from the editors - Austin Beer Guide

embraces the creative East Austin vibe
and his space shows it with neighbors
including acrobats and glass-blowers,
the latter of which they partner with
occasionally for “Hot Glass, Cold Beer.”
There is also a plan for a café next door,
so soon you’ll have more to munch on
than Brew Biscuits.
InDEpEnDEnCE
BREWIng CO.
First Saturday of the month from 1:00 -
3:00 pm
Austinites love lines, and they wait in a
long one here the first Saturday of the
month. With folding chairs and tents
set up in large groups on (sometimes
scorching) pavement, Independence
offers up a tailgate atmosphere any time
of year. Grab your three free samples or,
as we suggest if you are standing around
in that line, bring a little cash and trade
up to pints with purchase of a glass. Try a
long-standing staple, like the increasingly
popular Stash IPA, or special releases
from the brewluminati series, get some
food from that week’s vendor, and head
inside to catch a tour while your friends
sit working on their sunburns. Feel free
to bring your dog (you live in Austin, we
know you have a dog) as long as it can
remain behaved with all those strangers’
crotches roaming around. Also, don’t
forget to bring those Convict Hill bottle
carriers you stocked up on staying warm
over the winter as Independence recycles
their four and six pack carriers.
lIvE Oak BREWIng CO.
Two Saturday’s a month from 12:00 - 1:30
pm (RSVP required)
Stepping into the Live Oak is like going
into your grandpa’s garage, and Chip
is your wild uncle. The short ceilings,
horizontal old dairy tanks, smell of dust
and hops, and random assortment of old
and unused tools laying around add to
17
the charm of their “old world” brewing
techniques. Live Oak has been making
beers respected the world over in this
old meat packing plant for more than 17
years and after you see the equipment
and structure, you’ll have even more
appreciation for their craft. They have
land to possibly build a new place
southeast of town, but you kind of know
it would never be the same. Once you
arrive, gather around in a circle to hear
about their approach and styles as you
pass by the taps merry-go-round style
to try the standard lineup and current
seasonal or two. After the tour hang out,
chat up the brewers and staff and drink
until they tell you to go home. If you’re
smart, you’ll plan your trip in the winter
when Primus is on. All of their beers are
great, but Primus wasn’t our pick for best
overall beer of 2011 for nothing.
JESTER kIng
CRaFT BREWERy
Every Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Sometimes it feels like if you’ve been
to one brewery, you’ve been to ‘em all.
Industrial park, little tasting area in the
corner and a few random stools. But
when you head just a little out of the
Austin city limits to Jester King, you
realize you are anywhere but a normal