Celis Brewery’s line of brews brings back old school flavors in new, exciting ways (Credit: Jason Babos)

In the ever-expanding world of craft beer, you rarely get a second chance. Fail to gain a foothold in the marketplace, and your brewery could be sunk. Austin’s beer community is as close knit and supportive as a competitive market gets, but if you can’t stand out, you’ll quickly be forced to stand down.

These cold, hard facts make the story of Celis Brewery one for the ages. Like a phoenix reborn, Austin’s first craft brewery has risen from the ashes to reclaim its place among Austin’s beer elite. And it’s doing so with a heart for tradition, family, and old school quality. [Read more…]

In the wild, weird world of craft beer, one style reigns supreme: the IPA. A hopped up, more bitter version of the traditional pale ale, India Pale Ales serve as gateway brews that introduces non-beer drinkers to the world of craft.

With over 30 breweries making their home in the greater Austin area, there’s no shortage of these delicious hop bombs. In celebration of the style, and craft beer in general, we’ve picked eight of our local favorites IPAs. [Read more…]

Credit: Lazarus Brewing Company

Guest article by Judy Rae Merhar

At the intersection of East Sixth Street and Chicon, you’ll notice a spruced-up teal structure with a navy crest logo reading Lazarus Brewing Company. A barrage of open garage doors allow melodies to drift onto the street. Next to me is a parked pickup with a friendly golden lab wagging its tail from the truck bed. The scene appears like an open invitation to explore this new Austin brewery, and so it is.

[Read more…]

Austin Beerworks has been working to become your go-to local craft beer since 2011 (Credit: Austin Beerworks).

When you think of a fun hang, your first thought typically isn’t about an industrial park. But that’s where I found myself on a beautiful evening. Friends and colleagues lined the outside picnic tables. Friendly bartenders served friendly beer in a friendly environment. Everyone had a brew in hand, enjoying the impromptu celebration.

And for good reason. With a balanced line of consistent crowd pleasers and beer geek favorites, Austin Beerworks has earned its place among the ATX craft beer elite. And with this month’s announcement of a massive brewhouse expansion, Austin Beerworks is celebrating its five-year anniversary in style. [Read more…]

Blue Owl Brewing on E. Cesar Chavez (Credit: Tygrr DosRemedios)

Austin’s newest urban brewery has opened on Caesar Chavez, offering a collection of rare brews you won’t find anywhere else in town. Blue Owl Brewing is Austin’s only all sour-mashed brewery. Those who know a thing or two about Austin beer might immediately think of Jester King, which for a long time has held the market on farmhouse-style sour beers.

Blue Owl brews don’t have the dramatic sour taste you might expect when you think of a tart sour beer. Instead, the one-of-a-kind sour-mash process creates a delicate sour that is gentle enough for anyone who is just trying out sour beers, yet complex enough for the pickiest of craft beer drinkers. [Read more…]