• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do This Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Lazarus Brewing Cultivates Community Alongside Coffee, Tacos, and Beer

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Guest Blogger

Lazarus Brewing Company Entrance Austin

Guest article by Ken Pishna

When Christian Cryder left Montana behind to open a brewery on East Sixth Street in Austin, he wanted to build a community around four key ingredients: coffee, beer, tacos, and joy.

Lazarus Brewing Company was born on Christmas Eve in 2016. With a talented head brewer, one of Austin’s finest Street-Mex food truck chefs, and a veteran coffee roaster; the beer, food, and coffee were givens.

The question was whether Lazarus could rise up and give new life to the Bike Texas building, and iconic Cool Store, as a brewery with plans to be more than a place to grab a cold one.

Embracing Community at Lazarus Brewing

Lazarus Brewing Stained Glass

Stained glass connects the main tap room to the barrel room

It’s no small secret Cryder was a pastor in Montana and continues to minister in Austin. The colors of Cryder’s background are woven throughout Lazarus Brewing. There are beers named “40 Days and 40 Nights” and “First Noël,” and a stained glass image in the ceiling connecting the main tap room to the barrel room. Yet Cryder never wanted to blend the church into the brewery. He wanted to foster a communal space where people could gather and find the joy in life.

“There’s something good about the brewing scene, what it does for people, what it does for community,” the Austin entrepreneur shared with me. And that’s something Lazarus embraces.

From day one, it has been an open and inviting space, welcoming families, including their four-legged members, with a cozy tap room space. Much of it was handcrafted by Cryder and his family, and the space opens through vast garage doors onto a beautiful patio and courtyard. The courtyard is furnished with large picnic tables that invite people to sit down with neighbors, friends, and strangers alike.

Since opening in 2016, Lazarus Brewing has revamped the Cool Store, but Cryder didn’t want to dismantle the history of the community landmark. Paying homage to the Cool Store, Cryder only gave the facade a face lift, leaving Bob Marley serenading us on Chicon Street. The inside has been converted into a multi-purpose space that houses a wild fermentation/sour facility, barrel-aging room, and event space.

Bob Marley Mural Austin

Christian Cryder, owner of Lazarus Brewing, preserved the Bob Marley mural from 6th Street Cool Store, which closed in early 2016

➡️ Keep reading: Lazarus Brewing Company Comes to East Side With Pints, Pups, and Tacos

More Than a Brewery

Lazarus Brewing Serves Coffee Daily

Lazarus serves coffee seven days a week

All the while, Lazarus has managed to maintain the cozy coffee house feel up front, where coffee roasted on site by Cryder’s wife Marilyn is served beginning at 7 a.m. during the week, and 10 a.m. on weekends. There is a full espresso bar and the caramel leather sofa remains in the cozy nook inside the main entrance.

Lazarus Brewing Sofa

Lazarus creates an inviting, comfortable space to relax with friends

The gourmet Street Mex menu ranges from breakfast to lunch to dinner, so you can’t think of Lazarus as just a brewery.

It’s easy enough to drop in with friends for a cup of coffee and breakfast taco to get the day started. Or come by any time of the day to jump on the free Wifi and get some work done, sipping a cup of hand-crafted Joe, or an adult beverage or two.

East Sixth Street Brewery Austin

Lazarus recently released wild fermentations and barrel-aged beers

For all its offerings, Lazarus also remains steadfast as a great example of craft beer. Head brewer Matt Couch has built a strong set of base beers when you want something tried and true, but has also developed an assortment sure to please even the finickiest craft beer aficionado. (Of which I’m one and, yes, I was pleased.) Couch’s latest offerings include the aforementioned wild fermentations and barrel-aged beers.

All that Lazarus offers by way of creature comforts equals exactly what Cryder intended. He has created a place to sit, relax, converse with friends and strangers, and find the joy in life.

1902 E. 6th St. — Website

@theAustinot wants to know:

Which breweries in Austin make you feel at home?

Ken Pishna travels around the country interviewing interesting craft brewers and sharing their stories through “Living A Stout Life.” Watch his conversation with Christian Cryder on YouTube.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Latest posts by Guest Blogger (see all)
  • Best Austin Restaurants With a View – 8 Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 8, 2022
  • 7 Best Austin Restaurants With a View: Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 21, 2021
  • DipDipDip Tatsu-ya Is Making Austin Go Wild Over Shabu Shabu - January 27, 2020

Filed Under: Drink, Food & Drink Tagged With: brewery, coffee shops, craft beer, eastside, sixth street

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

Things to do in Austin this Summer

Keep It Cool: 2025’s Hottest Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Summer Camps in Austin 2025

Summer Camps in Austin 2025 – STEM, Sports, Arts & More Top Programs Your Kids Will Love

Things To Do in Austin With Teens

50 Things to do in Austin with Teens| Fun Teenager Activities

Recent Posts

  • National Ice Cream Day Austin 2025 – Sweet Deals from Handel’s, Dairy Queen, Burger King, and more!
  • Best Fun Events in Austin July 18 -20
  • National Hot Dog Day Deals in Austin 2025
  • 20 Best Museums in Austin, TX – Art, History, & Unique Gems 2025
  • 40 Best Indoor Things to Do in Austin – Fun for Rainy Days, Summer Heat & More

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in