Take a drive down scenic Highway 290 in the Hill Country. Forty-five miles west of Austin is the small town of Johnson City. The entire city sits on less than 1.5 square miles of land. In spite of this, the town carries with it a huge legacy; the city is the birthplace of President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
And there are big things brewing in Johnson City these days. Pecan Street Brewing, located in the heart of Johnson City’s town square across the street from the courthouse, is one of the newest business endeavors from Tim and Patti Elliot. The two originally met back in Austin while working at the Armadillo World Headquarters—she worked as a barmaid and he had the job as club handyman.
The famous institution, known for hosting the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bruce Springsteen, the Pointer Sisters and members of the Grateful Dead, was an Austin staple in the burgeoning 1970s music scene. At a time when the music genres of country, urban blues, and jazz coexisted together in the downtown scene, the AWH sought to bring these differing groups together under one roof.
So when Tim and Patti got together to bring their vision of a brewery and eatery, it was natural that they wanted it to have that same “everybody is welcome” type of vibe.
The brewery itself sits in the old Blanco County Supply building, which was a thriving hardware and supply store in the 1950s. It was also a meeting place for all manner of folk, allowing everybody to reconnect and catch up on the talk of the town, chatting over coffee as they shopped.
The same kind of vibe permeates the walls at Pecan Street Brewing today; the town sheriff, high-schoolers, out-of-towners alike all sit down and share a brew and a warm meal side-by-side.
The home cooked meals served up at PSB are hearty and filling, which pair perfectly with a County Jail Pale Ale or the 25 To Life IPA. With meal offerings for lunch and dinner, from brick oven pizzas to burgers, from salads to steaks, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Try one (or two!) of the 8 beers currently on tap as well, you might stop in for the food but stay for the cold brews. When I visited, I took advantage of their beer flights and tried several of their offerings: The Holiday Ale, Ten Penny Nail, Screw Loose Blonde and the Road Devil Red Ale.
While you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out one of the other premier stops along the way—Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. It is here that you will find the boyhood home and birthplace of the nation’s 36th President. His grandparent’s log cabin sits on the land, and is a perfect place to merge your love for the outdoors and American history all in one place.
Pecan Street Brewing:
106 East Pecan Drive
Johnson City, TX 78636
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 am to 9 pm
Wednesday: 11 am to 9 pm
Thursday: 11 am to 9 pm
Friday: 11 am to 10 pm
Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm
