Austin's craft brewing scene has been booming, so you'd be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed by all of our fermented offerings. Whether you're in the mood for a Mexican-style lager to compliment your tour of Austin tacos and queso, looking to expand your palate with a sour-mashed saison or trying to keep cool with a refreshing IPA on a hot summer's day, we have you covered. Here is your guide to Austin craft breweries.

people dining with pizza and beer at large tableABGB. Courtesy of Jody Horton Photography.

ICONIC AUSTIN BREWERIES

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (ABGB)
Affectionately dubbed the ABGB, this is the place to experience the always-happening craft brewing scene. Hang in the warehouse-like beer garden and sample house microbrews from lagers to special fruited sours. Pair pints with pizza or sandwiches like the stacked muffuletta or reuben with a fried egg. Catch live music almost every night and check their calendar for monthly scheduled brewery tours.

Austin Beerworks
Stop in to this North Austin warehouse and taproom for a beer with the brewers. Austin Beerworks is a true staple of the Austin brewing scene and their weekend tasting hours feel more like a backyard barbecue than a bar. Bring the pets or the kiddos and enjoy live music and  bites from local food trucks, along with their four core beers, seasonal rotators and exclusive brews on draught.

Independence Brewing
Amy and Rob Cartwright started Independence in 2004 as a way to share their love of beer and self-expression with other Texans. Stop by their taproom for local favorites like their Native Texan pilsner or Stash IPA. We can almost guarantee you'll be looking for this beer when you return home—their brews are great, and their cans have cool designs with special nods to the brewery's home base.

Photo of a tall glass of pale beer on a patio table at Zilker Brewing Company. There is a sun shade above and misting fans in the backgroundZilker Brewing Co. Credit Eva Vaughn, Zilker Brewing Co.

Live Oak Brewing Company
Spend a warm spring afternoon on the patio at Live Oak's new taproom in Del Valle. The biergarten is open every day of the week and hosts family friendly events, special cask tappings, trivia nights and more. 

Pinthouse Brewing
Local Southeast Austin hotspot Pinthouse Brewing was founded by friends who shared a passion for craft beer and yummy food. Stop in at their brewery location, or one of the many Pinthouse Pizzas in town for killer pizza and award-winning beer. You can't go wrong with any of their brews, but it's worth trying the local favorite—the Electric Jellyfish IPA. This new school hazy IPA is altogether juicy, hoppy, balanced and refreshing.

Zilker Brewing Company
East Austin is home to a booming craft beer scene, complete with relaxed patios and plenty of tasty food within walking distance. Grab a pint or two while you watch the world go by in Zilker's cozy taproom or outdoor patio space. They also host tons of fun events, from beer pairings to yoga + beer sessions.

Aerial view of patrons enjoying the courtyard and live music at Meanwhile BrewingCourtesy of Meanwhile Brewing.

NEW BREWERIES IN AUSTIN

Hold Out Brewing
You don’t need to leave city limits for tasty craft beer and a killer burger. Hold Out Brewing is the brewery from the folks behind Austin favorites, Better Half (located next door), Wright Brother’s Brew & Brew and Little Brother Bar. Try a crisp pale ale or fall-friendly dry-hopped porter.

Last Stand
While Last Stand isn't totally new to the Central Texas brewing scene (they've been brewing at their Hill Country location since 2015), their new location on South Congress Avenue in late 2020. Grab a flight of four of their beers for $10 and munch on full menu curated by local favorite Southside Flying Pizza.

Meanwhile Brewing
Meanwhile is more than just a brewery. This 3.7 acre hang out located in Southeast Austin features a taproom, beer garden, food trucks, turf soccer field, playground and live music stage. Listen to live music almost any day of the week and sip on your drink of choice, from coffee and espresso drinks, wine, cider, cocktails or a number of their rotating beers.

Aerial view of Vista Brewing taproom, brewery and beer garden with rolling hills and lush green trees.Courtesy of Vista Brewing.

BREWERIES WORTH A DAY TRIP

Family Business Beer Company
This family-owned brewery sits on a picturesque 15 acres just outside Austin in Dripping Springs. Relax in the Hill Country and enjoy a wide variety of hand-crafted beers. The taproom is kid friendly and their events calendar is filled with live music and events that the whole family can enjoy.

Jester King Brewery
Take 290 west towards the Hill Country for fresh air, tasty pizza, rolling hills, and some of the best beer in the region. Jester King is one of the most unique brewers in town, specializing in spontaneously fermented farmhouse ales in a beautiful farmhouse setting. Spend an afternoon at this scenic beer lover's paradise and take a tour of the unique Hill Country facility.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company
Make the drive out to Lake Travis for a sunset you won't forget. Cozy up on the rooftop patio and watch the sun go down while sipping on the London Homesick Ale - winner of the Great American Beer Festival's gold medal in the Ordinary or Special Bitter category.

Open courtyard with people sitting at shaded picnic tables, surrounded by green oak trees.Courtesy of Jester King Brewery.

Strange Land Brewery
Head west towards Bee Cave to visit Strange Land Brewery, home to handcrafted quality beers with traditional brewing philosophies and distinct ingredients. Fans of European style beers will enjoy both the flagship beers as well as the noteworthy, handcrafted small batch reserves. Visit the tap room on Friday and Saturday evenings, then head over to Hat Creek Burgers of County Line on the Hill to get your fill.

Twisted X Brewing
​Head to Dripping Springs, home to a burgeoning craft beverage scene, for Mexican-style craft beers at Twisted X. Sample specialty brews, take a tour and try a flight of the established standards at the tasting room, open Thursday through Sunday.

Vista Brewing
Vista is a destination brewery located just outside of Austin at the gateway to the Central Texas Wine Trail in Driftwood. Their approach to beer and food is what they call "hyper-local", capturing the beauty and flavors of the Texas Hill Country. Hang out in their indoor taproom, or grab a spot at a picnic table or firepit while live music plays in their expansive beer garden and ranch.