Drink Archives - Page 29 Of 32

Escape City Bustle with Charming Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Cris Mueller

Historic exterior of Krave Wine Bar in Round Rock

Take a trip to see our northern neighbors, down the humble, brick lined Main Street of Round Rock’s up and coming town center. There you’ll find Krave Wine Bar & Bistro on a bustling block of inviting, dimly lit picture windows overflowing with the warmth and charm you would expect from one of America’s safest and fastest growing cities.

Sister act Susan Mendenhall and Kim Hiler began scouting for this perfectly placed gem in 2011 with visions of a pastry shop venture.

Instead, the two conjured up a different kind of sweet spot. Krave Wine Bar & Bistro offers quality cuisine and a thoughtful menu of wine and craft beers that challenge downtown Austin wine rooms and leave the commute and overzealous crowds behind. [Read more…]

Is North Loop’s Workhorse Bar Great or Grimy?

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Dustin Vegas

Workhorse Bar and Grill in Austin

This post is inspired by Austinot Eric’s search for the best burger joint in Austin, a series on the Austinot. As always, the search isn’t only about the quality of the burger. It’s about the experience and the vibe of the burger joint as well.

This review is completely independent and my own. Feel free to comment with your opinion if you disagree with it!

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

If I had a TV show about my favorite things like Oprah, most of the show would be about burgers and craft beer. Forget artisan chocolate and Coach bags. I am a simple man with simple tastes.

Luckily for me, Austin is a wonderful place for these favorites of mine. [Read more…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Craft Pride

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena

Family crest of Craft Pride on Rainey Street

This guest blog article is by Edgar Barguiarena.

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 Austin has to offer.

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: Craft Pride

It’s the smell that hits you first, which wouldn’t make a good first impression at most bars. But as you first step into [Read more…]

Enjoy the Simple Things at Draught House Pub and Brewery

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Dustin Vegas

Opening a bar in Austin is like entering the Thunderdome: two bars enter, one bar leaves. I have watched them come and go through the years. Themed bars, dives, sports bars, college bars – many pop up, trying to dominate their niches, but few have have staying power. Personally, no bar has held my attention long enough to make me a regular. All save one: Draught House Pub and Brewery.

The Draught House is my go-to tavern. It’s my watering hole, my place where everybody knows my name. I didn’t quite understand why, though, for a long time. I’ve been showing up to this pub for years without analyzing what made it so special. [Read more…]

Cocktails with Somersault at The Domain Will Make You Flip

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Cris Mueller

Mixologist Ryan Baird at Somersault at The Domain

Mixologist extrordinaire, Ryan Baird

In cocktail terminology, the word “flip” is one that has been in use since 1695. But when you want to turn that flip into a sexier, hand-crafted cocktail of 2013, you’ll find it at 11601 Domain Drive at Somersault.

Still in its early stages of creating innovative cocktails for fans of infusions, molecular cocktail gastronomy and gourmet edibles, Somersault is far from adolescent. With the creativity and sheer skill of Bar Manager and mixologist Ryan Baird, you are in for a unique and sometimes upside-down cocktail experience. [Read more…]

Hill Country’s Lewis Wines Characterizes the Future of Texas Wine

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Matthew Champion

Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb Lewis Wines

Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb (Photo credit: Texas Wine Lover)

This guest blog post is by Matt Champion.

The Texas wine industry is rapidly expanding every year, and it’s not just the big operations that are making noise. A little place called Lewis Wines, just outside of Johnson City, is a prime example of quality over quantity. The winery opened earlier this year and has been creating buzz ever since.

Owners Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb (both in their twenties) met in college. They got their start working at Pedernales Cellars and haven’t looked back. [Read more…]

Strange Brew: Coffee Haven, Live Music, Local Feel

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Dustin Vegas

There is a strange little coffee shop in South Austin that you ought to know about. That is, if you’re a caffiene-fueled night owl like myself. Strange Brew is one of the few 24-hour coffee shops in Austin. It’s a rare breed that combines coffee, live music, local beer, and a spacious study area. There is something for everybody here.

About Strange Brew

A little background first. Strange Brew opened its doors in 2010 as a humble coffee shop. Its owner, however, wasn’t happy running just another coffee shops in this college town. He had big dreams to make the Brew another type of beast. [Read more…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Whip In

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Edgar Barguiarena

You can admire Whip In’s bottle selection even while sitting at the bar

The craft beer scene in Austin is blowing up. For every new brewery that opens up, there are at least three bars that pop up, eager to serve you the best local beers Austin has to offer.

Continuing the tradition that Eric started with his Best Burger Joint in Austin series, I’ll be 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 below in a comment.

First Impression of Whip In

“Would you like to try a new beer? It’s terrible!” asked one of the bartenders as I first walked in.

Immediately, I knew I was in the right place. [Read more…]

Squeeze the Most Out of a Juice Cleanse at Daily Juice

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Cris Mueller

Daily Juice’s Warehouse District location in downtown Austin

What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say these two words…juice cleanse! Be honest, because I know firsthand that a small dictionary of words and very graphic images came to my mind when I was asked if I’d like to try out the 3-day Sunshine Cleanse from Daily Juice.

I learned a tremendous lesson while researching for this story: juice cleanses are not a fit for everyone. However, I did give the cleanse my all. A provider of cold-pressed juices and catering options, Daily Juice bars keep the green in Austin’s weird, and in your diet. Since 2003, Daily Juice has set up multiple operations in downtown Austin and Westlake. Today Phillip Doucette, Robert Larkin and John Martin have turned a juice craze into a sustainable business with spin-offs like JuiceLand and franchises. [Read more…]

Up & Down Tour Pleases Beer Drinkers and Coffee Fanatics Alike

Posted on June 26, 2013 by David Thomas

Attendees sip coffee and listen as Joel Shuler presents during the Up & Down Tour

If there is anything I can say about my fellow Austinites, it’s that they surely love two things: coffee and beer. This is why I was stoked about participating in the Up & Down Tour, hosted by Casa Brasil and South Austin Brewing Company. After all, what better way to kill two birds with one stone on a Saturday?

The two tour hosts happen to be neighbors in a small business park at 415 E. St. Elmo, just off of S. Congress Ave, south of Ben White. Joel Shuler, co-owner/sourcing/quality control of Casa Brasil, got together with Jordan Weeks, founder/brew master/managing partner of South Austin Brewing Company.

Together, they decided that creating a tour featuring two of the best ingredients for a relaxing Saturday – coffee and beer – would be a good idea. The small number of guests (15 to be exact) for the aptly named Up & Down Tour creates an intimate atmosphere where participants can comfortably chit chat about what they learn and experience during the tour. [Read more…]

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

First Impressions: Craft Pride

About Strange Brew

First Impression of Whip In

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