Going from Austin to South Padre in the middle of June. Any good bottle shops or bars around there? Already planning on taking a few beers with me but just want to know if there are any good places worth visiting.
Bottle shops, no. They have a decent brewpub there (South Padre Brewing). But yeah, you should definitely bring plenty of beer with you from Austin.
It's been a few years since my last visit but last time I went, I went to this brew pub on the island that had some decent beers and some really good pizza. Place was called Padre Island Brewing.
I like Padre Island brewing. They have decent beer and great food. Best onion rings on the planet. Get a growler and get it filled in the afternoon for cheap. They charge less for fills earlier in the day than they do later in the day. I like their Rainbow Trout Stout and Pelagic Porter... One or the other is always on tap.
The brewpub that has been mentioned is solid, but nothing super spectacular IMHO. Another good restaurant with a good craft selection is Gabriella's. There was another smokehouse/brewpub, but I believe it did not last. (Not 100% sure, but I think I might have seen it closed about a month ago). The food was good and the beer was ok. As for beer stores, the panorama has improved a bit in the last couple of years. On the island, there is one Feldman's with a passable selection. Nothing that will blow you away, but several options so that you won't have to drink BMC. This would be the one adjacent to the Saida Towers. However, you do have to be careful because oftentimes their beer has sat on the shelves for a while. If you venture out to Brownsville (a 30 min. drive) there is a very decent Feldman's by a Target. That should satisfy your needs. In any event you won't find any store with a selection close to what you'd find in Austin.
Thanks for the replies. I will probably get my session ones overthere and take a few special ones from overhere.
I go to Padre ever summer with the family. I seem to remember a pretty decent craft selection at the HEB in Port Isabel. Was actually very surprised at what they had stocked. It should be right on your way to Padre as well. On the island... good luck... not a whole lot of options. I've never really been impressed by the beers at Padre Brewing or the service. Food is usually pretty decent. Totally unrelated, but try to eat at Zeste. A little pricey, but the best food on the island, IMO. They also have a pretty decent craft selection (and a phenomenal wine selection if that's your thing).
That stout is really nice. I remember that was my favorite. Take a glass home too, I love my fish glass!
+1 to everything, with the unfortunate news that Zeste is now closed. We also go to Padre every summer and this was my first stop in town to pick up beer for the week, unfortunately they closed late last year. If you are looking for a great restaurant with a good bottle selection then check out Gabriella's. Padre Island Brewing is a good choice for lunch and a beer, but don't expect anything great. If you plan to pick up any groceries then I would recommend the Port Isabel HEB where you can also get some decent beer.
