Mandy Spivey

Real Ale Brewing Company: Some of the Best Craft Beers in Texas

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 25, 2014

Some days you just have to feel so lucky to be living in the Lake Travis area. The Texas Hill Country, which is so close it might as well be considered in your own backyard, is home to some of the newest and also some of the most established beer breweries in the state.

One of the local favorites among these is Real Ale Brewing Company, which is just a short one hour drive to Blanco, out in the beautiful Hill Country. It’s hard to imagine that just 45 miles West of Austin, RABC is making and supplying Texans with some of their favorite beers, such as Fireman’s 4, Lost Gold IPA and Devil’s Backbone.

Take the picturesque drive down Hamilton Pool Rd. and out to 290 West as you venture on your quest for fresh brews and get a taste of the true beauty the Hill Country has to offer. Texas wildflowers bloom roadside as you pass miles of private ranch land on a trip out to RABC.

Krause Springs: One of the Best Swimming Holes in Texas

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 20, 2014

It’s finally Spring in Texas, and as the weather warms up, so will the Lake Travis area swimming holes. It won’t be long before temperatures start to creep into the 80s and 90s, and you’ll be ready to head out to one of the best swimming holes in Texas, Krause Springs in Spicewood.

A short drive out to the Texas Hill Country, it’s just a little over 30 miles West of Austin off Texas Highway 71 West, and well worth a visit. The 115-acre property has been privately owned by the Krause family for over 50 years since its founding in 1958, and serves as a great place to swim, camp and hang out on a muggy Texas afternoon.

Centuries-old bald cypress trees offer plenty of shade to shelter you from even the hottest of July afternoons. There are numerous picnic tables and grills throughout the site, in addition to newly-remodeled indoor bathrooms and shower facilities. If you plan on an overnight stay, there are campgrounds with electric hook ups and space for tents, campers and RVs.

Lake Travis Community Library: Dramatic Still Life Drawings by Janet Sopp-Sims

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 6, 2014

Some artists just have an eye for drawing and illustrating.

To take a mound of colors pencils and turn it into a drawing that appears so lifelike that you might want to take a sip out of the glass is awe inspiring.

Focusing on the drama inherent in everyday life, Lakeway resident and artist Janet Sopp-Sims uses her fine hand skills to recreate the delicate curves and reflections found in our everyday surroundings.

A yellow rose, a tall glass of beer, the shades in the folds of a table cloth from The Hills Country Club — all of these come to life in Sopp-Sims works, which can be found at the Lake Travis Community Library throughout the month of March.

Lake Travis Area Excursion: BBQ Heaven at Smitty's Market in Lockhart

Written by Mandy Spivey | March 4, 2014

Everyone has a favorite barbecue joint. In Austin, I’ve encountered countless heated debates centered on the topic of Austin’s best smoked meats. Living in Central Texas has its fair share of perks, but I would have to include the outstanding history and heritage of the area’s BBQ restaurants to be one of the best.

If you want to talk to a barbecue purist, there are many schools of thought regarding which pits do the best job. People around these parts take their meats seriously, and when you have towns like Lockhart (officially known as the Barbecue Capital of Texas), Taylor, Luling or the tiny town of Lexington, you have your pick of smoky meats to choose from.

Con’ Olio Oils and Vinegars: Taste the Difference

Written by Mandy Spivey | February 25, 2014

The first bite of a cheesy margherita pizza fresh out of the oven. The crisp taste of a cool Greek salad with homemade dressing. The spicy fried goodness of anything cooked in a wok. I savor these food moments in life.

There are certain ingredients that will always make a difference in the taste and quality of a dish, but taking the time to learn about the science of it all can be daunting on its own.

Take a look around your kitchen pantry and check your stock of olive oil.

Do you know where it was grown and harvested?

Can you tell its crush date?

Have you ever tasted its polyphenals or been able to savor its fruity undertones?

I bet you didn’t even know these things mattered when tasting and buying olive oil.

There is a fine art to understanding the vibrant complexities found in a quality olive oil, and Austin area olive aficionados Jeff and Tabatha Conarko are stepping in to help.

Taking the confusion and turning it into a delicious learning experience, the husband and wife duo have just opened their third Con’ Olio store. Visit the Austin stores or their newest Lake Travis area location in Bee Cave at the Shops at the Galleria.

Be prepared to question all you thought you knew about a good Extra Virgin Olive Oil or a Balsamic Vinegar.

Mandy Spivey

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