up any Cluter. He said it was Hallertau and Saaz. Cluster is good if you get it fresh, and does lend a certain flavor that is authentic to me, it tastes like the sips of grandpa's beer I would steal as a kid. I use Cluter and Saaz in my homebrewer versions.Edit - they use corn, I didn't pick up any 6-row flavor, those were the 2 ingredients used by the 19th century German immigrants. Cluster was used, imported noble hops were too.

Above you said you had been to ABGB when you were "up north in Austin". The only time I hear that is when I am visiting inlaws in the Valley.

 

I was trying to say that I normally don't get down to South Austin because my parents live in far North Austin (almost Round Rock).

There was one time when my friend took my wife and I to entreat Jester King to sell a keg to her bar (They didn't want to because they didn't like how their beer conditioned in kegs). After the JK taproom closed Ron invited us to go to ABGB...

I knew that Cluster was imported heavily to the UK and I thought I've seen also to Germany for use as bittering additions for beer. I knew that noble hops were imported to the US back in the 19th century, but I have always thought of Cluster for versions of old American beers because it was so much cheaper back then than the alternatives...

 

Put Pint House Pizza on your must to do list. They release two IPAs this week. Fingers crossed they last until you get here (just depends on how many kegs)

 

I think the biggest issue with PHP is that I do not really like the north one there. It seems like they have almost forgotten about the beer program up there and are on cruise control with the same releases. I walked in there a couple weeks ago and just left after nothing really appealed to me (and it was packed).

The south PHP is where you go for beer.

 

Good to know, I will file that away for next time.

We will be one the North side for two nights, as I am judging first round NHC.

 

Had lunch at Black Star, as the niece works within walking distance, and it was good to visit with her. Beer and food were fine.

Made a drive out to Live Oak for one. They do a great job on the beer, my only disappointment was that the Pils was not on tap, but the Rauchbier was good.

Today a friend has a tour of Real Ale lined up, so I get to see the big one in the area.

 

Real Ale is a ways out there. You will likely drive by Pieous (Pastrami/Pizza place) that is worth a stop for lunch/dinner. Also, that is the same road that has Jester King and Last Stand just off of it (obviously, closer to Austin).

 

The last four nights were in Drippin'. Matt is picking us up. Been to Blanco before.

Edit - have had some of the Last Stand beers, pretty good. Had those at the Barber Shop.

 

Funny thread, as I'm in Cincy a bunch and heading down to Austin/Dallas this week. My buddy is a (very) minority owner of Lazarus, so we're heading there for sure. I'd love to hear any feedback anyone has on them to share with him.

Make it to Cincy yet?

We checked out new-ish brewery Woodburn and Taft's for the first time a few weeks ago. Between the two, I thought Woodburn knocked it out of the park beer-wise, while Taft's underwhelmed (which was disappointing as I had high hopes).

 

If any of these offer discounted first rides/referral codes like Uber/Lyft, send my way. Depending on how things go we may use one.