The TEXAS thread!

[Lutter]

I really hate the TABC sometimes....

http://jesterkingbrewery.com/elements-of-composition-blend-1-release-this-friday

 

[IndianaJones]

500 bottles @ 1pp, I'm guessing it'll be accounted for with the line at opening on Friday

 

[Lutter]

500 bottles @ 1pp, I'm guessing it'll be accounted for with the line at opening on Friday

Ehhhhhh it's also $28/bottle and not Atrial Rubicite. It might stick around until after dark.

 

[THRILLHOUSE1]

I'm a once or twice a year visitor to San Antonio as well (might come down for the Final 4 this year), and typically hit up those same spots Lutter mentioned.

I don't have a lot of food recommendations, so hopefully someone else can chime in there. However, 2M Smokehouse is great if you want some BBQ while in Texas. I also liked the Food Hall that's in the Pearl District. There's a bunch of actual restaurants in the Pearl as well.

 

[Lutter]

Geesh. These guys opened just last year.

Wonder what happened there.

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

Geesh. These guys opened just last year.

Wonder what happened there.

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and suggest it is because their beers are awful?

I went a few weeks after they opened (Feb. 2017 I think) and it was pretty bad even cutting them some slack for being brand new. I have no idea if the beers improved but they had such a terrible concept. A core lineup that was shaky ten years ago and an experimental program that consists of throwing adjuncts in a black IPA.

 

[Lutter]

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and suggest it is because their beers are awful?

I went a few weeks after they opened (Feb. 2017 I think) and it was pretty bad even cutting them some slack for being brand new. I have no idea if the beers improved but they had such a terrible concept. A core lineup that was shaky ten years ago and an experimental program that consists of throwing adjuncts in a black IPA.

I mean, there's plenty of breweries doing that exact same thing in Austin that don't close. The brewery is also in an area that isn't well served by breweries (the only other brewery in Pflugerville is Flying Man, which recently opened).

I actually didn't mind their IPA. It was pretty malty and homebrewish when they first opened, but it got really tasty as they went along (and was $3.00 at the bowling alley my wife and I go to). I also live right nearby and they always SEEMED to have a crowd inside.... that said the place prolly fit 20 people total seated....

 

[THRILLHOUSE1]

I wasn't impressed with Idle Vine's beers and agreed that they tasted "homebrewish". But I am surprised it closed this quickly. Seemed like they had a ton of money behind their operation.

 

[Chadzero1]

Hmm, they were only in year 2 of a 5 year lease. Somebody buy there stuff, for the low cost of $650,000
https://austin.craigslist.org/bfs/d/turn-key-austin-area-brewery/6501149022.html

 

[Lutter]

Hmm, they were only in year 2 of a 5 year lease. Somebody buy there stuff, for the low cost of $650,000
https://austin.craigslist.org/bfs/d/turn-key-austin-area-brewery/6501149022.html

Now's your chance Chad.

Buy! Buy! Buy!

 

[Panda1]

Any San Antonio area folks in here? Headed to the Final Four from March 30-April 3 and was hoping to get some brewery/bar/beer store and restaurant recommendations (TB folks always have the best recs). May also have some time to meet up at some point if anyone is interested in grabbing a beer.

Thanks in advance!

Hopefully some locals will chime in as I'm a once-every-6-months visitor to SA nowadays. Panda ?

Lutter pretty spot on with his recommendations. Personally I prefer Growler Exchange over Big Hops, but I always check the taplists first. Big Hops (on Bitters) is right around the corner from Weathered Souls (also my favorite brewery in town, and if I had to pick one place to go, it would be there), so that is convenient. I'd make a note that if you do freetail, they have 2 locations, the one closest to you is the production brewery/taproom and the one up north from you will be the brewpub and will serve food.

If youre looking for stuff to do near where you are staying, you aren't to far from the pearl and southtown, both of which are easy to loose the day at. I would avoid friendly spot (bar in the area) just because of pricing.

For beer shopping, you want the Spec's (on De Zavala), Alamo City Liquor (on thousand oaks) HEB Central Market (on Broadway) or if you want to drive Eskimo Hut (on Stone Oak).

Let me know if you want to touch tips when you get to town, me and ckowalski are usually drunk and around.

And if you need food recommendations I can help with that.

 

[Chadzero1]

Managed to get a bottle of EoC. Showed up at 5:20 and was about 10 people away from the cutoff.

Anyone had DR18 yet? I had a pour at Billy's on Burnet last night. It started off nice and boozy, but as it warmed up it became an acetaldehyde bomb. Crazy levels of green apple. Reminded me of Silva Stout.

 

[ExPimp]

Anyone had DR18 yet? I had a pour at Billy's on Burnet last night. It started off nice and boozy, but as it warmed up it became an acetaldehyde bomb. Crazy levels of green apple. Reminded me of Silva Stout.

Bought a 6 pack on the way home and it's in the fridge now. Was there another DR in the past that had a lot of acetaldehyde?

 

[boogercrack]

Managed to get a bottle of EoC. Showed up at 5:20 and was about 10 people away from the cutoff.

Anyone had DR18 yet? I had a pour at Billy's on Burnet last night. It started off nice and boozy, but as it warmed up it became an acetaldehyde bomb. Crazy levels of green apple. Reminded me of Silva Stout.

I didn’t get any on the bottle I drank

 

[abawol01]

Hello Texas brethren!

In the year of our Lord, 2018, from May 7th to 9th will we will in the DFW area and then in Austin until the 12th.

I am looking for recommendations of all kinds! Food, beer, **** to do, etc. Obviously we will be going to JK and Live Oak but other than that, we are open save for a Tigers game on Tuesday. Also, let's touch tips!

Thanks for your help Texans!

 

[jrstar96]

Hello Texas brethren!

In the year of our Lord, 2018, from May 7th to 9th will we will in the DFW area and then in Austin until the 12th.

I am looking for recommendations of all kinds! Food, beer, **** to do, etc. Obviously we will be going to JK and Live Oak but other than that, we are open save for a Tigers game on Tuesday. Also, let's touch tips!

Thanks for your help Texans!

pinthouse pizza brewery in Austin. Two locations (different tap list), I prefer the south lamar location but that could change depending on what they release.

Stop in West, Tx on your way form Dallas to Austin, get kolaches and klobanisks (meat kolaches). I gretly prefer Geriks bakery which is close to the highway, but Czech stop is the more popular and more well known (though not as good) stop.

 

[jacobbocce72]

Hello Texas brethren!

In the year of our Lord, 2018, from May 7th to 9th will we will in the DFW area and then in Austin until the 12th.

I am looking for recommendations of all kinds! Food, beer, **** to do, etc. Obviously we will be going to JK and Live Oak but other than that, we are open save for a Tigers game on Tuesday. Also, let's touch tips!

Thanks for your help Texans!

Add Austin Beerworks to your list... that is all.

 

[JGlitz87]

Where in DFW? I will gladly treat to a round at my favorite local brewery in Dallas - Small Brewpub.

If you are in Fort Worth check out Collective.

 

[abawol01]

Where in DFW? I will gladly treat to a round at my favorite local brewery in Dallas - Small Brewpub.

If you are in Fort Worth check out Collective.

Haven't booked a hotel yet but we are arriving at Union Station at around noon. Gotta grab a car at the airport then we are free to move around as needed. I'll hit you up as we get closer.

 

[thejukes]

Hello Texas brethren!

In the year of our Lord, 2018, from May 7th to 9th will we will in the DFW area and then in Austin until the 12th.

I am looking for recommendations of all kinds! Food, beer, **** to do, etc. Obviously we will be going to JK and Live Oak but other than that, we are open save for a Tigers game on Tuesday. Also, let's touch tips!

Thanks for your help Texans!

I’m a broken record, but go to Pieous for pastrami (and pizza) when you go to JK.

Collective Brewing Project and Lonestar Taps & Caps would be on my DFW list.

 

[jmgrub]

Lutter pretty spot on with his recommendations. Personally I prefer Growler Exchange over Big Hops, but I always check the taplists first. Big Hops (on Bitters) is right around the corner from Weathered Souls (also my favorite brewery in town, and if I had to pick one place to go, it would be there), so that is convenient. I'd make a note that if you do freetail, they have 2 locations, the one closest to you is the production brewery/taproom and the one up north from you will be the brewpub and will serve food.

If youre looking for stuff to do near where you are staying, you aren't to far from the pearl and southtown, both of which are easy to loose the day at. I would avoid friendly spot (bar in the area) just because of pricing.

For beer shopping, you want the Spec's (on De Zavala), Alamo City Liquor (on thousand oaks) HEB Central Market (on Broadway) or if you want to drive Eskimo Hut (on Stone Oak).

Let me know if you want to touch tips when you get to town, me and ckowalski are usually drunk and around.

And if you need food recommendations I can help with that.

Thanks dude, that is all extremely helpful info. Would definitely appreciate food recs as well if you don't mind, but certainly no rush.

Would also definitely love to grab a beer if the times work - I will shoot you and ckowalski a PM to try to coordinate something.

 

[air]

Hops and Grain has really stepped up their NEIPA game lately and that's also a worthy stop if looking to try more besides what Pinthouse has. Also heard Live Oak has Keller Gold right now, which is an unfiltered version of Gold on tap at the brewery only. By the way, abawol01, that's right as SXSW interactive/music is starting so stay away from downtown Austin if you value your sanity.

 

[Lutter]

Hops and Grain has really stepped up their NEIPA game lately and that's also a worthy stop if looking to try more besides what Pinthouse has. Also heard Live Oak has Keller Gold right now, which is an unfiltered version of Gold on tap at the brewery only. By the way, abawol01, that's right as SXSW interactive/music is starting so stay away from downtown Austin if you value your sanity.

He said May, not March.

I don't think anyone ever books "accidentally" during SXSW as the $600+ per night at hotels would be the first clue, lol.

 

[Lutter]

https://austin.eater.com/2018/2/28/...y-sour-duck-market-hiring-level-up-atx-closed

— Barton Springs brewery Uncle Billy’s Brewery bought Pedernales Brewing Company. The brewery will brew up Pedernales’ beers in its space within the revitalized Celis Brewery up on Metric Boulevard. This includes Pedernales’ classic beers, the Lobo series, and the Robert Earl Keen ones. Pedernales’ head brewery John West will work at the Celis facility to maintain the beer. Founder Lee Hereford will be involved in the transition, and, in the future, will work on distributor relations.

Hmm.

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

https://austin.eater.com/2018/2/28/...y-sour-duck-market-hiring-level-up-atx-closed



Hmm.

I'm surprised Pedernales sells enough of their beer to consider their brands an asset.

 

[Lutter]

I'm surprised Pedernales sells enough of their beer to consider their brands an asset.

I think they sell a crapload of Lobo in places outside of the big cities in the Hill Country north of Austin/SA. Places like Kerrville, Lukenbach, Fredrichsburg, Llano, Mason... you see it ON DRAFT everywhere. Someone on FB also mentioned that they have distro in Mexico, which I didn't know about.

It sounds like the business was doing fine (and the brands are clearly worth $$$), it was just managed horribly.

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

I think they sell a crapload of Lobo in places outside of the big cities in the Hill Country north of Austin/SA. Places like Kerrville, Lukenbach, Fredrichsburg, Llano, Mason... you see it ON DRAFT everywhere. Someone on FB also mentioned that they have distro in Mexico, which I didn't know about.

It sounds like the business was doing fine (and the brands are clearly worth $$$), it was just managed horribly.

It's been on tap and in grocery stores here in Dallas basically since they opened but they have no marketing presence and I've never seen anybody buy it. Maybe it actually sells in hill country but it's all old as hell up here because nobody wants it.

 

[shelf_turd_ferguson]

Hello Texas brethren!

In the year of our Lord, 2018, from May 7th to 9th will we will in the DFW area and then in Austin until the 12th.

I am looking for recommendations of all kinds! Food, beer, **** to do, etc. Obviously we will be going to JK and Live Oak but other than that, we are open save for a Tigers game on Tuesday. Also, let's touch tips!

Thanks for your help Texans!

Pinthouse Pizza is must hit. Some of the best IPAs made in TX. Porters and stouts are hit or miss. Kettle sours are misses.
Austin Beerworks beer was disappointing to some friends and I who went a few months ago. Cool (busy) place to check when from out of town though. Sputnik and variants of that are maybe their best beer.


My older brother and his wife visited me last month for a few days.
Here's a quick copy pasta of most of our planning document.

Points of Interest
UT Austin tower/campus
Texas State Capitol- DT, south of main UT campus
HOPE Outdoor Gallery (9am-7pm)
The Contemporary Austin ($5)
Cathedral of Junk- south of river, near St. Elmo’s
Blanton Museum of Art- on UT campus (south end)
LBJ Presidential Library- talks about Civil Rights, Vietnam, the Space Race…
Willie Nelson Statue- north side of river?
Zilker Metropolitan park/ botanical garden- south side of river
Mount Bonnell - 15 minutes west of me. Is a ~1.5 hr hike.
360 bridge - Park illegally on the side of the highway at your own risk.

The Domain is kind of like a mini city. It started as a mall, then added apartments, then an expansion with restaurants, stores, hotels, and more apartments. It’s like a mini downtown, and can be kind of nice to walk around in when it’s lit up. The Whole Foods here has ~50 taps and an oyster bar. -Oyster bar is intriguing. Is this the 1st Whole Foods? No, this one opened in 2013. The Whole Foods headquarters is downtown. I don’t know the original Whole Foods address. The oyster bar looks good but it’s not dollar oysters.

Breweries:
Jester King- Sunday (12pm -7pm) Stanley’s pizza next door
Pinthouse Pizza - Sun-Weds(11am-11pm)
Oasis Brewing- Tues-Sun (12pm- 9pm) Food on site
Blue Owl- (Weds 3pm -10pm) Sours - sour mash. Buy a glass (various sizes), get 4 sample pours. -Perhaps a last drink before the airport? Food suggestion nearby? - There are a bunch of food places nearby, parking can be a pain. Mexican and BBQ (likely partially sold out by 2 PM)
Zilker Brewing- (Tues- Thurs 4pm-10pm) Hot Mess Food truck on site (except Tues)
Lazarus Brewing- Sat(10am-12am) Sun(10am-10pm) Mon-Weds(7:30am-11pm) Tacos - haven’t been, tap list not intriguing to me, so check the website- Tacos reportedly good. More malty, sort-of English beers.
Adelbert’s- Sun(1-7pm) Sours/ Rotating Food truck
Live Oak: Sun-Thurs (12pm-9pm) - almost at the airport, possible pre airport stop. Foods? - Black Forest Sausage truck.
St. Elmo: Sun(12-8pm), Tues-Thurs 4-11pm) Food truck. - Beer average,Soursop food truck, supposed to be amazing.
BlackStar Co-op: Sat(11-12am) Tues,Weds,Thurs, Sun(11-11pm) Mon(4-11). Food on site.
Of note is Revolution Spirits, open only on weekends I think and can't sell liquor to-go on Sunday. Do a quick free sample flight when open. Great gin and liqueurs (some aged in JK froot barrels).

Food
BBQ:
Franklin Barbecue- Tues-Sun (11am- until sold out)- Long wait, can BYOB/ bottle share in line, Perhaps not an order of magnitude better than other BBQ spots.
La Barbeque: Weds-Sun (11am-6pm) They moved to be inside a store/bar, so are no longer BYOB. Looks like beer on-site and you can drink in line.
Micklethwait-Tues-Sun(11am-6pm). Closed monday
Terry Black’s- Daily (11am- 9pm) - known for good but not great bbq, and items last longer
Stiles Switch BBQ- Sun-Thurs (11am- 9pm)
What is your favorite BBQ spot? - It was probably LA BBQ when it was BYOB. Kerlin has been going through some pitmaster changes. I haven’t been to Franklin or Micklethwait. Those four are most of the elite places in Austin.

Tacos:
Dos Batos
NoNos tacos- Cash only
Tyson’s Tacos
Veracruz All Natural- Migas taco
Chi’Lantro: Daily (10:30am-10pm). Korean-Mex fusion taco spot. Kimchi Fries.
Torchy’s (local staple, somewhat gringo-fied)
Taco Deli (other local staple)-
Los Amazonas (pretty legit)
El Primo (Legit) - Taco truck on S 1st and Live Oak st?
Food trailer at 51st and airport - hours unknown
Food trailer by 8700 Brodie?

Tex-Mex? (Maudie’s, Trudy’s)- will follow your recommendation on this topic. Is Tex-Mex actually good? Worth a snack or real meal? - It’s good if you’re not looking for Mexican. It relies on more cheese, a hint of smoke, and gringo-fication. It’s probably skippable, and akin to tasty but non-authentic Mexican in MA. -Perhaps a pass. Lauren has heard of Trudy’s from a co-worker. Trudy’s is good Tex-Mex, but the genre is overall skippable. You can get good Tex-Mex in any other large TX city in the future.

Best Burger spot?
Whataburger doesn’t make the best burger, but is a Texas Institution. Probably more interested in places unique to Austin.
HopDoddy ($10)
Top Notch is from Dazed and Confused. -Interesting, seems like a old school local spot
P Terry’s ($4)
Mighty Fine ($7) are the best fast food and casual fast burger places.

OTHER:
people rave about Pieous’ pastrami, and it’s a mile away from JK’s street.-Intrigued
Valentina’s - Tex Mex BBQ and stuff
Batch Kolaches and Craft Beer - Kolaches are a German or Polish thing pretty big around here. This place makes good ones and has beers (and makes some with beer).
TLC for some Gulf Shrimp and sausage boil

Bars:
Draught House: is a classic pub that’s been around for ~45 years.
Craft Pride: on Rainey St has 40+ TX only taps.
Banger’s: on Rainey has 100+ taps, but lots are not interesting, and prices can be high.
Hopfields: has 25+ taps and is sort of Euro-cafe inspired, can be a very good time.
Wright Bros Brew & Brew: if taps are good.
Scholz Garten- oldest bar/business in Austin. German beer garden. Sun(11:30-10pm) Mon-Sat (11am-10pm)

Good spot for a cocktail or bourbon?
Nickel City with great bourbon (often time dark horse), sliders, and the head bartender has a great palate. The Nickel City store picks sold next door are all good, and some have been amazing.
Eberly; Whisler and Old Thousand in East Austin recommended. Half Step, Roosevelt Room, and Driskell bar (Texas-y) too.

Random:
Voodoo Doughnut- open 24 hrs everyday/ cash only. 6th street.
Peter Pan Mini Golf- BYOB, no glass. Cash only ($7 for 18 holes). Open very late.
Best local roast Coffee - Houndstooth, Wild Gift (expensive), Spokesman (younger), Brew & Brew

 

[Steve2]

Pinthouse Pizza is must hit. Some of the best IPAs made in TX. Porters and stouts are hit or miss. Kettle sours are misses.
Austin Beerworks beer was disappointing to some friends and I who went a few months ago. Cool (busy) place to check when from out of town though. Sputnik and variants of that are maybe their best beer.


My older brother and his wife visited me last month for a few days.
Here's a quick copy pasta of most of our planning document.

As always, Nate’s got you covered on a very thorough list. A couple highlights here for me personally of “can’t miss.”

1 Nickel City. Go here. Favorite whiskey bar in town. Their house picks are outstanding.
2. Not on this list: Odd Duck for dinner. Awesome shareable plates.
3. Terry Black’s bbq is the best no line bbq in town. Our crew here will largely agree. mwbbq Touch_My_BrettSacch mgr78704 I forget everyone else’s username.
4. Pinthouse pizza. Don’t bother getting anything other than the IPAs. Get all the IPAs.
5. You could spend a full afternoon just beer bar and brewery hopping on the East Side. Start at Brew & brew, make your way to hops & grain with Lazarus, Blue Own, Zilker brewing all on the way. Make your way back hitting up Nickel City and eat some great sliders & wings.

Cheers! Keep us posted when the dates get closer.

 

[mwbbq]

As always, Nate’s got you covered on a very thorough list. A couple highlights here for me personally of “can’t miss.”

1 Nickel City. Go here. Favorite whiskey bar in town. Their house picks are outstanding.
2. Not on this list: Odd Duck for dinner. Awesome shareable plates.
3. Terry Black’s bbq is the best no line bbq in town. Our crew here will largely agree. mwbbq Touch_My_BrettSacch mgr78704 I forget everyone else’s username.
4. Pinthouse pizza. Don’t bother getting anything other than the IPAs. Get all the IPAs.
5. You could spend a full afternoon just beer bar and brewery hopping on the East Side. Start at Brew & brew, make your way to hops & grain with Lazarus, Blue Own, Zilker brewing all on the way. Make your way back hitting up Nickel City and eat some great sliders & wings.

Cheers! Keep us posted when the dates get closer.

abawol01 Steve shelf_turd_ferguson

My BBQ recommendation is based on how rar the ticks they bring to share.

1. In-distro beers that are bad that I've already tried? They get sent to the Salt Lick for the Driest Brisket In Town™
2. Out of distro beers that are bad? Rudy's (which is really great for a chain and my standard comparison...if it's not worth the waiting in line or extra $ or driving time, it's not worth it)
3. Out of distro beers that are good? La BBQ or Stiles Switch
4. Rar Walez? Franklin, Valentina's, Kerlin