Austin is known worldwide for its thriving live music scene and laid-back vibe. But did you understand it’s also home to an incredible craft beer culture? Austin claims to have more breweries per capita than any other major city in the U.S. With over 50 breweries within city limits; you may need some help narrowing down your itinerary.
The top 15 Best Austin breweries include:
- Austin Beerworks
- Jester King Brewery
- Live Oak Brewing Company
- Pinthouse Pizza
- Hops and Grain Brewing
- Zilker Brewing Company
- St. Elmo Brewing Co.
- The ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.)
- Lazarus Brewing Co.
- Blue Owl Brewing, Oddwood Ales
- Southern Heights Brewing Co.
- Vista Brewing
- Nomadic Beerworks
- And Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches.
We’ve visited nearly every brewery Austin offers and picked out the 15 can’t-miss spots. These local gems run the gamut of styles, from the oldest and most established breweries to the newest up-and-comers. Whether you prefer hazy IPAs, malty porters, or tart sours, there’s a brewery on this Austin breweries list with beers perfectly tailored to your tastes. In the following article, we’ll give you an inside look at each of the 15 best Austin breweries.
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Table of Contents
Best Austin Breweries – Our Top 15 Picks
Let us look at the top 15 Best Austin breweries:
Austin Beerworks
Austin Beerworks is one of the most popular breweries in Austin. These Austin breweries with food are known for their incredible selection of year-round and seasonal beers. Some of their best Austin breweries sellers include Panther Creek Pale Ale, Black Thunder Kölsch, and 13th Floor Elevator IPA. They have a large outdoor lawn area perfect for enjoying live music on weekends. The Austin breweries also offer free Saturday tours to learn about the brewing process.
- Address: 3009 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They offer a variety of food trucks on rotation. Check their website or social media for current offerings.
- Culture: Austin Beerworks is known for its wide selection of craft beers and vibrant taproom. They often host events and live music.
Jester King Brewery
Jester King Brewery is a little outside of Austin but is worth visiting for its unique farmhouse ales. They brew beers using wild yeast strains, which give their beers interesting, funky flavors. This is one of the Best Austin breweries. The Austin breweries is set on a beautiful ranch with picnic areas amongst the trees. Popular beers include Atrial Rubicite, Le Petit Prince, and Regal Table. They also have a kitchen serving pizza, sandwiches, and charcuterie. Spending an afternoon trying different wild ales is a very relaxing place.
- Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: The restaurant on-site serves farm-to-table cuisine, including pizzas, sandwiches, and small plates.
- Culture: Jester King Brewery is known for its farmhouse-style ales and its commitment to using local ingredients. The Austin breweries hosts outdoor events and live music on a scenic ranch.
Live Oak Brewing Company
Live Oak Brewing Company is located in Del Valle, Texas. It is one of Austin’s oldest breweries, started in 2004. It is known for its German-style of brewing. Their most famous beer is the Hefeweizen, which has won many awards. They focus on authentic brewing techniques. The Austin breweries has a big outdoor area called a beer garden where people can sit and enjoy drinks and music.
- Address: 1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: A food truck is on-site and serves various dishes, including burgers, tacos, and snacks.
- Culture: Live Oak Brewing Company specializes in German-style beers and is known for its traditional brewing techniques. It has a spacious beer garden and often hosts community events.
Pinthouse Pizza
Pinthouse Pizza is a Austin breweries and pizzeria in Northwest Hills and downtown Austin. It is known for its craft beer and wood-fired pizza. The company offers many beer styles, including IPAs, lagers, and sours. People enjoy having pizza, salads, and beer in its taprooms. It is a fun, family-friendly place to hang out with friends and sometimes listen to live music.
- Address: There are multiple locations in Austin, TX. The flagship location is 4729 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756, United States.
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They offer a menu of artisan pizzas, sandwiches, and appetizers.
- Culture: Pinthouse Pizza is a brewpub known for its award-winning beers and delicious pizzas. They have a lively atmosphere and often have special beer releases and events.
Hops and Grain Brewing
Hops and Grain Brewing is located in Austin. It opened in 2013 and focuses on American craft beer styles. They brew IPAs, pale ales, saisons, and more using quality ingredients. Their taproom has an industrial style inside and an outdoor patio. People enjoy socializing and playing games in their space. They often have food trucks outside. Brewery tours are available on Saturdays to learn about the brewing process.
- Address: 507 Calles St #101, Austin, TX 78702, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often have food trucks parked outside, offering a variety of cuisines.
- Culture: Hops and Grain Brewing is a sustainable brewery focused on producing high-quality craft beers. They have a taproom where visitors can enjoy their beers while learning about their brewing process.
Zilker Brewing Company
Zilker Brewing Company is a Austin breweries located in South Austin. It has a large outdoor area near Barton Springs where people can enjoy different beers and sit outside in a park-like setting. They brew many beer styles on-site, including IPAs, stouts, and fruit beers. It is a relaxing place to hang out on the weekends.
- Address: 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often host food trucks on-site, offering a range of culinary options.
- Culture: Zilker Brewing Company is known for its diverse selection of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and stouts. It has a welcoming taproom and often organizes live music and trivia nights.
St. Elmo Brewing Co.
St. Elmo Brewing Co. is in South Austin near St Edward’s University. It has an indoor and outdoor space to sit and have beers and snacks. Outside are food trucks so people can buy tacos, pizza, etc. The beers are made fresh on the premises, and there are seasonal beers, too. It is a family-friendly brewery where people can bring their kids and pets.
- Address: 440 E St Elmo Rd G-2, Austin, TX 78745, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often have food trucks on-site, serving a variety of cuisines.
- Culture: St. Elmo Brewing Co. offers a range of beers, including pale ales, IPAs, and sours. It has a large beer garden and regularly hosts community events and live music.
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The ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.)
The ABGB is a large beer garden located in Northeast Austin. They have a vast outdoor area with lots of tables under the shade. One can buy beers from their brewery or other local breweries by the glass or pitcher. There are food trucks and games like cornhole too. This north Austin brewery is trendy on weekends as people come with friends and family. In the evenings, they have live music shows. It is a top spot for hanging out in Austin.
- Address: 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They have a full kitchen serving a menu of pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and more.
- Culture: The ABGB is known for its award-winning beers, live music, and vibrant atmosphere. They often host events, including fundraisers and festivals.
Lazarus Brewing Co.
Lazarus Brewing is located in South Austin. It produces many beer styles, including IPAs, lagers, and stouts. The taproom has an industrial vibe, high ceilings, and an outdoor patio. It’s a popular spot for locals to hang out, listen to live music, and play games. The Austin breweries focuses on creativity and experimentation with small-batch beers. It wants customers to try new styles they may not have before.
- Address: 1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They have a kitchen serving a menu of tacos, sandwiches, and other pub fare.
- Culture: Lazarus Brewing Co. is a brewpub that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and Belgian-style ales. It has a cozy taproom, and often hosts live music and art events.
Blue Owl Brewing
This Austin breweries is in South Austin, near downtown. It has a large, modern taproom with high-top tables, booths, and an outdoor patio. Blue Owl is known for its IPAs comprising most of its tap list. Some customer favorites include the Juice Jr. hazy IPA and Stay Golden pale ale. They brew beers with modern hop profiles and flavors. The Austin breweries supports local artists and hosts music events.
- Address: 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #300, Austin, TX 78702, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They occasionally have food trucks on-site, but you can also bring food or order delivery.
- Culture: Blue OwlBrewing specializes in sour-mashed beers and is known for its unique flavor profiles. They have a welcoming taproom and often organize events, such as trivia nights and Austin breweries tours.
Oddwood Ales
Oddwood Ales is a Austin breweries and farm located just outside of Austin. They grow their own hops and brew beers using them and other locally sourced ingredients when possible. The taproom has a rustic, laidback feel and is set on a working farm. Customers can see the hop vines and farm animals. Oddwood specializes in unique beer styles like sour ales and mixed-culture farmhouse beers. Many have fruity or funky flavors. The Austin breweries cares about sustainability and environmental stewardship.
- Address: 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723, United States
- Rating: 4.7/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often collaborate with local food trucks to offer various options.
- Culture: Oddwood Ales is a brewery specializing in barrel-aged and mixed-fermentation beers. It has a modern taproom and often hosts events, such as beer releases and special tastings.
Southern Heights Brewing Co.
Southern Heights is located in South Austin. It is known for its IPA beers, like Tahitian Dreamin’ and It’s Probably Awesome. These beers have many hops, giving them a floral, citrus flavor. Southern Heights has been making beer for many years. They started in a small space but now have a large taproom with an outdoor area. The taproom has a Hollywood movie-like feel to it. Many people like to visit Southern Heights to enjoy fresh, hoppy beers straight from the source.
- Address: 6014 Techni Center Dr, Austin, TX 78721, United States
- Rating: 4.5/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often have food trucks on-site, offering a range of cuisines.
- Culture: Southern Heights Brewing Co. offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. They have a spacious taproom and outdoor seating area for visitors to enjoy.
Vista Brewing
Vista Brewing is located on a 21-acre ranch near Driftwood, Texas. The ranch has fruit trees, vegetables, bees, and a well to source water for their beers. Vista makes European-style beers like kölsch and saison. A saison is a golden farmhouse ale from France. Popular Vista beers include Dark Skies black pilsner and Adair kölsch. These beers are light and refreshing. Vista has lovely outdoor spaces and live music on weekends. They also host a big music festival twice a year. Many people visit Vista to enjoy good food and relaxing beers in the countryside setting.
- Address: 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They have an on-site restaurant focusing on farm-fresh, seasonal cuisine.
- Culture: Vista Brewing is a farmhouse brewery in the scenic Texas Hill Country. It specializes in craft beers made with locally sourced ingredients and has a beautiful outdoor beer garden.
Nomadic Beerworks
Nomadic Beerworks has two locations in South Austin. They specialize in American craft beer styles. This includes hazy IPAs, pale ales, pilsners, and sour beers. A popular Nomadic beer is their Süper Über festbier. This celebrates the Oktoberfest season in the fall. Nomadic’s taprooms have an open layout and sizeable outdoor beer gardens. They provide a fun, social atmosphere in which to drink beer. Nomadic also partners with a barbecue restaurant for food. Many people like visiting Nomadic to try American beers and hang out in the taproom or backyard.
- Address: 3804 Woodbury Dr, Austin, TX 78704, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They often have food trucks on-site, serving various dishes.
- Culture: Nomadic Beerworks is a small-batch brewery known for its rotating selection of beers. It has a cozy taproom and often hosts events, such as beer releases and live music.
Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches
Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches is a famous South Austin brewery known for its incredible selection of beers and homemade kolaches. It is in a casual indoor/outdoor setting and offers traditional Czech pastries and craft beers brewed on-site. Reviews praise the wide range of IPAs, stouts, sours, and lagers produced with quality ingredients. The kolaches, made fresh daily, receive rave reviews for their flaky pastry and savory and sweet fillings. Visitors comment on the laidback atmosphere and friendly service in enjoying a beer and snack. Batch is highly ranked among the Best Austin breweries. It represents the city’s mix of culinary traditions and creativity, drawing locals and visitors with its unique pairing of craft beers and kolaches.
- Address: 3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723, United States
- Rating: 4.6/5 (based on Google reviews)
- Food: They specialize in craft beer and kolaches, a traditional Czech pastry with various ingredients.
- Culture: Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches uniquely combines craft beer and traditional pastries. It has a cozy taproom and often hosts events, such as beer and kolache pairings.
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FAQs
How many breweries are in Austin, TX?
There are over 50 breweries in Austin. The city has become a trendy place for craft brewing.
Does Austin have a beer company?
Yes, Austin has several local beer companies that operate breweries in the city. Some of the most well-known include Austin Beerworks, Jester King Brewery, Independence Brewing, and Live Oak Brewing.
Who built one of the largest breweries in the world?
In the late 1800s, Anheuser-Busch was founded and built one of its earliest and largest breweries in Austin. It became one of the largest beer companies in the world.
Conclusion
Austin, Texas, offers a vibrant and diverse brewery scene with many options to satisfy beer enthusiasts. From innovative flavors to traditional brews, these 15 Best Austin breweries are a must-visit for anyone seeking quality craft beer. However, if you’re looking to explore beyond Austin, remember to check out the best beer in Arizona, too! With its unique breweries and flavors, Arizona offers a delightful beer experience that shouldn’t be missed. So, prepare to raise a glass in Austin or Arizona and enjoy some of the finest beers!
Kendall Jones: Seattle journalist, freelance writer, and top contributor to Washington Beer Blog. Published 5,400+ stories on beer and brewing.