High atop the third floor patio overlooking scenic Lake Travis sits Oasis Texas Brewing Company, an up-and-coming brewery that is right in our own backyard.
In the same space that Billy’s Brew & Que used to smoke up and serve some of the area’s best barbeque, OTBC now seeks to offer some of the best summer beers to Texans.
The name of the game here is session beer, light yet satisfying brews with a lower alcohol content and plenty of room for a dash of creativity in the brewing process. This is where the brewers step in, each offering their own unique set of brewing abilities to bring life to these new lakeside refreshments.
Leading the charge to bring session beers closer to the Lake Travis area is head brewer Spencer Tielkemeier, a UT grad who has a rich brew history with (512) Brewing Company and had been working with Uncle Billy’s Brewing Company in 2012 when he won the Gold Medal for his Bottle Rocket Lager at the famed Great American Beer Festival.
He is joined by fellow brewer, Kirby Kirkconnell, who also has a background at (512) Brewing Company and the U.S. Navy. Together the team craft up the finest in session beers to savor on one of the most picturesque patios on Lake Travis. Whether you are new to session ales or already know your favorite, the brewery is ready to test your taste buds with their versions of the drink.
Light & Drinkable Beers
The pursuit of sharing these session ales with Texans started with a love for the everyday beer. What brewers call session beers some people just call their “go-to beers.” It’s these beers that are served up on the hottest of afternoons, at a summer pool party, or the taps at your favorite bar.
They quench your thirst without leaving you feeling parched from too many hops and malts — and without those all-too-familiar hoppy headaches. The alcohol content is generally a little lower in these brews, resulting in ales and lagers that are in the 4-6% abv range.
At the moment, Oasis is offering three beers on tap, the Slow Ride Pale Ale, Luchesa Lager and London Homesick Ale.
Each brew features a special blend of hops, from Chinook to Cascade, from Czech Saaz to English Challenger, there is a hop in there for every flavor palate. On a hot June afternoon, it’s hard not to want to try all three — which I am starting to see was kind of the point of these session beers all along.
Take the ride up to the third floor to your very own oasis, complete with refreshments, friendly service, a spacious patio and enough shade that you might just want to stay all day. Order up a pint, grab a bowl of chips and salsa and enjoy the gorgeous views from the patio.
Open from Thursday-Sunday, it’s exciting to know that there is a lakeside brew house just around the corner. Stop by the next time you’re in the area and in need of a good brew, a break from the traffic, or just a really idyllic spot to enjoy a cold one with the scenic overlook of Lake Travis.
You might just walk away with a new favorite beer!
Oasis Texas Brewing Company
6550 Comanche Trail Austin, TX 78732 (map)
Taproom Hours:
Thursday 5-10pm
Friday 2-12pm
Saturday noon-12am
Sunday 2-10pm
