Your guide to Austin area brewery tours and tastings
Brewery tours are an excellent way to learn more about your local craft beer scene, sample exclusive small batch brews, and meet new drinkin’ buddies.
And, for better or worse, thanks to now infamous laws that make it illegal for breweries to sell beer directly to consumers in Texas (hence the “buy a souvenir pint glass, get the beer free” standard) it happens to be a pretty cheap way to drink great craft beer.
Below is our simple, no-frills, all-in-one-place guide to Austin area brewery tours, complete with prices, tasting info and essential facts you need to know about each of these fine local breweries:
Adelberts:
When: Fridays from 4-8pm
How much: $10 for tour, souvenir glass, 3 fills.
The vibe: Industrial/ warehouse vibe with a nice tasting bar.
Austin Beerworks:
When: Fridays from 5-8pm
How much: Three free 4oz samples, or $10 for tour, souvenir glass and 3 pints.
The vibe: Industrial warehouse with bold branded murals, funky art, Foosball table and outdoor picnic table seating.
Additional Information: Tickets go fast and must be reserved ahead of time on Austin Beerwork’s Eventbrite page.
Circle Brewing Company
When: No weekly tours, look out for special events!
Guadalupe Brewing Company
When: New brewery down the road in New Braunfels. Doesn’t offer weekly tours at this time, follow their Facebook page for upcoming events.
Hops & Grain
When: The tasting room is open on Fridays from 2-6pm and Saturdays from noon-4pm. Tours are given Saturdays at 1pm & 3pm.
How much: Free samples, or buy a $10 souvenir pint glass for full pours.
The vibe: Nice, small tasting room with eclectic bar stools, shares a building with a glass blowing studio and a trapeze studio.
Independence Brewing Co.
When: The first Saturday of every month
How much: Three free samples, or buy a souvenir pint glass for 3 full pints. (Various glassware available starting at $6 at past events.)
The vibe: One big parking lot party, bring your lawn chairs and sunscreen.
Additional information: Live music and food trucks on site.
Jester King Craft
When: Saturdays from 1-4pm. Tours at 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30.
How much: $10 for souvenir glassware and tour. Half glass pours of every beer in the taproom. (Usually 5-8 beers)
The vibe: Beautiful farmhouse that may seem more reminiscent of a winery than a brewery. Small, air conditioned tap room, seating is outside at shaded picnic tables.
Additional information: Live music and food from neighbors Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza each week.
Live Oak Brewing Company
When: Live Oak typically holds a couple tours a month, but they have slowed down in the recent summer months. Check out the Tour page of their website for upcoming events.
Real Ale Brewing
When: Fridays from 2-5pm
How much: 5 free sample pours
The Vibe: Much larger setup than your typical Austin craft brewery.
Additional information: Real Ale’s brewing facility is located in Blanco, TX about an hour’s drive from Austin.
Rogness Brewing Company
When: Saturdays from 11am-3pm
How much: $10 for brewery tour, Rogness pint glass and 6 half pour samples.
The vibe: Pflugerville’s first brewery (though just blocks from Austin city limits) large warehouse with a brand new tasting room and beer garden.
Additional information: Tickets can be reserved in advance here. Food truck on site each week. Children, pets and lawn chairs welcome.
South Austin Brewing Co.
When: By appointment Monday-Saturday or on select “Groovy Sundays.” Check out their calendar here.
Additional information: Live music and food trucks on site for Groovy Sunday events.
Thirsty Planet Brewing
When: Saturdays, tours starting at 11am & 1:30pm. Tasting room open throughout.
How much: 3 free samples, or $7 for souvenir glass and 3 full pours.
The vibe: Beautiful, clean tasting room with a great bar and ample seating. Additional seating on the patio.
Additional information: Reserve tickets ahead of time here. Food trucks and live music onsite most Saturdays.
Twisted X Brewing
When: Currently located in Cedar Park, Twisted X is in the process of building a larger facility out in Dripping Springs. Check out their Eventbrite page for tours as they are announced.
512 Brewing Company
When: Beginning November 10, 512 will begin offering tours and tastings every other Saturday.
How much: $10 for brewery tour and 512 pint glass for sampling.
Additional information: Reserve tickets ahead of time here. Designated drivers receive a free (empty) logo pint glass.
*If you’ve been to one of these breweries recently and any of the prices/ policies/ tour times have changed, let us know about it in the comments section!
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I love you lots and lots for this list…thank you!