Visiting Austin (Fall 2016)

Brass Tap domain north. Brass Tap round rock and The Growler Bar in Pflugerville are some of the best pubs north/far north.

 

Definitely add Growler Bar and Brass Tap to the list.

If we want to go suburbia...then we also may want to add Red Horn and Dig Pub.

 

I'm not sure exactly what this post is about, I guess I missed the first edition, but it looks like you've got everything figured out.

If you're looking for places I'd definitely add Thirsty Planet, Smoke'n Hops (decent BBQ), and even Twisted-X (just to say you've been there) to your Hill Country tour, but also Middleton which is a little further out but (I thought) worth the trip.

Uber/Lyft: I'm not sure where you're staying but... if you can get an Uber/Lyft outside of the city to take you somewhere (even a block or two), you can then surely get the driver to operate off of the system as your personal driver for a relative fare - just work it out, they're not on the clock like cabbies.

Personal favorites in no order:
Bangers/Craft Pride - half a block from each other? Bangers is awesome!
Whip In (bizarro... sour beers and Indian food but also take out and music at night...?)
ABGB - very cool, relaxed hang with decent beers and music later on. Also not too far from the Continental Club and that whole strip for music/more beer/food.

 

Smoke n Hops has closed. Thirsty Planet is pretty limited in their hours, only 11-3 on Saturdays. They do decent beer, but don't really stand out compared to newer Austin offerings.

Do you think its worth having a priority order for each area?

I'd have to say that Billy's on Burnet and Workhorse are two bars I'd add to North-Central.

 

Firstly I'm sad that Smoke'n Hops has closed. They didn't have the best BBQ but it was pretty good, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the beer was given the overall look of the place, meaning it didn't seem like a beer place at all.

To answer both of the last two posts, yes, Thirsty Planet's hours are a hassle as they don't quite jive with what's around them. Given that they're the underdog you'd think they'd get in line with everyone else. Oh well.

Which brings me to a priority order for each area. #1, as noted, timing can be a hassle. I always make note of days and times and quite often I just can't fit things in (didn't make it to Hill Farmstead on my recent trip to VT). #2, everyone's tastes and interests are different. #3, there's this thing called hype that can throw things off.

"Would you say the breweries you mentioned compare well to places in the city?" Yes, and no, probably impertinent. Jester King not included I still think a trip to Hill Country is well worth the time, but that's up to the traveler. In fact, I've quite often been put into odd areas on my trips where the unusual places are near me and I can't quite make it to the "good stuff".

Overall I think it's a great list, and there's always the regular "places" directory to search. The only thing I'd add is more description behind each one, especially if it's close to another place.

Great job.

Don't know when I'll get back to Austin

 

Not a Thirsty Planet fan at all. But, they are moving to a new location in Far South Austin (South Congress and Slaughter). They will then have a tasting room with regular hours.

 

Coming into Austin this weekend from Nashville. If anyone is up for meeting up and sharing some beers let me know. I can bring down some things from Nashville if there's interest.

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ts-tasting-november-6th-draught-house.461622/

 

Dead link...hmm

Did the mods remove the monthly Beerist tasting post? @MiguelMandingo

 

I might have overlooked it but I would add Oasis Brewing. They have a pretty cool location worth checking out.

 

Is the tasting happening?

 

Looks like it. Post is still up on the beerists' FB page

 

I am super happy for this list. I hate those "I'm visiting, where to go threads" when there's so much good information already. I wish I stumbled upon this and the trade threads earlier - on a plane to Austin - have some OH, Trillium and Carton on me, so maybe I'll see some of you at a random brewery today.

 

Where would be a good place in Austin to get BCBS? Heading there tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I'll be staying in North Austin near the Domain

 

The Domain Whole Foods does a Black Friday cellar release every year. I haven't seen what time it is this Friday. IIRC they had a good amount of BCBS. HEB Mueller also does a 7am release if you like waiting in line. If you're just looking to snag some regular, the Specs on Mopac at the Arbor Walk (just south of the Domain) usually has multiple cases on the floor w/o a wait.

 

Do you know what the limit is @ Spec's?

 

Last year I saw a guy buy a case and get the case discount, so I'm assuming unlimited.