Comments on: Please, support your local brewpub.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:06:47 +0000

First, please accept my apologies for the appearance of my replies in the comments. I’m still trying to figure these blasted style sheets out!

Good to see so many beer lovers commenting here. I don’t mean to sound alarmist. I just think that for every person that appreciates craft beer, there are 10 or more who are happy with crap beer. I love all of the establishments/brewers listed by everyone here too. But, to give an example, I’ve heard that the beloved Gingerman is going to be replaced by another highrise condo building. A google search shows that Lee (who commented above) wrote about that here:

http://i-love-beer.blogspot.com/2007/08/ginger-man-pub-to-move.html

Granted, he says that they will re-locate. Which I had not heard, but I do hope it’s true!

By: ttrentham

ttrentham — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:55:33 +0000

Two different beer blogs to Austin Bloggers in one day? Mmmm…beer.

I’d add Lovejoy’s to your pub list and Billy’s BBQ on Barton Springs. There’s a new place called BJ’s in Sunset Valley that I haven’t had a chance to try yet, but have heard good things. There’s BB Rovers up on 183 if you’re out Cedar Park way. Of the ones that I mentioned, I think they all brew their own except BB Rovers.

The Draught House (which used to be the Draught Horse) is an old favorite. As are the Gingerman and Crown & Anchor near campus. I frequent Opal’s Penn Field because it’s close to my house.

By: Daviid

Daviid — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:49:42 +0000

Josh: It’s not as bad as you say! When Waterloo brewing closed in the 90’s I thought it was the start of the end for microbrewing in Austin. But in the past few years we’ve seen a resurgence of execellent brewing in Austin. We’ve 3 excellent brewers; Live Oak, Independance, and Real Ale (ok, Real Ale are in Blanco but I’m claiming them anyway). And just maybe brew pubs are coming back - witness Billy’s BBQ. Finally, to lend some validity to the comeback, the California BJ’s pub chain has just opened up a location in Austin. So enjoy your beer and know that you’ve got many friends in Austin!

By: dquack

dquack — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:23:41 +0000

My husband was excited to find Racer 5 at Grapevine Market. We actually went to that brewpub last year when we went to Napa.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:11:21 +0000

Lee: What I meant was that if I could only go to Spec’s or any of the other local stores to get those beers, I’d be a hermit. I enjoy being able to go and enjoy a pint of great beer with other beer lovers at a place like the Draught House.

As for the second half of your comment, I guess I’m more of a “glass half full” kinda guy. I’ve got a buddy that used to only drink shitty “BMC” beer until I started turning him on to what else is out there. That’s part of what inspired this post.

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:47:58 +0000

Josh: I’m not sure what you mean by your “local” store. I know Grape Vine and Spec’s carry both Racer X and Stone IPA. In fact, I think the HEB at Hancock Center might have them.

As for offering up some advice to the light beer drinkers — you probably shouldn’t bother. If they walked into a place like Draught House and asked for the lightest beer, they were probably in there by accident and will never go back. My experience is that some people are adventurous in their tastes, but most people aren’t, and attempts to “educate” them are futile. It’s a noble idea, but ultimately, that old saying applies: “Don’t try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time, and it annoys the pig.”