I like to visit local eateries and bars as much as the next Austinite, but what I have really been enjoying lately are all of the open taprooms and breweries that offer tours during the weekends. This past weekend was a perfect time to grab a spot at the bar and see what Thirsty Planet Brewing Company had to offer.
Already an ardent fan of their Thirsty Goat Amber Ale, when I got word of their trio of tours on Saturday, I reserved a few spots on their website and made a hearty breakfast the day of my visit. In my time in the beer world, I’ve learned a thing or two, and having a big breakfast before tour time is one of them.
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon when the guys at Thirsty Planet open their doors and taps to Texans in search of innovative beer creations and a laid-back vibe you can only find near the Hill Country. Down on the Southwest tip of Austin sits this up-and-coming craft brewery, concocting such libations as the Bucket Head IPA, Yellow Armadillo Texas Ale and the Pale Head Pale Ale. There’s a subtle art to brewing that these guys seem to have perfected, and Austin craft beer drinkers are thankful for it. Their beer sales are proof of that.
All of the beer they make they sell in Austin, usually selling out before they have the chance to savor it. They brew several times a week, giving them plenty of room for experimentation and brewing of tasty seasonal beers (think Hatch chile and smoked porters with hints of wood flavors from Franklin Barbeque).
Their brew tours happen three times on Saturday — at noon, 1 and 2 pm. You can reserve spots on the tour online, which they recommend, or take a virtual tour if you just want to get a good look at the facilities from home. Come early to grab a sample or two, and don’t forget to check out their colorful wall of merch and t-shirts for fans who like to bring home a piece of the brewery.
Thirsty Planet Brewing Company (map)
1160 Circle Dr
Austin, TX 78736
Brewery Tours at noon, 1 & 2 pm
