Austin TX - Austin Craft Beer

Austin Texas: American Craft Beer Week 2013 Part Five

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:49:00 -0700

Austin will be awakening from a drunken, craft beer-induced stupor come Monday morning wondering what in the hell just happened. Nightly bacchanals have been thrown across the city as our town's bars all clamored for a finite drinking dollar. We celebrated, as is our custom, on the front porch. Day 5 looks especially promising. Whip In, down on southbound I-35, is tapping a cask of Lupulus, a hoppy Belgian Tripel, from Independence Brewing at 420 pm. The man on the phone wasn't sure if it would be 3-4 dollars. Either way. 1950 Hwy 35 S Grab a six pack of Fireman #4 for $6.99 at E.1st Grocery 1811 E. Cesar Chavez and hit Micklethwait Craft Meats for their 5 month anniversary party 1309 Rosewood Ave Full Texas craft beer coverage http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/Austin-Craft-Beer

Austin Texas: American Craft Beer Week 2013 Part Four

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:41:00 -0700

We've been celebrating Craft Beer Week on the front porch on a nightly basis of late. Electric Wizard good and loud, fresh kettle of chili on the stovetop, plenty Anderson's Coffee to help us power through the malaise. It's been a lot of fun. But, most folks like the camaraderie of drinking in taverns and pubs so we've been hard at work finding the best beer events in Austin every single day.

Austin Texas: American Craft Beer Week 2013 Part Three

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:22:00 -0700

This daily post has involved way more work than we bargained for. Yes, there are a lot of bars in Austin trying to make money off craft beer; trouble is, most of them are cocktail bars that saw a trend and swooped in to see if they could line their coffers off the work of the brewmasters as well as distillers. Tried and true, genuine craft beer bars are scarce as hen's teeth around these parts. With that being said, we did manage to locate a couple good beer parties for y'all. Down at Craft Pride you won't find any booze unless it's in a flask in somebody's hip pocket, but you will find a fresh keg of Austin Beerworks Heisenberg Kristalweizen. Grab a 20oz pint and walk out back and get a plate of Schnitzel off the Bacon food truck parked in the courtyard. 61 Rainey. Meanwhile, all the college kids will be crowding into Hopfields near the UT campus to quaff big glasses of dry hopped Lost Gold IPA from Real Ale. No booze, no rules, run in there and let your devil dogs run free and tell em Scrumptious sent ya! 3110 Guadalupe. Full Texas craft beer coverage http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/Austin-Craft-Beer

Austin Texas: American Craft Beer Week 2013 Part Two

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:33:00 -0700

After an exhaustive morning calling a bunch of "craft beer" bars who were blissfully unaware of any sort of American Craft Beer Week promotion, we finally managed to wrangle a special to help fuel y'alls celebrations. At Dog n Duck Pub, the venerable west Capital drinking institution all Austin craft beer pints range from $3-$3.50 tonight. We're still recuperating from the shell shocking we took at their powerhouse Aussie music night a few years ago when the Saints and HooDoo Gurus levelled the joint, so we'll probably sit this one out. Given the prime hunk of land the bar sits on, we're predicting the bulldozers will be revving up soon enough, so get by while you can. 406 w.17th st. And that's about it. With an imprimatur of only featuring non-liquor serving bars that are featuring Texas-only draft beer that wraps today's edition up. Back with more tomorrow. Full Texas craft beer coverage http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/Austin-Craft-Beer

Austin Texas: American Craft Beer Week 2013 Part One

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:31:00 -0700

It starts today. American Craft Beer Week is going off all over Austin as our town's explosive craft beer scene is celebrated nightly in bars and taverns across town. Watch out for all the drunks on fixies around 2am each night. Really, really missing Lovejoys right now.

Birth Notice: The Rebirth Of Quickie Pickie

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:11:00 -0700

In keeping with the modern state of foodways in East Austin, the renaissance of long running curb store Quickie Pickie will feature local foods in the cafe, local beers on the tap wall and perhaps an aviary off to one side featuring only the finest local chickens? A month or so ago we were motoring toward Rosewood Avenue when we spotted a gang of construction workers descending on the corner of East 11th and Lydia. Always curious, we popped into the old time quick mart to see what was going on with the hubbub.

Beer Party Tonight: Austin Beer Guide Launches Their Spring 2013 Issue At Pinthouse Pizza

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:05:00 -0700

A few months ago we made our way to the Draughthouse in Central Austin for the Austin Beer Guide Winter release party. It was a glorious affair save for the poor beleaguered barkeeps who were in no way prepared for the mammoth crowd. Once the wait for a fresh brew stretched past a half hour we left for greener pastures. We documented the fete here ( http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2013/1/3/Austin-Daily-Photo-Austin-Beer-Guide-Party-At-The-Draught-House )

Rise Of The Bearded One: Jester King's Joshua Cockrell Wins Multiple Awards For Beer Label Design

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:14:00 -0700

My father always chastened people to "never trust a man with a beard," he did so with a wink and a nod as his chest length beard fluttered in the breeze. I've grown out multiple beards in my life, mostly of the Hezekiah variety, where you keep your face baby-bottom smooth, and let the neck fur grow to your waist. It's biblical. Joshua Cockrell, the Aesthetic Czar of Jester King, brought home the bacon at the recent World Beer Championships Packaging Competition. No word on whether he's one of the beardos who compete at the prestigious beard growing competitions that take place around Austin and other, lesser, cities around the USA. Cockrell speaks http://jesterkingbrewery.com/world-beer-championships-packaging-competition-wins

I Cover The War: Food Blogs Worthy of Your Time #12: Austin Beer Guide

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:51:00 -0700

Providing extensive coverage of Austin's full blown gone nuclear craft beer scene is a daunting task but one that Austin Beer Guide tackles with aplomb. They also know how to throw a very fine party as was witnessed by their epic blowout at Draught House a couple months ago.

Craft Beer Party In New Braunfels Texas! Guadalupe Brewing Company Open House

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:04:00 -0700

Time to make plans for a craft beer roadtrip down to New Braunfels Texas. Guadalupe Brewing Company, makers of: Texas Honey Ale Rye IPA Scotch Ale Americano Wheat Ale Texas Honey Sour and Guadalupe IPA

Dust Up! Bitch Beer Takes On South Austin Brewing Company Over Sexy Craft Beer Ad

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:06:00 -0700

Great article this morning on the Bitch Beer site on the intersection of craft beer and sexual imagery in advertising. Author Caroline attended a roller derby event where South Austin Brewing had purchased some ad space in the program and utilized that hoary old cliche of a sexy looking woman to sell their beer. Win.

Field Report: Brew Exchange On West 6th Street

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:10:00 -0700

Brew Exchange could have a great gimmick but in their headlong rush to worship the almighty dollar they missed the mark. As you may know, the business prices their beer according to current demand in the bar. If everybody's drinking Great Divide the value goes up and up. If everybody's ignoring Live Oak, the price inches downward.

Jester King Wins! Rated Top Beer For Mikkeller Beer Geek Rodeo As Well As Top Brewer In Texas

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:16:00 -0700

When we threw our Wild Foods Of Texas Pop Up restaurant party at Tamale House East, Jester King was our beer purveyor. It was a natural fit. After all, the boys down in Southwest Austin are known for being the wildest, most experimental brewery in the state of Texas.

Birth Notice: Infamous Brewing Company

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:10:00 -0700

Infamous Brewing Company has a skeleton website http://www.infamousbrewing.com/ here. They just landed their TABC license so one imagines they'll be up brewing and selling soon. Hope to get more info for y'all soon.

Russian River Brewing Company's Pliny The Younger Featured In Documentary

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:05:00 -0700

Brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River is at the top of the heap of USA's burgeoning craft beer movement. We don't use the appellation master lightly, either. You could read a thousand articles from us on barbecue and never see the word pitmaster...and you could read another thousand before we gave the designation brewmaster to a man who makes beer.

2013 Austin Specialty Beer Festival benefiting Boys & Girl's Club of the Austin Area

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:30:00 -0700

Is it beer festival season already? Apparently. A cursory tour across the internet yields little info on the 2013 Austin Specialty Beer Festival benefiting Boys & Girl's Club of the Austin Area (Sat Feb 23 2013) Even their website offers little in the way of real information. The organizers trumpet the fact they'll have "Lagers, Ales, IPA's, Stouts, Porters, and Hefes" but no mention is made of what brands will be offered. Russian River? Lost Abbey? Blue Moon? Maybe they don't even know.

Austin Texas Craft Beer News: Hops And Grain Edition

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:33:00 -0700

We've got news coming out of the Hops and Grain camp. Via Josh Hare's blog: 2013 is looking like a breakout year for the East 6th Street brewery.

Scrumptious Chef Restaurant Pop Up #7: Meet Our Purveyors Part 2: Jester King Craft Brewery

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:48:00 -0700

When we began developing the theme of our latest Scrumptious Chef pop up restaurant we bandied about a multitude of ideas before settling on The Wild Foods Of Texas. Once we got Broken Arrow Ranch on board we next turned our gaze toward who would be the best fit for our beer purveyor. Enter the wild beer kings of Texas: Jester King Craft Brewery.

Austin Texas Craft Beer Lovers: Raise Your Voices

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:13:00 -0700

We religiously read http://craftbeeraustin.com/ to stay on top of what's happening in Austin's craft beer community. It's a great resource.

Austin Daily Photo: Craft Pride On Rainey Street

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:21:00 -0700

Craft Pride is a brand new bar preparing to open on Rainey Street in downtown Austin. It's on the southern end of the nightlife district due east of the Mexican American Cultural Center. The owners are exhibiting some serious savvy via their resolve to only sell Texas brew. Word has it that there will be 53 taps, all flowing with some of the finest beer in the USA: Texas beer. You've got to have an angle.

Austin Daily Photo: Adelbert's Brewery

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:15:00 -0700

Birth Notice: The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:01:00 -0700

Big news breaking out of South Austin. The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co has secured the location of their brew house; it's to be located at 1305 West Oltorf near the intersection of Lamar Blvd. Here's what's coming: 10 taps, all in-house brewed beers Pizza, thin crust, New York-style

Austin Daily Photo: Austin Beer Guide Party At The Draught House

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:53:00 -0700

We had a great time at Austin Beer Guide's Winter Issue release party a couple week's ago at the Draught House Pub on Medical Parkway. We've long marveled at folks who turn the name of the pub into drought, as in the bone-dry, arid condition of Texas for roughly 9 months out of the year. As we ramped up toward attending, this regional, phonetic corruption repeatedly reared its head.

Austin Beer Guide's Throwing A Beer Party Tonight At The Draught House

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:44:00 -0700

Beer blast at the Draught House tonight: Thursday December 20th 2012 Austin Beer Guide's Winter issue releases tonight at the Draught House. Here's the list of special beers to be drunk for the party.

Austin Daily Photo: Shane Bordeau Of Twisted X Brewing Company

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:45:00 -0700

I had a great conversation with Shane Bordeau at an Austin craft beer summit held earlier this year at Red's Porch in South Austin. Bordeau had put his money where his mouth is by investing 200k of his own money (along with Jim Sampson) to launch Twisted X Brewing Company out in Cedar Park back in 2009. Austin beer lovers landed on the brewery's Tex Mex beer concept hard and the company became a big success.

Comprehensive List Of Austin Texas-Based Micro-Breweries

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:20:00 -0700

I get asked for this a lot. With Austin in a full-fledged craft beer renaissance, we're seeing a level of interest unmatched in 20+ years of drinking local brew in town. With new breweries popping up, seemingly on a weekly basis, it's high time to publish a (hopefully) comprehensive list of Austin brew houses (breweries and brew pubs.) Austin's not alone in seeing this revival. Asheville, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Birmingham, Alabama and plenty other towns are experiencing a sort of Prague Spring of craft beer right now.

Attention Austin Craft Beer Aficionados: Beer School At Black Star Co-Op

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:33:00 -0700

Black Star Co-Op is hosting a 101 level beer class for home brewers and folks who just want to improve their beer knowledge. Learn the building blocks of beer as the brewer shows the class raw ingredients and explains the basics of making delicious craft brew. There is also a tasting so by the end of class when you're slobbering all over yourself you'll get to sample some micro-brew. Class is December 8th from 1pm-4pm and is held at Black Star. Tickets are $35 with proceeds being donated to Texas Craft Brewers Guild. Hot link http://www.blackstar.coop/blogs/workers-assembly/brew-blog/brewing-and-flavor-analysis-101/ We're on Twitter https://twitter.com/RLReevesJr

Birth Notice: Hi Hat Public House

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:11:00 -0700

Austin musician Steve Schrader's going into the pub business. He's set to open Hi Hat Public House in the former Braise on East 6th street. Expect a wall filled with two dozen taps of hi-grade craft beer and a kitchen putting out careful takes on classic pub cuisine. East Austin's hungry right now. While the neighborhood is well served with long time classic restaurants like Joe's and Dario's, til now there hasn't been a place that is mining the same territory as a Hopfield's or Drink.Well. We expect land office business to descend upon Hi Hat Public House when Schrader flings the doors open in the next week or two. Welcome to the neighborhood. all birth notices of Austin bars and restaurants http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/Birth-Notice website of the establishment http://www.hihatpublichouse.com/ We're on Twitter https://twitter.com/RLReevesJr

Show And Prove: Texas Beers Bring Home The Hardware At Great American Beer Fest

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:31:00 -0700

We're in the middle of a full fledged Texas craft beer renaissance. It's hard to believe that it's been twenty years since Pierre Celis set up shop in Austin and ignited an interest in fine beer that's still spreading like wildfire across the region. Central Texas is now home to a dazzling array of breweries putting out some of the best beer in the entire USA. Real Ale, Live Oak and 512 Brewing could set up shop in Oregon, Colorado or Pennsylvania and earn a good living.

2012 Texas Craft Brewers Festival: Austin, Texas Fiesta Gardens Saturday October 6th 2012

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:14:00 -0700

We attended a media party for the Texas Craft Brewers Festival a couple weeks ago at Red's Porch down in South Austin. It was a fruitful gathering of drunks, beer lovers, beer bitches, beer journalists, craft brewers and the occasional outsider who managed to get past security into our cordoned off wonderland of free beer and bar snacks.

Austin Daily Photo: Caroline And Shaun Of Bitch Beer

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:31:00 -0700

Met these 2 charming ladies, self-proclaimed founding bitches of the all-female squad over at http://bitchbeer.org/ at Red's Porch a couple nights ago. We were there for a media party for The Texas Craft Brewers Festival that's taking over Fiesta Gardens on October 6th 2012. We had ourselves a time drinking micro brew from Real Ale and chatting with a horde of local beer hounds. Their website is a treasure trove of craft beer news and information with a decided Central Texas slant. If you love beer and reading about Austin's exploding microbrewery scene then head over to their website and check these ladies out.

Breaking News! Austin Texas Independence Brewing Co. Welcomes Todd Henry Of Lovejoys Aboard

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:42:00 -0700

One of Austin's top young gun brewers Todd Henry,formerly of Lovejoy's, is now at Independence Brewing Company. Huge score for Independence as Mr. Henry is revered for his outrageously delicious beers. Can't wait to see Brown Chicken Brown Cow available by the bottle in local grocery stores. story: http://www.independencebrewing.com/fairwell-lovejoys-welcome-aboard-todd-henry/ Lovejoy's coverage http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/search.cfm?search=lovejoy%27s

Birth Notice: Stein And Stem Prepares To Open In Former European Bistro

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 22:41:00 -0700

Two weeks ago we penned an obituary for European Bistro, the erratic, charming cafe in Pflugerville that enjoyed a decade-plus run til one of the owners decided to move back to Hungary. The report: http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2012/8/5/RIP-Rest-In-Peace-European-Bistro The space won't be vacant long.

Real Ale Beer Dinner At Easy Tiger

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:16:00 -0700

Tomorrow night, Tuesday July 24th from 6-10 pm, Easy Tiger Beer Garden will host a 6 course dinner with each course paired with an offering from Real Ale of Blanco, Texas. Cost is $55 and reservations are required. 512-614-4972

As Steve Anderson's Reign At Live Oak Brewing Comes To A Close It's 15th Anniversary Time

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:13:00 -0700

The good folks at Beer Town Austin [http://www.beertownaustin.com/] are tweeting that this Saturday April 14th 2012 Live Oak Brewing Company will be celebrating 15 years of operation by throwing an anniversary party. Celebrants will begin guzzling beer at noon and if you want to get the kids out of the house you're welcome to bring them. Dogs on the other hand are not welcome so leave ol Scrap Iron chained up to that AMC Javelin axle you got out back. Sounds like a bitter sweet affair as local icon Steve Anderson is taking leave of his duties as brew master in May. He'll be relocating to Alpine, Texas to oversee a big new brewery that's in preparation stage now but should see beer flowing fairly soon. Watch for Big Bend Brewing in the future as Mr Anderson has put some of the finest beer we've ever drunk in bars around Austin for over a decade. previous Live Oak Brewing coverage http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2012/1/12/BREAKING-NEWSLive-Oak-Brewing-Company-Austin-Texas-Premiere-Craft-Beer-Maker-Is-Hiring-Head-Brewer

Fallout From Disastrous Austin Beer Fest: Central Texas Beer Festival Cancelled

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:02:00 -0700

Fallout from this past weekend's utter disaster of an event; Austin Beer Fest [http://www.scrumptiouschef.com/food/index.cfm/2012/4/3/Dear-Austin-Beer-Fest-Organizers-Your-Facebook-Apology-Doesnt-Cut-It-Now-Were-Getting-A-Rope] commences now. The Central Texas Beer Festival that was to be held at Austin Music Hall on April 21st has been called off.

Dear Austin Beer Fest Organizers: Your Facebook "Apology" Doesn't Cut It. Now We're Getting A Rope

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:57:00 -0700

Our minds are blown. Below is a Facebook apology from the organizers of the disastrous Austin Beer Fest at Travis County Expo Center. We've never seen or heard of such duplicity in our life. It's shameful. If these people ever show their face in Austin again we're afraid we'll have but one option: GET THE ROPE. We're not on Facebook so we would like to thank the person who pasted this and emailed it to us. Prepare to be shocked.

Dexter Bayack & Brent Villareal? What Went Wrong At Austin Beer Fest At Travis County Expo Center?

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:47:00 -0700

We never have a good time at these things. The $35 entrance fee is invariably better spent buying $35 worth of Lagunitas at East End Wines then sprawling out in the backyard near a smoker filled with ribs and brisket. We learned our lesson the hard way years back when Mexic Arte threw a Celebrate The Foods Of Mexico party that was so poorly run we considered executing a Tiger Driver on the president of the organization.

Food And Beer Party!North Coast Brewing And Top Chef Texas Contestant Andrew Curren Of 24 Diner

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:54:00 -0700

Food and beer party!

Austin Texas Has A Brand New Craft Beer Brewery: South Austin Brewing Co. Opens For Business

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:12:00 -0700

Former Balcones brewer Jordan Weeks has set a date for his South Austin Brewing Co. grand opening party. It will be Saturday February 11th from 2-7 pm Weeks is specializing in Belgian-style ales so the party should be good and boozy with plentiful high abv style brews. Interview with the brew maker http://localsavour.com/2010/12/an-interview-with-brew-master-weeks/ and more on Weeks http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bws/entries/2010/02/11/still_another_austin_brewery_s.html http://texpatriate.wordpress.com/ South Austin Brewing: 512-762-6102.

BREAKING NEWS:Live Oak Brewing Company, Austin Texas Premiere Craft Beer Maker Is Hiring Head Brewer

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:55:00 -0700

Sometimes the news hits like a ton. We've known that Live Oak Brewing Company has had long range plans on expansion for some time. They purchased a large piece of property near the Austin Bergstrom International Airport some time ago for a new facility and we're waiting for the day when they move in so we can keep bottles of Live Oak Pilz in the fridge at all times. But there's a larger question. Whither goest Steve Anderson, current head brewer at Live Oak Brewing? The man is a legend in Austin and we hate to see one of the founding fathers of craft beer in Central Texas walk away from the game at the height of his career. Perhaps the new facility will be so large and highly productive that an additional brewer will be needed? We don't know. For now, if you're a hot shot local brewer, you may be interested in applying for this position. For our money we'd love to see Todd Henry over at Lovejoys get the call up to the big leagues. His beer is superb. We've predicted big things for this young brewer for years and now could be the time for him to step into the spotlight and produce on the big stage. We'll be updating this as the evening progresses. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Update: Steve Anderson is moving to Alpine to be the head brewer at Big Bend Brewing.

Birth Notice:Austin Texas Craft Brewery Adelbert's Rolls Out Initial Bottling

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:00:00 -0700

After a long run up, Adelbert's Brewery has beer for purchase now available in Austin Texas. With the craft beer renaissance in full flower in central Texas you have to have a signature niche to get your product in the mouths of Austin drinkers and these guys have come up with a good one.

Austin Craft Beer Brewer Jester King Wins Battle vs TABC. War Rages On. Devil In The Details

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:37:00 -0700

We'll be updating this later as information becomes more clear but Jester King has won at least a partial victory against TABC in their much discussed lawsuit. This we do know. Jester King and Zax Pub emerged victorious in their claims that their freedom of speech was being violated by TABC's arcane laws. This should lead to broader ability to accurately label lagers and ales without having to follow guidelines that were written by people who'd apparently never drank a beer. Only in Texas are the lines between lagers, ales and malt liquors drawn so inanely. This should soon change. Other arguments in their lawsuit fell on deaf ears and we'll note those failures later today. Information is scant right now but today marks a new dawn in Texas beer as TABC is in retreat on several fronts. Can an abolition of this superfluous, outdated agency be far behind? The Sunset Advisory Commission will have the final say.

Today Is The Day: Real Ale Coffee Porter Goes Live In Austin Texas

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:52:00 -0700

One of our favorite seasonal brews just released in Austin today. Real Ale Coffee Porter is all roasted malts, chocolate notes and plentiful coffee flavor. We absolutely love this beer. We do wish it had a little more of a bread thing going on but we're not going to let that dissuade us from pounding a few gallons of it while it's available.

Austin Daily Photo: Real Ale Monday October 10th 2011

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:17:00 -0700

It's an embarrassment of riches in Austin beer culture these days what with new breweries flowering in every neighborhood in Austin. We expect AISD to start a Li'l Brewers curriculum at Austin area middle schools any day now.

The Rise Of Texas Craft Beer: Austin Beerworks, Humperdink's, Uncle Billy's,NXNW At GABF In Colorado

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:07:00 -0700

Texas breweries acquitted themselves admirably at the Great American Beer Fest this weekend in Colorado.

Texas Craft Brewers Association Party At Fiesta Gardens Saturday September 24th 2011

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:22:00 -0700

We never have a good time at these things. They're invariably outside, the lines to get a swallow or two of beer are long, people feel duty bound to bring their children, the food is subpar....we could go on and on but suffice to say we're not chuffed at the prospects.

Drinking The Devil’s Backbone At Four Season’s Real Ale Party

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:07:00 -0700

While we spend the vast majority of our beer drinking money at an array of local dive bars, every so often it's nice to get down with the Duesenberg set and lounge back at the Four Seasons on San Jacinto in downtown Austin. The women folk are all toddling about in stiletto heels drinking booze from nice stemware while the men are nattily attired in their summer-y Brooks Brothers best. We look like a couple roadies from Tommy X. Hancock's Supernatural Family Band but nobody seems to care that much. As long as the money's green everybody's going to get along just fine.

Breaking News: Real Ale Tasting At Austin Texas Four Seasons Tonight August 15th 5-7pm

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:42:00 -0700

Ever so often we get out our better cowboy hat and ride down to the Four Seasons on San Jacinto to party with the swells. This is when we're on our best behavior so as not to attract too much attention from the brutal security forces the hotel reportedly employs.

[512] Brewing Company Pecan Porter Chocolate Brownies

Thu, 05 May 2011 18:31:00 -0700

Standing in a dark, smoky Lovejoys Taproom a couple years ago I spot a tap handle from a new brewery here in Austin: Pecan Porter from local brewhouse 512. Any time a new brew arrives it's always a good idea to knock back a beer shot with the staff which is of course what we do, which in turn sets me to thinking. This is undoubtedly a good drinking beer but what would it be like as a baking agent? That's when it really comes to life. The complexities of this porter are intensified through the baking process. The inherent pecan flavors marry nicely with the chocolate and the espresso making a very fine brownie. After a few test runs this is the recipe I developed.