Our Own LaCroix

Austin's very own sparkling water hits shelves soon

Rambler Sparkling Water is like a local LaCroix.

Photo courtesy of Rambler

Move over, LaCroix. Rambler Sparkling Water, made in Austin, will hit shelves this summer.

The homegrown concept, first announced in 2015, is a new addition to the "soda alternative" market. The one-of-a-kind sparkling water is made locally and filtered with Texas limestone.

Taste-wise, says a representative, Rambler will be between Topo Chico and LaCroix. Rambler will introduce its flagship sparkling water first, but flavored options from indigenous Texas fruits will soon follow.

The venture is backed by an impressive team, including James Moody (The Mohawk, Guerilla Suit, and Hot Luck Festival); Leo Kiely (former CEO of MillerCoors); Bill Kiely (Windowseat Entertainment); Jay Russell (GSD&M); Jeff Trucksess (Solcharge); and Dave Mead (photographer and director).

Austin Beerworks has teamed up with Rambler to produce the sparkling water at its brewing facility in North Austin, which was revamped earlier this year. "Our recent brewery expansion created lots of fun opportunities for us, but helping Rambler get up and running has been the most exciting. The Rambler team shares our company values, passion for delicious carbonated beverages, and love of all things Texas," says Austin Beerworks co-founder Michael Graham in a release.

As Rambler is inspired by the Lone Star State, a portion of its proceeds will be donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, to support the mission of conserving local lands and waters.

"We are excited to work with partners that understand what it means to create a conscious product that addresses a true need and cares about our community and environment. We just can't wait for everyone get a chance to try it this summer," says Moody.

Rambler will piggy back on Austin Beerworks' distribution network, which serves the entire Austin area. The sparkling water has its eyes on eventual Texas-wide expansion.

drinks

Games on the Go

This outdoorsy mountain trolley is now a vintage arcade in Austin

Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley still bears most of the markings from its past life in Tennessee.

Some classic arcade games are now on the go in Austin with the launch of the Austin Arcade Trolley. Housed in a renovated trolley car, this new mobile arcade shows off eight vintage 80s and 90s games, while keeping some of the transportation nostalgia intact, too.

Austin Arcade Trolley owner and ex-corporate salesman Trey Tschoepe said in a press release that the idea came about after attending birthday parties with his 6-year-old daughter. The parties inspired a desire to "keep Austinites young at heart." It wasn't intended as a business, but Austinites can now book it for their own events.

The vintage games include:

NBA Jam
Golden Tee
Ms. Pacman
Atari
The Simpsons
NFL Blitz
Mortal Kombat
Street Fighter II

Austin Arcade Trolley interior Even though the aesthetics are different, both halves of this bus are very retro.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

It's not just limited to those classics, though; a 55-inch screen will let guests play more than 30,000 other games. Minecraft, Roblox, and Tetris are a few of those offerings.

“Not only are we delivering nostalgic fun that accessible to all ages, but we’re also doing it in style with a vintage trolley car converted into a mobile arcade," said Tschoepe. "There’s truly nothing else like this in Texas or anywhere else.”

There certainly are other mobile arcades, but the trolley is unique not just for its vintage selection but a delightfully outdoorsy look. The back of the vehicle looks like an arcade, but the front and exterior sidestep the expected design elements — neon colors, envisionings of cyberspace — by keeping everything as-is.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley basically looks like any other mobile arcade.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The wooden interior still has some passenger benches, and the outside even displays its original affiliation: the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, where it was designated a "Fun Time Trolley."

Tschoepe did put some work in, even though he kept the aesthetic intact. He purchased the decommissioned car in May 2024 and spent six months implementing custom woodwork and other design updates.

Now it can fit 15 guests in the arcade section, with space for 7 more in the seating section. There's also wifi and air-conditioning, and guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks onboard.

Austin Arcade Trolley interior This part of the trolley brings light to an airier side of gaming.Photo courtesy of the Austin Arcade Trolley

The trolley is available for hourly booking every day. The case price is $375 including delivery, setup, and unlimited play within the booking time, which happens in two-hour increments. It can travel around Austin as well as to Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Buda, Kyle, and Lakeway.

Tschoepe welcomes kids and adults for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, corporate and team-building events, and anywhere else it's needed.

“We’re excited to spread the fun throughout Central Texas," he said.

kids games arcade parties weddings