Meet the Tastemakers

Austin's 9 best breweries keep the craft beer scene flowing

One of these breweries will be named Brewery of the Year at the Tastemaker Awards on May 12.

Real Ale Brewing Company/Facebook

It's time to toast to the best breweries in Austin. We're celebrating them at the fourth annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on May 12, where we'll announce the winner of Brewery of the Year. Before the big event, meet the nominees — from hip new brew pubs to the scene's old favorites.

512 Brewing Company
512 Brewing Company crafts fresh brews in small batches from as many local and organic ingredients as possible. Its core four — 512 Wit, 512 Pale Ale, 512 IPA and the mighty tasty 512 Pecan Porter — grace taps throughout town.

ABGB
Tucked away in South Austin, Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. combines a couple Austin staples: live music and good beer. In addition to an ever-rotating selection of brews, ABGB always serves Hell Yes, Industry, Day Trip, Superliner and Big Mama Red.

Adelbert's Brewery
Adelbert's Brewery is committed to serving hand-crafted Belgian-style ales for the discerning drinker. Adelbert's distributes statewide in Texas and California, with a growing presence in New Mexico, South Florida and New York. Bonus: The brewery hosts tours and tastings on Fridays and Saturdays.

Austin Beerworks
We can thank Austin Beerworks for the brilliant 99-pack of beer that surfaced last year. Local favorites like Fire Eagle American IPA, Peacemaker Anytime Ale and Pearl-Snap Pilsner are available in kegs and cans, and more than 20 seasonal beers are released throughout the year.

Independence Brewing Co.
Independence Brewing Co. has been a staple in the Austin beer scene for more than a decade. Amy and Rob Cartwright produce beers that they not only personally love, but that come from the highest quality ingredients. Year-round favorites include Austin Amber and Stash IPA.

Live Oak Brewing
Founded in 1997, Live Oak Brewing Company is one of the oldest continually operating microbreweries in the state. Its beloved brews — Live Oak Hefeweizen, Big Bark, Pilz and Liberation — are available at fine spots throughout the state.

Pinthouse Pizza
This Burnet Road hot spot serves up stellar pizza alongside signature beers. Mainstays on the list of 40-plus craft beers include the Man O' War IPA, Iron Genny Pale Ale and the Fallen Cask IPA.

Real Ale Brewing Company
Distributed only in Texas, Real Ale's more than 20 brews are available across the state. Visit the brewery's Hill Country tap room, open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, for a true taste of this Texas favorite.

Thirsty Planet
Thirsty Planet joined the craft beer scene in 2010. You can sip on its signature brews — Buckethead IPA, Thirsty Goat Amber and Yellow Armadillo — at the brewery on Saturdays from 11 am - 3 pm.

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Tastemaker winners from 2013 and 2014 were not eligible to be nominated this year.

tastemakers

Refill, revere, rejoice

Austin distiller refills Kentucky Bourbon bottles for $1 in UT gameday stunt

Photo courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Still Austin is filling up empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles and adding its own label in a display of Texas dominance.

Cheap bourbon isn't usually something people line up for, but in this case they know it's good. Still Austin Whiskey Co., a favorite Austin distiller, is offering $1 refills of its own Cask Strength Bourbon on empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles on November 23.

The promotion celebrates the Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats football match the same day. This is a highly anticipated game because the two teams have only been matched up once, back in 1951. Kentucky coach Mike Stoops reportedly also upped the ante by saying the Longhorns have "no weaknesses."

Essentially, this is a parallel challenge by Still Austin: Replace your Kentucky Bourbon with our Texas spirit and watch the Lone Star State win again.

"Why would I ever taint your bourbon with dried up Kentucky juice[?]" asked a (frankly, terrifying) customer on Instagram.

There is a misconception that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself points out that, "According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon."

Still Austin CEO and co-founder Chris Seals is setting the record straight with a little snark, inviting both fans and "skeptics" to stop by to take advantage of the deal.

“We’re deeply grateful to Kentucky for inventing the stuff, but after 200 years of the same old bourbon, people want something new,” said Seals in a press release.“The idea that great bourbon can only come from Kentucky is a myth based on decades of misinformation. We’re inviting everyone still holding onto this old guard notion to ‘Kentucky Fill Up’ to experience the difference for themselves.”

The product he's chosen to represent the brand, the Cask Strength Bourbon, is described as "a deeper more 'metal' version of our beloved straight bourbon." It's 116 proof (58 percent ABV) and has won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Still Austin will only refill 500 bottles. Here are the rules: The bottles have to be 750 milliliters, clean, intact (with the original cap on hand), and they must have originally contained bourbon from a Kentucky Distillery. There are two time slots for refilling at 9 am and 11:30 am. Patrons can get tickets ahead of time at stillaustin.com.

In addition to the fill-ups, Still Austin will host a watch party starting at 2:30 pm. More Texas-Kentucky crossover will include Frozen Texas Julep cocktails, Texas fried chicken, and an armadillo derby race. There will also be exclusive merch and giveaways. Still Austin is the official corporate partner of Texas Athletics.

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Fans of Austin sports and Austin food and drinks can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm December 12 at Distribution Hall. Find out more about it here.

whiskey university of texas longhorns