Drink Archives - Page 14 Of 32

Discovering Desert Door and One of Texas’ Oldest Spirits

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Danielle Fritz

Founders Ryan Campbell, Brent Looby, and Judson Kauffman produce an all-around Texan spirit
(Credit: Desert Door)

There’s a large number of craft breweries and distilleries surrounding the Austin area, so I wasn’t shocked to hear about the opening of another distillery. Until I heard the name of the spirit, that is. Sotol? Didn’t ring a bell.

But then I received an introduction, and we became fast friends.

Known to producers in northern Mexico and the West Texans who moonshine it, sotol’s extensive history still remains unknown to most people in our area. With Desert Door’s recent opening, however, that’s about to change. [Read more…]

Drink Hyperlocal at City’s First Urban Distillery, Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Bill Tucker

Barrels of locally-made spirits at Still Austin Whiskey Co. (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Most people don’t spend Sunday afternoon relaxing in an industrial park, but that’s where I found myself. Outside, a jazz band was warming up, as a freshly-poured old fashioned chilled in my hand. On the bar, a beaker filled with strawberries and whiskey bubbled like a prop from Frankenstein’s workshop. If it weren’t for the area, I would’ve thought I was hanging out at a swank cantina, not a working distillery. [Read more…]

Indulge in Fine Wine and Local Food at Big Reds & Bubbles

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)

Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.

[Read more…]

Risks Reward Austin Beer Lovers at Hi Sign Brewing

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Bill Tucker

A wide variety of fantastic beer awaits you at Hi Sign Brewing in Austin (Credit: Bill Tucker)

This article marks my three-year anniversary of writing for The Austinot. In my role as Contributing Blogger and now Lead Blogger, I’m proud to represent this unique blog and contribute to its mission of celebrating everything I love about this fine city. Looking forward to many more years of good eats, great music, and diving into the heart of Austin entertainment. As always, thanks for reading.

To stand out in Austin’s beer scene, you need to be different. Far too many breweries jump out of the gate with the standard “core four:” light beer, ale, IPA, porter. Five years ago, the strategy made sense. But with new competition popping up every month, up-and-coming brew masters need to bring something special to the table.

By peppering its tap list with a blend of left-of-center styles and traditional brews, Hi Sign Brewing has managed to make a quick, positive impression on the local beer scene. If you’re looking for something accessible yet different, this brand new spot is sure to satisfy beer lovers of every taste. [Read more…]

Plan a Full Day at Treaty Oak Ranch With Addition of Ghost Hill Restaurant

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Vi Chetan

Tasting the Experimental Collection Treaty Oak

Tasting the Experimental Collection at Treaty Oak

Editor’s Note: As of October 2018, Ghost Hill has closed, but Treaty Oak has opened a new restaurant concept named Alice’s Restaurant.

Treaty Oak Ranch opened in 2015 with a focus on creating the best locally-distilled whiskey our area had ever experienced. The Dripping Springs establishment spans 27 acres and takes pride in creating small batch, craft spirits from the best ingredients. As a happy side effect, the distillery brews beer with malts and ingredients from whiskey-making. The Fitzhugh Ale gets its name from Treaty Oak’s location on Fitzhugh Road, and serves as the perfect mid-afternoon glassful of fresh.

As if you needed another reason to visit, Treaty Oak has a new eatery called Ghost Hill Restaurant. It serves up snacks, BBQ, and a full selection of the distillery’s spirits and beers. With a focus on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, the 3,500-square-foot space boasts a minimal interior full of warm woods and a fully-stocked bar. The Texas-inspired food lives in the casual, friendly home it deserves. [Read more…]

That’s Not All! The Yard Overflows With Cool Hangouts in South Austin

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]

Batch Brings Kolaches and Over 400 Beers to Manor Road

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Vi Chetan

Fresh-baked kolaches at Batch on Manor Road

Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches opened its doors in early August 2017, filling the Manor neighborhood with the delicious smell of fresh-baked kolaches. Many Austinites take kolaches as seriously as breakfast tacos. The soft, puffy, sweet dough comes stuffed with a variety of fillings, ranging from fruit to meat. Though many argue the savory-filled ones should be called “klobasniky” (Czech for “little sausages”), it’s a mere technicality that falls away at the first bite. [Read more…]

3 Food and Drink Hot Spots at The Yard in South Austin

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Silos at Still Austin Whiskey Co. hold regional grains for whiskey production (Credit: @dananddog)

What endears Austin to its people? I suggest it’s outdoor spaces and creativity, tied together with a steadfast devotion to community. The Yard, south Austin’s revitalized community of makers, embodies these Austin virtues.

This is the first installment in a series of articles about The Yard, a seductively made-over industrial district. Spend an entertaining day-into-evening at The Yard, discovering these stellar spots. [Read more…]

Ah Sing Den’s Exotic Name Matches Revamped Food and Drink Menu

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Samantha Saenz

Asian-inspired tipples and morsels are on the menu at Ah Sing Den

After a seven-year run, East Side Showroom bid adieu last July, after owners Trudy and Mickie Spencer announced plans to revamp the bar and lounge completely. A few weeks later, an Asian-inspired concept called Ah Sing Den rose from the metaphorical ashes, in East Side Showroom’s place on East Sixth Street.

The Spencers’ vision for Ah Sing Den came from the venue’s namesake, an opium den in East London that was famous in the Victorian era. In the den, it was said both Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle found creative inspiration. I was invited to stop by recently to sample Ah Sing Den’s new menu and find some inspiration of my own. [Read more…]

The Water Tank: Northwest Austin’s Comfy Neighborhood Bar

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Dustin Vegas

Water Tank is a neighborhood bar located at the border of Austin and WilCo

McNeil Drive acts as the dividing line between Austin and Cedar Park, and The Water Tank sits on the Austin side. You can sit on the front porch of this welcoming neighborhood bar and throw a Shiner bottle into the next county.

[Read more…]

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