Beer

Solid Rock Brewing: Easing Texans Into Craft Beer

Written by Mandy Spivey | May 20, 2014

It’s 10:52am in Spicewood, Texas.

Curt Webber, one of the trio of founders of Solid Rock Brewing and resident brewer is busy stirring the hot liquids inside of an imposing mash tun, while his partners-in-beer bustle about, all working on their respective steps in the process.

I find a dry spot among the loft where Stephen “Beaker” McCarthy is hard at work with the grains, an indispensable step in the magic that is beer creation.

Tuesday is Brew Day at Solid Rock Brewing and even though the men haven’t stopped for lunch yet, the building smells of rich malts and all manner of beer goodness. Swiftly and with purpose the three brew artists work to concoct another large batch of their tasty beers. Steve “Jonesy” Jones is cleaning and preparing the various stages of the day’s production.

If there was ever a time to throw yourself into the craft beer scene — this is it.

Jester King Brewery: The Farmhouse Style of Brewing Beer

Written by Mandy Spivey | April 8, 2014

In the past five years in Central Texas, the craft beer scene has experienced unexpected growth in a number of ways. More than a dozen breweries have opened within a short driving distance of Lake Travis, giving you a reason to take a picturesque day trip out to the hills.

And with the new change in state law in 2013, breweries are now able to file for the proper permits and licenses to become a brewpub, which essentially allows them to sell their creative concoctions directly to you to consume on site and to take home. This is good news for many breweries that already hosted tasting rooms and tours.

Just on the edge of Hays County, on a small section of unincorporated farmland in Austin sits Jester King Brewery. Brewing out of an old machine shop that was transported to the 220-acre farm that it sits on today, and sharing five of those acres with neighbor Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza, is one of Texas’ most creative artisanal brewpubs in the state.

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.

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