The craft beer craze is sweeping the nation, so it’s no surprise that Texas boasts more than 300 breweries. Here are some of the most celebrated brews in Texas.
Texas Breweries
The craft beer craze is sweeping the nation, so it’s no surprise that Texas boasts more than 300 breweries. Here is some of the most celebrated craft beer in Texas.
Austin Breweries
Rainey Street near downtown Austin has exploded in popularity over the last few years, siphoning off some of the cool from other downtown Austin districts. The street’s historic houses have been converted into watering holes fit for any gastropub enthusiast’s dream.
The capital city is also home to several breweries, such as Independence Brewing Co., maker of the beloved Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout, which gives a monthly tour, and Austin Beerworks, best known for its IPAs and can-only policy, offers Sunday tasting tours. Austin mainstay Jester King’s farmhouse brewery offers an idyllic escape and opens its doors for tastings and brewery tours on the weekends. A long list of brews for purchase, outdoor corn hole and picnic tables make this an inviting weekend excursion.
Houston Breweries
In Houston, Saint Arnold Brewing Company is Texas’ oldest craft brewery, operating for 20 years. It’s also recognized by some as the most consistent brewery in the state, with a wide variety of year-round beers and bolder specialty choices. Favorite selections include the Texas Winter IPA with its hints of citrus, or the flavorful Pumpkinator.
Other notable Houston breweries include the Lone Pint Brewery, famous for its grapefruit-tinged IPA called the Yellow Rose, Karbach Brewing Company, which is the second-fastest-growing brewery in the U.S. and Southern Star Brewing, known for its Buried Hatchet Stout, Bombshell Blonde Ale and relaxed atmosphere. The brewery offers free Saturday tours and patrons are welcome to bring food, kids and even dogs.
San Antonio Breweries
San Antonio’s rich brewing history parlayed well into the craft beer trend. At the city’s Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling, visitors can take the popular ‘brewstillery’ tour of both beer and bourbon. To enjoy San Antonio’s best craft beers all in one place, look no further than Big Hops, where patrons gather for local beer, good food and a festive atmosphere.
Another San Antonio brewery worth the stop is Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery in the historic Pearl District. It boasts 15 beers on tap and a curated, seasonally shifting menu designed by Chef Jeff Balfour. The well-worn elegance of the building, with its walls of perfectly peeled paint and exposed pipes, provides the perfect setting for a flight of beers and good conversation.
Dallas-Fort Worth Breweries
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to a number of craft breweries. Rahr & Sons in Fort Worth has 160 years of brewing tradition and offers tours every Wednesday and Saturday. As for Dallas breweries, Peticolas Brewing Company is famous for its Velvet Hammer Imperial Red Ale, Royal Scandal English Pale Ale, Golden Opportunity Golden Ale and Thrilla in Brazilla IPA. The brewery has been recognized as the best brewery in Dallas by D Magazine and the Dallas Observer and has received honors at the United States Beer Tasting Championship. Those seeking a variety of craft beers will enjoy Lakewood Growler, a growler-filling station in Dallas’ Lakewood neighborhood with 36 taps of Texas craft beer. The digital-tap beer board shows visitors what’s on tap and how full the keg is.
No matter your taste, one of Texas’ more than 300 breweries is bound to have something for you. Take a Texas brewery tour to discover your favorite and tap into joy.
