James Lipari, Author at The Austinot

Meet The Middle Man Fighting Racial Injustice in Austin with Beer

September 4, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Marvis Dixon holding his flag at Oddwood Ales — Marvis Dixon at Oddwood Ales (Credit: Marvis Dixon)

Marvis Dixon has been doing great things. He’ll be the first one to tell you that he’s an “average guy.” I’ll tell you that he’s a bit more than that, and absolutely doing great things in our community. If you’re going to champion a cause, let it rip full throttle, and let’s follow this guy’s lead.

The Black Is Beautiful initiative is a collaborative beer effort created by Weathered Souls Brewing, and was covered by The Austinot here. The brass tacks of it is this: Breweries across the country were invited to brew a communal Imperial Stout recipe, put their own spin on it, release it with a unified label, and donate proceeds from it to community action groups that fight for equality and police brutality reform.

Don’t Hold Out on Hold Out Brewing

August 10, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Hold Out Brewing courtyard — The relaxing Hold Out Brewing courtyard

You know that goofy feeling you get when you find a new favorite place? Of course you do! I almost did a little socially-distanced tap dance during my first visit to Hold Out Brewing, but that would be too goofy, even for me. As happy as I was, nobody wants to see that.

Austin Breweries Join Effort To Combat Racial Injustices

June 12, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

With everything going on in the world right now, we could all use a bit of good news. Here it is: there’s a new beer coming! And while this typically generates a little excitement, this isn’t your average beer release. It is far more than that. It’s an initiative, it’s a movement, and it’s a cause. Enter Black Is Beautiful.

Unified logo of the initiative (image courtesy of Weathered Souls Brewing)

How to Get To-Go Beer From That Austin Brewery You’re Missing

March 30, 2020 by James Lipari 2 Comments

Austin Brewery Beer To-Go — Our favorite Austin breweries have pivoted to offer beer to-go and curbside service (Credit: 12 Fox Beer)

With all of this newfound time on most of our hands, you may be doing all the right things like catching up on housecleaning, reading that book you’ve been meaning to get to, or simply plowing through your watch list. However you’re spending your time, you certainly shouldn’t have to face this situation without a local beer in hand. Who ever heard of a shut-in without beer? Pssshh. Not a chance!

In all seriousness, Austin breweries and brewpubs are among the hardest hit businesses amid this crisis. BUT KNOW THIS: NEARLY ALL OF THEM ARE OPEN FOR BEER TO-GO! If they serve their own food or have a food truck, then they’re almost certainly offering take-out food, as well.

These are the people who take care of us in good times, and we really need to take care of them during this not-so-good time. We want them all to be open once we Austinites get back to being our social selves.

Turning Old Into New, Central Machine Works Beer Hall Opens in East Austin

March 9, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Central Machine Works Beer Hall in East Austin

When I walked into Central Machine Works, the first word to leave my mouth after picking up my dropped jaw was, “Whoa!” The sheer size of the place, along with the hustle and bustle, compels you to see what all the buzz is about. Turns out it’s quite a lot!

Central Texas Breweries Come Together at Hops for Houses Craft Beer Festival

February 24, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

The House That Beer Built Habitat for Humanity

Beer is such a wonderful thing! Of its many splendors, it tends to bring people together. And when it brings people together for a good cause, the beer tastes that much better. So…

We have another beer festival coming! On Feb. 29, 2020, Hops for Houses Craft Beer Festival will take place at Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, east of Round Rock. Several Austin breweries will be represented, comprising nearly half of the total in attendance, with the others hailing from the towns surrounding us.

Nomadic Beerworks and Central District Brewing Collaborate on New Brew

January 15, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Nomadic Beerworks and Central District Brewing Collaboration

Guest article by James Lipari

The collaborative spirit of the craft beer industry is part of what draws so many of us to it. While individual breweries are direct competitors, they’re also often friends that regularly help each other out. And when you’re two of the newest breweries in town, joining forces to announce your presence is a strong move. Actually, you might go ahead and dub your collaboration beer “New Kids on the Block.”

New Kids on the Block is a real thing, a collaboration celebrating the 2019 openings of two Austin brewhouses. Central District Brewing marked its grand opening in May 2019, and Nomadic Beerworks subsequently opened in June. Both breweries have won accolades and fans in a short amount of time.

Vista Brewing’s Winter Bottle Release (Why You Should Plan to Visit Soon)

January 15, 2020 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Vista Flight of Beer in Driftwood Texas — Enjoy a flight at Vista Brewing (Credit: James Lipari)

Guest article by James Lipari

A short day trip to Texas Hill Country is always a good idea, and one of my absolute favorite destinations is Vista Brewing. The big, rolling property is perfect for a family outing. Here’s why.

What to Expect From Austin’s Craft Breweries in 2020

December 30, 2019 by James Lipari 1 Comment

Craft Breweries News for 2020 (Credit: ATX Beer Bus) — Tasting at Celis Brewery (Credit: ATX Beer Bus)

Guest article by James Lipari

With the new year approaching, I asked several Austin breweries to gaze into their crystal balls (or planning software, whatever), and tell us what magical things we can expect in 2020. Here’s the inside scoop on what they told us.

8 Austin Beer Pros Get Us Pumped for Texas Craft Brewers Festival

August 26, 2019 by James Lipari Leave a Comment

Texas Craft Brewers Festival Aerial — Overlooking Texas Craft Brewers Festival in Austin (Credit: Jason Youngblood)

Guest article by James Lipari

On Sept. 28, 2019, at Fiesta Gardens, Austin will once again proudly host the state’s largest beer event, Texas Craft Brewers Festival.

If you’ve ever been to a beer festival, you may know what to expect. With over 75 breweries in attendance serving samples of their hard work, you are bound to find your next favorite beer. If you haven’t been to a beer festival, then this is the one you really shouldn’t miss. Even if you don’t think you like beer, it could just be that you haven’t had the right one yet.