Drink Archives - Page 27 Of 32

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company Draws a Crowd to South Austin

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Matthew Champion

Fly, ABGB, Fly (Photo credit: TheSimplifiers.com)

Every time I head out to the Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company, it’s always packed to the brim with people. There’s good reason for this, and it’s admirable that ABGB has been able to develop such a following in less than a year. They opened their doors last summer and it seems like they’ve never closed since.

Despite the new company name, the people behind the brand are not inexperienced when it comes to the craft beer game. Head Brewers Amos Lowe and Brian Peters hold nearly fifty years of collective experience between them, with former leading positions held at Uncle Billy’s Brew and Que and Live Oak Brewing Company. [Read more…]

The Queen of Pies Wears the Crown at Home Slice Pizza

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Cris Mueller

Home Slice’s Queen of Pies (Photo credit: WallyG via Flicker CC)

I approached the mustachioed, pig-tailed little lady who sits atop 1415 South Congress Avenue. High above the cozy and fragrant Home Slice, the “Queen of Pies” reigns with authority and a slice of home for many Austinites.

There’s no escaping the wafting, nearly visible garlic and tomato bouquet that emerges from the doors, sills, and kitchen vents of the 9-year-old pizza venue that introduced New York style pizza to Central Texans. Jeff Mettler, Executive General Manager at Home Slice Pizza and More Home Slice, said it all began with a mission to “create an Austin institution based on the original, unfailing goodness that is authentic NY Style pizza.”

And so began what is hands-down one of my favorite dining experiences to date, with a member of pizza royalty. Mind the gap during my venture of craft beer, upside-down pie, and layers of flaky dough, for the raw storytelling proves true to the experience one is intended to have at Home Slice. [Read more…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Pinthouse Pizza

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena

L-R: Electric Jellyfish and his big brother, the Nomura Double IPA (Credit: Bill Tucker)

The craft beer scene in Austin is blowing up. For every new brewery that opens, there are at least three bars that pop up, eager to serve you the best local beers that Austin has to offer. Continuing the tradition that Eric started with his Best Burger Joint in Austin series, I’m profiling and reviewing the best craft beer joints in Austin, with the occasional stop or two at bars that have room for improvement. I’ll take into consideration everything from beer selection to ambiance to overall value, and everything in between.

Please join me as I try to catalog your favorite watering holes in Austin, and let me know what you think in a comment below.

First Impressions: Pinthouse Pizza

Pinthouse Pizza has quickly become a staple in the Austin beer scene, though they’ve only graced the Burnet strip for the last year and a half. This review is timely, since the infamous Odell Microbrewery from Ft. Collins, Colorado is throwing a launch party at Pinthouse this month. What some people don’t know is that Odell’s former head brewer, Joe Mohrfeld, is the cofounder of Pinthouse. What better time to revisit one of Austin’s great brewpubs, as Mohnfeld returns to his roots. [Read more…]

Emerald Tavern: Part Tabletop Gaming Hangout, Part Beer and Coffee Bar

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Robert Luke

Emerald Tavern is located at 9012 Research Blvd.

In the last few years, the North Cross area of town has become more and more exciting and lively. One of the newest additions to the neighborhood is Emerald Tavern. It’s not just another coffee shop and bar because it’s also a store and hangout for tabletop gamers.

Opened in October 2013, Emerald Tavern features a unique and relaxing atmosphere for gamers and anyone else who wants to sit down and have a drink. Owners Marshall Geyer and Erich Weidner “really wanted to recreate something that we do every weekend that we love: games, beer, food, coffee. Something we would do with our friends,” explained Geyer. “There are a lot of game stores in town. There are a lot of places to go drink in town. But there aren’t a lot of places that are friendly to do both at the same time.”

The atmosphere at Emerald Tavern is quite comforting as you walk in. It’s decorated in an English tavern style with a beer selection to your left and a game selection to your right, while being audibly blanketed with music from your favorite film and video game scores. [Read more…]

Hopfields Is French for Yummy

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome

Hidden at the end of a rather stark commercial building sits one of the shiniest hidden gems in the treasury of Austin dining spots. There are many choices for lovers of food and libation in Austin, but Hopfields is the only bar I have discovered so far that manages to please the pickiest eaters, as well as the most discerning craft beer fans.

As an eager drinker of brews both local and distant, the copper wall of taps is a welcome sight. It can be overwhelming to the uninitiated, but the bartenders here are helpful experts. Let them know your tastes and they will make recommendations accordingly. If beer isn’t your thing, Hopfields also has a lovely selection of Ciders, with a rotating tap as well. There is a very complete wine list – and a list of clever sounding wine cocktails. Enough to tempt even the most stoic beer-drinker away from their old standard. [Read more…]

Austin’s Best Downtown Happy Hours Ready to Wet Your Whistle

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome

According to Wikipedia, the origins of “Happy Hour” are shrouded in mystery, but we are grateful nonetheless. Just as mysteriously, finding the perfect happy hour can be difficult in a city full of watering holes, but the well informed won’t have to travel far.

Believe it or not, some of the city’s more affordable cocktail hours happen to be in the heart of downtown, conveniently close by to that afternoon meeting of yours. Maybe happy hour should even be combined with the meeting?

The following four locales are a great place to start any evening, but this list is just the tip of the happy hour iceberg. [Read more…]

The Ultimate Guide to Cozy Coffee Date Spots in Austin

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Cris Mueller

Photo credit: Jodi Bart via Flickr CC

As I begin to celebrate my fifth year in Austin, I’m realizing many things about my life here and the spaces I choose to live it in. One piece of this Austin-based life I’ve mastered is finding the most satisfying places to test out my humor, palate and taste in men…and the venues they choose for our dates.

I have a string of top notch date spots to share, as I bare my soul to Austinot readers. Today, I’ll begin by presenting a few of my most memorable, cozy coffee date spots in Austin. [Read more…]

This Year’s Best Winter Seasonal Beers: Christmas in My Cup

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena

A classic Christmas Ale from Anchor Brewing (Photo credit: Yumi Kimura via Flickr CC)

As hoodies and coats start making an appearance, so do our favorite winter seasonal beers. We may not get hit quite as hard as our neighbors to the north, but something about “frigid” 50-degree weather makes me start craving a nice bourbon-barrel aged stout. Once scarves come out, I start hankering for a nice Winter Warmer, a traditional spicy winter seasonal style of beer.

Spending cold days hanging out at Banger’s always gets me in the mood to try one of the many coffee-infused beers that they always seem to have on tap. (Side note: don’t be deterred to try out Banger’s in cold weather. They have huge tents up with warmers, making it seem like even more of a proper beer hall.)

2013 was a banner year for the craft beer industry in Austin. We saw the opening of what quickly became one of the premier craft beer joints in Austin, Craft Pride. Not to mention the impressive 6 medal haul at the Great American Beer Fest. But most importantly, distributors finally starting taking notice of Austin and we are now starting to get more deliveries of the best beers brewed around the country. Add that to the already excellent beers the Austin-area is brewing, and the selections can get overwhelming.

So here is a quick and dirty guide to a few of the local holiday beers, Austin-area winter seasonals, and some honorable mentions from around the country that we can expect to see this time of year. [Read more…]

Peche Belongs on Your List of Go-To Cocktail Spots Downtown

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Brittany Highland

Peche in the Warehouse District downtown (Photo credit: Tim Meaney via Flickr CC)

Your downtown business meeting or special event just ended, and now all you want is a place to relax and enjoy a hand-crafted drink. If this is you, I recommend Peche.

Located in the Warehouse District, on 4th Street just east of Lavaca, Peche’s unpretentious exterior is easy to pass without a second look. But step inside and you’ll be greeted by a low-lit, romantic interior with decor that hints at times past.

The menu is filled with a variety of cocktail, food and wine selections. The venue’s claim to fame is its status as Austin’s first absinthe bar. Cocktails are pre-prohibition style, inspired by owner Rob Pate’s historical studies and time abroad. In fact, your visits to Peche will likely transport you to another time and place. [Read more…]

House Wine: Go Out for a Glass of Wine at Home

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Matthew Champion

House Wine exterior (Photo credit: austingastronomist.com)

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a glass of well-selected wine and still feel like you’re in Austin, look no further than House Wine. It sits tucked away on Josephine Street, near P. Terry’s on South Lamar, and is perfect for a date or any good company if you’re seeking an intimate, laid back atmosphere.

The house has been around for decades, but has been renovated nicely to resemble a trendy bungalow in the midst of the city atmosphere. The decor is modern and comfortable and screams “relax.” In fact, if half of you wants to go out and half of you wants to stay at home, just go to House Wine. It’s that comfortable. [Read more…]

First Impressions: Pinthouse Pizza

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