Hill Country Conservation
Local brewery snaps up prime Austin land to prevent yet another development
The craft beer scene in Austin is overflowing with innovation, the latest example of which comes from Jester King Brewery. In a major preservation effort, the 5-year-old brewery has purchased 58 acres of land surrounding its headquarters in Southwest Austin.
"Our plan is to conserve the natural beauty of the land so as to prevent it from ever becoming yet another residential subdivision," reads a statement from founder Jeffrey Stuffings.
"The direction we're headed made it seem apparent that one day we'd look out from the front steps of the brewery and see rows of houses. This would obviously compromise the rural, rustic character of the brewery and our ability to make authentic farmhouse ale. We felt we had to act."
The brewery, known for farmhouse ales, also plans to try its hand at farming on the new plot of land.
"In order to breathe more life into our claim of authenticity, we think it's very important that Jester King farm its own land for use in beer-making," said Stuffings. This spring, the brewery will plant grains and other brewing essentials; plans for orchards and vineyards are also in the works.
Jester King's vision doesn't stop at farming and conservation. In the name of sustainability, the brewery hopes to add livestock, a distillery, an apiary, and more. The end goal is an "artisan destination" with "small-scale lodging for guests, a wedding and event space, nature trails, farmers markets, art fairs, and an education center on fermentation and sustainable farming."
While the land was purchased from Stanley's Farmhouse Pizza, the restaurant remains a separate and independent entity.
