16 Best Breweries in Austin (And Nearby!)

You’ve heard enough about Zilker Park, the Capitol building, and West 6th Street. This blog is diving into the real points of interest–the breweries in Austin, Texas that have earned a landmark status of their own.

We’re helping you narrow it down to the ones most worthy of a visit. These Austin breweries have it all–crazy flavors, gorgeous interiors, buzzy crowds, and hearty dishes to pair your drinks with.

As a booming college town, major foodie scene, and the live music capital of the world, it’s no surprise that this Southern city is also home to some of the best beers in the United States.

After all, how better to fuel all that liveliness than with a delicious brew? Austin craft beer scene won’t disappoint you!

Hey you! You can visit a few of these breweries in a 4-hour guided tour! This tour includes a professional guide and beer tastings at Southern Heights, Independence, Zilker, and Nomadic Beerwords. Click here to check availability!

16 Best Breweries in Austin, Texas

So grab your glass and a group of friends and get ready for a beer tour across all of the premier breweries in Austin, Texas. We hope you’re feeling thirsty!

Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company

Ah, the storied ABGB. This Austin powerhouse operates under the slogan “Beer makes it better,” and with their offerings of inclusive gathering areas and community initiatives focused on giving back, it certainly seems to be holding true.

Not only do you get to enjoy prime craft beer, but you also get to feel good doing it.

The ABGB’s Hell Yes Project commits 10% of yearly profits to local organizations like the Central Texas Food Bank and Austin’s Habitat for Humanity.

Visit on a Wednesday for live music and dancing (plus great drink deals), and don’t forget to try crowd favorites like the hoppy, citrus-powered Superliner and the award-winning Hell Yes, a subtle, elegant Bavarian-style lager. Oh, and the outdoor patio is dog-friendly!

As the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Great American Beer Festival Brewpub Of The Year, it’s safe to say that this is an unskippable stop on your Austin beer tour.

Austin Beerworks

For a well-rounded beer experience, look no further than Austin Beerworks, one of the best breweries in Texas. Tours, tastings, food trucks, and daily deals are all on the schedule here.

They offer an always exciting menu of core beers, rotating seasonal specials, and exclusive features, which often come with fun tasting notes like oatmeal or chili and chocolate.

You can’t go wrong with the Amber Vision, a clean and classic amber ale or the Fire Eagle, an award-winning, punch-packing, all-American IPA.

Pair your beer with a meal from their resident food truck, Can-Tina, which serves up fresh and local Tex Mex, tacos, and burgers.

Jester King Brewery

Leave the city behind and retreat to the sprawling vistas of Texas Hill Country, where you can sip brews on a 200-acre ranch while enjoying outdoor games, nature trails, picnic tables, and a goat barn (you can even pet and feed them for a $10 ticket).

The gorgeous landscape makes this spot feel more like a winery, but beer is Jester King’s sweet spot.

Among the top picks are a hoppy ale called El Cedro and Colour Five, a barrel-aged wild ale that draws on the poppy flavor of Texas-grown blueberries.

One of Jester King‘s newer offerings has already become a fan (and staff) favorite–the EEZY PEEL, a farmhouse ale refermented with mangos.

Meanwhile Brewing Company

Traveling with family or a large friend group? Meanwhile Brewing has enough space to accommodate them all and then some.

On their 3.7-acre property in South Austin, you’ll find not only a taproom and beer garden, but also a soccer field, children’s playground, and live music stage with performances almost every night of the week.

Try the highly-recommended Tender Robot, an island-inspired brew full of tropical fruit flavors like guava, mango, pineapple, and lime zest.

Or opt for Secret Beach, a San Diego-style IPA with notes of marmalade, blueberries, and the devil’s lettuce.

They also serve wine, cider, cocktails, and coffee and keep 4 food trucks (Mexican, African American BBQ, pizza, and fresh ice cream) on hand to keep customers full and happy.

Southern Heights Brewing Company

An artsy and colorful taproom collides with a menu full of flavorful IPAs to create this Austin hotspot.

Southern Heights has a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, dog-friendly and family-friendly, with outdoor seating, bike parking, and free wifi.

Reviewers recommend the tasty and tropical Tahitian Dreamin’, a fresh, raspberry-flavored glass of Jam Session, or Where’s My Flannel, a light and easy bitter that will have you wanting seconds.

In between sips, play ping-pong and cornhole or grab some Southern comfort food from the onsite food truck.

Pssst: Visit this and other Austin breweries with this 4-hour guided tour!

Oskar Blues Brewing Co.

No list of breweries in Austin, Texas would be complete without a mention of this major player.

Oskar Blues Brewing Co. has enjoyed some serious success, with locations across the United States, from Colorado to North Carolina.

But true to the lively city it calls home, the Austin fixture stands out. Funky and industrial, it straddles the line between taproom and music venue, featuring live performances and large crowds on weekends.

Even when there aren’t bands playing, you’ll find plenty of entertainment with pinball machines, yard games, and outdoor hammocks to enjoy the Texas weather.

Their biggest claim to fame, however, is the legendary Dale’s Pale Ale, “America’s first-craft-canned mountain pale that changed the way craft beer fiends perceive portable beer.”

Circle Brewing Company

Tired of out-there flavors and tricked-out brews? Circle Brewing Company takes it back to the basics, with an emphasis on pure, clean beer made only from water, malt, hops, and yeast–no chemicals or additives required.

They have a number of award winners on draft, like their crisp, malty Alibi Blonde, the historical IPA Archetype, and a German-style wheat ale called Doppel Blur.

Even the food has garnered its fair share of accolades! Their onsite food truck, Huckleberry, serves Gulf Coast seafood Wednesday-Sunday and was named Austin Monthly’s 2021 “Best New Restaurant.”

Zilker Brewing Company

Sharing a name with Austin’s iconic park, Zilker Brewing Company emphasizes community, outdoor space, and a good time for all. And as if that weren’t enough, it’s also one of the go-to places for Austin craft beer.

Family-sized tables make it easy for large groups to gather, while a hardy lineup of beloved brews provides plenty to talk about.

Go for the balanced, bready Marco IPA and enjoy its bursts of citrus and pine, or order a creamy, robust Coffee Milk Stout, made with ingredients from local roasters.

For those seeking a food pairing, Zilker Brewing Co.’s food truck partner, Spicy Boys, dishes up fried chicken that receives almost as many rave reviews as the beer (some guests claim it’s the best they’ve ever had).

Pssst: Visit this and other Austin breweries with this 4-hour guided tour!

Central District Brewing

As its name suggests, Central District Brewing claims prime Austin real estate, set on a bustling street alongside popular shops, bars, and restaurants.

The taproom is modern, cozy, and chic, with lots of seating and plants hanging alongside the light fixtures.

If you aren’t sure what to order, don’t hesitate to speak to the staff, as they’re super welcoming and skilled at finding your perfect brew.

As for our recommendation, we have to highlight the Wit-tington, an award-winning ale with notes of ginger, citrus, and spice, and the Short Stout, a roasty stout that blends coffee, chocolate, and caramel.

Can’t choose just one? Go with a tasting flight, which features four 5-ounce pours.

Adelbert’s Brewery

Opened in 2011, Adelbert’s Brewery was an early arrival in what would develop into Austin’s Brewery District, and quickly earned a stellar reputation for their hand-crafted Belgian-style ales.

Most of their raw ingredients are sourced straight from Europe and they draw on centuries-old traditions while still adding their own creative, modern twists.

Among their popular core beers are the Naked Nun, a well-balanced (and award-winning) ale with hints of orange peel, coriander, clove, and apple as well as the Tripel B, which brings together fruity and spicy flavors for an altogether elegant malt profile.

For entertainment between beers, check out their arcade machines, video games, darts, giant Jenga, ping pong, and foosball table.

Independence Brewing Co.

Open since 2004, Independence Brewing Co. has some of the deepest local roots of all the breweries in Austin, Texas.

Despite its name, Independence Brewing Co. is a great place to mix and mingle with locals and visitors alike, as it draws large crowds and provides picnic table seating to encourage the blending of groups. There are plenty of board games to get started on some fun!

Try a tasting flight to find your favorite of their brews, or jump right into a full glass. We hear the Austin Amber is an excellent year-round brew in their core lineup.

Also, the Stash IPA is particularly worth ordering. As they describe it, it’s “a kaleidoscopic array of six hop profiles: citrusy and floral, earthy and dank, and piney and resinous.”

Pssst: Visit this and other Austin breweries with this 4-hour guided tour!

Celis Brewery

Built upon a family legacy and still staying true to its Belgian roots, Celis Brewery is a landmark destination when it comes to breweries in Austin, Texas.

Skip the plethora of typical industrial buildings and step into the past with an Old World-inspired tasting room centered around a gorgeous copper kettle. It’s located in North Austin.

Their more recently-opened beer garden takes on a modern twist, with string lights, food trucks, a spacious garden area, and a concert stage.

The number one menu must-try is the original witbier that Pierre Celis brewed in Hoegaarden, Belgium–an “easy-drinking session beer laced with flavors of orange peel, spice, and coriander.”

Blue Owl Brewing Company

Blue Owl Brewing in East Austin is on a mission to “make sour beers approachable yet still unique,” handcrafting an excellent series of sours that are just as at home at a dinner party as they are at a laidback get-together.

Want to see their process for yourself? Self-guided tours run anytime during business hours. You get up to 4 pours of any beer, and a branded glass to take home.

The full brewery tour includes the same, as well as a peek “behind-the-tanks,” fun games, and the chance to try some unreleased sours!

If you’re new to sours, they recommend starting with the Little Boss, a refreshing wheat beer whose sourness isn’t overpowering.

Sour connoisseurs, on the other hand, can skip straight to the Van Dayum!, a dry-hopped red ale that really packs a punch.

Pinthouse Brewing

What better pairing than beer and pizza? Pinthouse (former Pinthouse Pizza) brings the two together in the best way possible, serving up elaborate pies and house-brewed drinks that go hand in hand.

Their specialty is hops–and they have the accolades to prove it.

Pinthouse’s most popular offering is the Electric Jellyfish, a tropical brew with fruity and floral notes, followed closely by the Bearded Seal, a Dry Irish Stout with aromas of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. (Both have won awards)!

Between glasses, order one of their specialty pizzas, which range in flavor from a classic cheese to the Cannonball, a meat-lovers dream made with pepperoni, sausage, and two types of bacon.

The space is warm, inviting, and social, making it easy to settle in and stay awhile.

Hopsquad Brewing Co.

Bright, airy, and colorful, Hopsquad almost looks more like a coworking space than a brewery. Until you see the production tanks peeking over the back wall, that is.

Their motto of “Anything goes” has resulted in a diverse array of beers, each more delicious than the last.

Crowd favorites include Lord Zanate, a West Coast IPA with notes of pine and Pennybacker, a delicious hazy IPA that mixes coconut, pineapple, and mango.

Prefer your beer drinking to be a full-fledged experience? Join for one of their lively (and often free!) events, like yoga, rhumba classes, tarot readings, and live music.

After working up a sweat, you can always refuel at one of their food trucks, which dish up generous portions of Mexican cuisine, pizza, and empanadas.

4th Tap Brewing Cooperative

The last stop on our list is the state’s first cooperative, entirely worker-owned microbrewery, brought to life by a small group of locals and other nearby Texan transplants.

These brewing aficionados from 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op can guarantee that you’re experiencing true Austin beer, from a juicy, tropical American IPA known as the Kung Fu Robot to an amber ale that hovers somewhere between hops and malt, cheekily titled Can You Dig It?. In total, they offer seven beers on tap.

There are tons of fun (and mostly free) events to enjoy, including comedy nights, live music, WWE-style amateur wrestling, video game competitions, and more, as well as an onsite food truck serving up fusion southern American and southeast Asian cuisine.

Other Austin Breweries Worth Visiting

• Black Star Co-op – in Central Austin
• Lazarus Brewing Company – in East Austin
• Oddwood Brewing – in Central Austin
• Whitestone Brewery – in North Austin
• (512) Brewing Company – great pecan porter in South Austin
• Twisted X Brewing Co. – in Dripping Springs
• Vista Brewing – a destination brewery in Driftwood

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