Enjoy a Cold One at the Best Local Breweries In Austin

The Craft Beer Movement is as strong as ever, and many great breweries have opened in the Austin area over the past few years. If you're craving a cold one, would like to learn more about beer, or just want to expand your palate and taste a few local brews, head out to one of these great local breweries this weekend.

1. Friends and Allies
979 Springdale Rd, Austin

Friends and Allies opened in 2015, and it's their goal to connect with their customers and community by creating exceptional beer. Their tasting room is open daily from 4 p.m. until at least 10 p.m., staying open later on weekends. Favorites include The Noisy Cricket, a Session IPA made with five kinds of hops and 2-row and rye malt. Their Lime Radler, a seasonal summer brew, has also gained quite a following with its notes of key lime pie and margarita.

2. Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
1305 W Oltorf St, Austin

Affectionately known as ABGB, this brewery opened in 2016 and has become known for its awesome atmosphere and great beer. Inside, they have long wooden tables where you can sip your beer, enjoy a meal, and interact with others. There's also an outdoor beer garden featuring plenty of comfortable seating; and dogs are welcome!
Favorites at ABGB include the Hell Yes Helles and the Rocket 100, a pre-prohibition-style pilsner. They always have their six mainstay beers along with a few specialties on tap. ABGB's food menu features delicious small plates like bruschetta and calzones, along with pizzas, sandwiches and a few salads.

3. Pinthouse Pizza
4729 Burnet Rd, Austin

Was there ever a better pairing than pizza and beer? Pinthouse Pizza brews their own beer on-site, and they make a bit of everything from dry Irish stouts to fruity Saisons. They've won numerous medals and awards in international brewing competitions.

On the food menu, you'll find artisanal pizzas made from locally sourced, organic ingredients. Try The Green Belt Pizza, topped with red sauce, cheese, mushrooms, olives, peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes and ricotta. Another favorite is the Cannonball, topped with four different types of meat. All pizzas come in 10”, 14” and 16” sizes.

4. Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin

Austin Beerworks is the creation of four friends, each with radically different backgrounds, who came together to create great craft beer. Their taproom is located right next to their brewing area, so you can see the tanks and other equipment while you sip.

Favorites at Austin Beerworks include the Pearl Snap, a German Pilsner, and Gal-Lager, a unique watermelon lager. They do not serve food, but food trucks do visit periodically throughout the week so there's usually plenty to eat.

Springs at Lakeline and Springs at Round Rock residents, have you visited any of these breweries? Where do you head when you're craving a pint of craft beer? Let us know in the comments section.