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Photo by Tara O'Quinn

Summer is winding down (even if the heat isn't), and everyone is praying for the fall weather to come in. For September's batch of recipes, we've chosen drinks that are best enjoyed outdoors during your next Texas getaway for Labor Day and beyond.

The following cocktails feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, these brilliant beverages can be found at their respective restaurant or distillery.

Milam & Greene Port Rye Blackberry Bramble

This Blanco-based whiskey distillery has kindly shared the perfect cocktail to close down the summer months. Make sure to stop by their distillery while traveling through the Hill Country.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz of Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye
6 or 7 ripe blackberries
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz ginger beer or sparkling water
1 cup of ice (preferably pebble)
Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Directions:

  • Muddle at least 5 blackberries and simple syrup gently in a serving glass.
  • Pour in the rye whiskey and add a half cup of ice. Stir for 20 seconds until some ice has melted.
  • Add additional blackberries and ice, top with ginger beer (or sparkling water for a less sweet preference)
  • Garnish with the fresh mint and enjoy.

Swift's Attic, cocktails, cocktail menu, recipes Photo courtesy of Swift's Attic

Respect Your Elders bySwift's Attic
This recipe was developed by General Manager and Beverage Director Curtis Hansford. Respect Your Elders is tart yet refreshing, with the perfect amount of bitterness to curb any sweetness.

Ingredients:
¾ oz Tanqueray Gin
¾ oz St. Germaine
¾ oz Aperol
¾ oz fresh lime juice
Lime wheel, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake rigorously.
  • Strain the cocktail over a glass full of ice or into a martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy!

Aba Golden City Pi\u00f1a Colada cocktailPhoto by Jane Yun

Aba's Golden City Piña Colada
This recipe was created by Senior Beverage Manager Thomas Mizuno-Moore and is one of his guilty pleasures. If you're anything like us and can't get enough piña coladas, try making your own Junior Colada from the July collection of recipes.

Ingredients:
½ oz fresh lime juice
1 oz fresh pineapple juice
1 oz Liquid Alchemist Coconut Cocktail Syrup
1 oz Bacardí Reserva Ocho Rum
1 oz El Dorado 12 Year Rum
Mint bouquet and dehydrated pineapple wheel, for garnish

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker full of crushed ice. Shake briefly, 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Pour the cocktail into a pineapple glass (or any available glass) and top off with more crushed ice.
  • Garnish with the mint bouquet and dehydrated pineapple wheel. Enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Eberly

4 cocktail recipes from local restaurants to revive Austinites in August

cocktails galore

It's time for a new batch of refreshing recipes to keep Austinites entertained through this brutal Texas heat. July's cocktail collection was a nice distraction from the summer sun, full of citrus-flavored creations to make us feel like we've been transported to a tropical island.

The following cocktails feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, these revitalizing beverages can be found at their respective restaurant or bar.

Perfect Escape by Eberly
This recipe by Beverage Manager Kim Romo is a perfect beverage for any group gatherings, and is just as refreshing as a piña colada. The addition of milk might seem a bit odd at first, but it really adds a delightfully silky texture to the drink. As a note, this recipe yields a half liter (18 oz) of cocktails, so drink responsibly!

Ingredients:
8 oz Flor De Cana 7 Year Rum Gran Reserva
2 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
4 1/2 oz coconut water
3 oz pineapple juice
2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
5 oz whole milk
Dehydrated lime slices and orchid flowers, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a jar. To clarify, strain the mixture through a coffee filter until all the curdled milk solids are removed.
  • Repeat the clarification process until the liquid is clear.
  • Serve in your favorite tiki mug over crushed ice. Garnish with the dehydrated lime slices and orchid flowers, if desired. Enjoy!

The Green Dragon by Wu ChowDulce Vida Tequila is based out of Austin, which makes this recipe all-too irresistible.Photo courtesy of Wu Chow

The Green Dragon by Wu Chow
This recipe was created by Bar Manager Johnny Soumphonphakdy using Austin-based Dulce Vida Tequila. This invigorating cocktail has hints of both sweetness and spice, which is just what we need to get through the brutal August heat.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila
1/2 oz Ancho chile liqueur
1 oz lime juice
2 oz lychee drink of choice
Splash of soda water
Pineapple wedge and jalapeño slice, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients except the soda water into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake until well-chilled.
  • Strain the cocktail into a glass full of ice and top with soda water as desired.
  • Garnish with the pineapple and jalapeño. Enjoy.

Lenoir's Lil Selena cocktailThis brightly colored cocktail is reminiscent Selena's signature red lipstick.Photo courtesy of Lenoir

Lil Selena by Lenoir
This cocktail takes a little patience to create the smoky hibiscus tincture, but it's definitely worth the wait. If you can't get your hands on Atxa Blanca Vermut, you can use any other similar herby white vermouth.

Ingredients:
2 oz Atxa Blanca Vermut
1 oz Lillet Blanc
2 cups dried hibiscus leaves
750 ml white mezcal
Lime wedge, for garnish

Smoky Hibiscus Tincture Directions:

  • In a non-reactive container, combine the hibiscus leaves and the mezcal and stir to soak the leaves.
  • Refrigerate the container and allow to steep for two to three days.
  • Strain the leaves from the mezcal and reserve for another use, if desired.
Cocktail Directions:
  • Combine vermut, Lillet Blanc, and 1/4 oz of the smoky hibiscus tincture into an empty rocks glass. Stir gently.
  • Add ice to the glass, squeeze in some lime juice, and top with the wedge for garnish. Enjoy.

Tillie's Gold Standard MargaritaWho doesn't love a good margarita?Photo by Ashleigh Amoroso

Gold Standard Margarita by Tillie's at Camp Lucy
We love a good margarita, and there's nothing better than finding a new go-to margarita spot like Tillie's. Camp Lucy's Banquets Executive Chef Meredith Shaffer says their Gold Standard Margarita pairs best with their Mexican fusion-inspired bone-in Duroc pork chop, and we trust their impeccable taste. If you can't get enough of this libation, try Tillie's Empress Gin Martinifrom our June collection of recipes.

Ingredients:
2 oz Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila
1/2 oz Louis Cuvée Grand Marnier
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
Dried lime slice, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake vigorously.
  • Strain the margarita into a glass with ice, garnish with the dried lime slice, and serve.
Photo by Garett Mizunaka on Unsplash

4 tropical-inspired cocktail recipes to transport you from Austin to a desert island

raise those summer spirits

Austinites loved CultureMap's June collection of summery cocktails to help beat the Texas heat, so we're bringing it back in July for a refresh of exciting libations to make you feel like you aren't in Texas (even if only for a brief amount of time).

The following recipes feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. We've been on a citrus kick, so these three cocktails (and a mocktail) all have those bright elements in common. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, two of these refreshing beverages can be found at their respective restaurant or bar.

Lei Low's Junior Colada
This cocktail was created by David Perez of Houston's mellow Tiki bar Lei Low. Fun fact: the Junior Colada was featured in the cocktail recipe book Easy Tiki by Punch senior editor Chloe Frechette. She also happens to be a relative of Dixie Frechette, the owner of recently-opened Sunday Bookshop in Dripping Springs.

Ingredients:
1 oz Plantation Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum
½ oz coconut liqueur (preferably Rhum Clément Mahina Coco)
1 oz pineapple juice
¾ oz lime juice
Coconut soda (Coco Rico will make the drink sweeter, if preferred)
Pineapple wedge and cocktail umbrella, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine the rum, coconut liqueur, pineapple juice, and lime juice in a highball glass. Stir using a swizzle stick or barspoon to combine.
  • Add crushed ice to the glass, then top it off with coconut soda. Stir until well combined.
  • Garnish with the pineapple wedge and cocktail umbrella, and enjoy.

www.garrisonbros.com

Hye Tai by Garrison Brothers
Another take on a Tiki drink, the Hye Tai has all the citrus flavors that help make us think we might be on a tropical island, rather than a city in the middle of a gigantic Southern state.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
¼ oz Diplomatico Reserva
1 oz Oloroso Sherry
¼ oz apricot liqueur
½ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz fresh pineapple juice
¾ oz orgeat
1 barspoon pimento dram
Dehydrated pineapple wheel and pineapple leaf, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a hurricane glass or a tiki mug over pebble ice.
  • Garnish with a dehydrated pineapple wheel and pineapple leaf, if desired. Enjoy.

Earlybird CBD-infused Summer Paloma mocktailWe like to make our mocktails in a pinch, much like this summer paloma.Photo by Molly Culver

Earlybird Summer Paloma
This CBD-infused mocktail was created by Sam Eddings for Earlybird, an Austin-based recreational hemp company. Adding the CBD is totally up to you, so feel free to omit if you don't need the extra relaxation.

Ingredients:
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
1 ml Earlybird Tincture
Soda water
Salt, for garnish

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients except soda water into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until cold.
  • Strain over fresh ice in a cocktail glass and top with soda water as desired.
  • Garnish with salt and enjoy!

Locals Only summer cocktail from AbaLocals Only is a part of the “Groupies” summer cocktail menu at Aba.Photo courtesy of Aba

Locals Only by Aba
This cocktail was created by Senior Beverage Manager Thomas Mizuno-Moore. As a note, this batch cocktail is meant to serve four to five people. Don't be greedy!

Ingredients:
3 oz lime juice
3 oz Rhum Clément Mahina Coco
1 oz Midori
3 oz Nordes Gin
3 oz Los Vecinos Mezcal
Mango slices (one per glass)
Edible pansies (one per glass)

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients to your pitcher or carafe of choice.
  • Fill your cocktail glasses with crushed ice, then pour the batched cocktail into each glass.
  • Garnish each glass with mango slices and edible pansies, then serve and enjoy!
Photo courtesy of Aba

4 Austin-inspired cocktail recipes to whisk you away from the Texas heat this summer

SIP SIP

Now that summer weather has arrived in Austin, we can tell you’re thirsting for some new drinks to try. And with World Gin Day coming up on June 10, we’re sharing a few recipes from local Austin restaurants (and Austin’s favorite Topo Chico!) we hope you’ll enjoy.

The following recipes feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. Whether your drink of choice is a cocktail or mocktail, we’ve gathered four bright and bubbly beverages to help whisk you away from the Texas heat. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, three of these lovely libations can be found on the seasonal summer menus at their respective restaurant.

Aba’s Rhubarb Rose Gin and Tonic
This cocktail was created by Senior Beverage Manager Thomas Mizuno-Moore.

Ingredients:
½ oz lime juice
¼ oz honey syrup
½ oz Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur
¾ oz Brockmans Gin
¾ oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora
2 oz tonic water
Rosebud tea, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine lime juice, honey syrup, Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur, Brockmans Gin and Hendrick’s Flora Adora in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake until cold.
  • Add tonic water to the shaker, then strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass.
  • Garnish with rosebud tea and enjoy!

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo ChicoBecause everyone needs a good go-to mocktail recipe in their life.Photo courtesy of Topo Chico

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo Chico
This beverage might not be gin-themed, but it does make a great refreshing mocktail. If you don’t have Topo Chico Sabores on hand, you can substitute it with sparkling water.

Ingredients:
1 Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
½ cup water
½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon slices and additional blueberries, for garnish

Blueberry Syrup Directions:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries are soft and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the blueberry mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled, use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the blueberry mixture into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids and set the blueberry syrup aside.

Mocktail Directions:

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 ounce of the blueberry syrup, and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top off the glass with Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores (or sparkling water) and give it a gentle stir to mix.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and additional blueberries, if desired. Enjoy your refreshing Blueberry Sparkler!

Tillie's seasonal summer cocktailThis colorful cocktail is a lively take on a gin martini.Photo courtesy of Tillie's at Camp Lucy

Empress Gin Martini by Tillie’s at Camp Lucy
This martini recipe was developed by Paolo Lazarich, the mixologist for Abbey Row Restaurant at The Old Bell Hotel in the United Kingdom. Fun fact: Camp Lucy owners Kim and White Hanks also own The Old Bell Hotel, which is rumored to be England’s oldest hotel.

Ingredients:
3 oz Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz dry vermouth
Splash of lemon juice
Lemon and rosemary for garnish

Directions:

  • Add the Empress 1908 Gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice to a glass and stir gently.
  • Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy.

\u200bSummertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse There's nothing like a summer spritz.Photo courtesy of Dean's Italian Steakhouse

Summertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse
This recipe is geared toward a mixologist who enjoys the little details that make a cocktail so unique, such as making their own oleo saccharum or curating the perfect flower as a garnish.

Ingredients:
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz strawberry oleo saccharum
¼ oz Aperol
¼ oz Giffard Abricot
1.5 oz Zephyr Gin
2 oz Brut champagne
1 each cocktail flower

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients except Brut champagne into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a wine glass with ice and add the Brut. Fine strain the cocktail into the glass.
  • Garnish with the cocktail flower
Photo courtesy of Central Market

Cook with top Black chefs during Central Market's live online classes

Black History Month

To celebrate Black History Month, Central Market is hosting a series of virtual cooking school classes featuring the stories and recipes of notable Black chefs and makers. The specialty grocer will also highlight the products and services of several Black-owned brands throughout the month.

Here's who you'll be learning from, and what signature dishes they'll be preparing for you live:

Chef Pierre Thiam is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, and environmental activist known for his innovative cooking style rooted in the rich culinary traditions of West Africa.

His critically acclaimed New York restaurant Teranga introduces healthy fast-casual fare sourced directly from farmers in West Africa. He'll be making salmon and cassava croquettes with a tamarind glaze, grilled chicken yassa with onion and lime confit over fonio, and chocolate fonio pudding with honey roasted mango.

Marcus Samuelsson is the acclaimed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem, Marcus Montreal, Marcus B&P, Red Rooster Overtown, and Marcus Fish + Chop House in the Bahamas.

Samuelsson was the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from The New York Times and has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards. He's also the head judge of the new show Top Chef Family Style. You'll learn to make blackened catfish with aioli and lime, coconut fried chicken, and roasted carrots with orange and fresh cheese.

Classically trained in French, Mediterranean, West Indian, and East African cuisine, chef Chris Williams has made a name for himself serving up refined Southern food with international infusions at Lucille's, his nationally acclaimed restaurant.

Cook along with the chef to make smoky citrus salmon on the half shell, coconut rice, and collard green salad.

Winemakers André Mack, Mahalia Kotjane, and Donae Burston join Central Market's wine expert for a guided tasting of four delicious wines, featuring grapes from Willamette Valley, Provence, and the High Plains of Texas.

You'll come to understand what a difference terroir can make and learn tips on pairing these wines with a variety of foods.

Central Market was founded on the unwavering belief that each and every person counts. Through its Be The Change initiative, they pledge to do their part to advance equity and inclusion across Texas.

Be The Change builds upon Central Market's established diversity and inclusion framework, driving the company to be a better employer, retailer, and community partner.

Learn from some of the best this month.

Black History Month
Photo courtesy of Central Market
Learn from some of the best this month.
Photo courtesy of Pioneer

The ultimate comfy giveaway + 3 holiday recipes to make your holiday bright

Turning Meals Into Memories

Have you been eyeing the popular Our Place Always Pan or super-soft Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw for this year's holiday list? Any chance you could use a tasty new recipe for get-togethers with family and friends? Pioneer has you covered on all fronts.

The contest
For 170 years, Pioneer has spread comfort during the holiday season. From sharing a basket of warm biscuits for breakfast to passing the gravy around the dinner table to the people you love, Pioneer specializes in turning meals into memories. This year, to celebrate the big milestone, Pioneer is introducing the Ultimate Holiday Comfort Kit Giveaway.

Valued at around $300, the kit includes the aforementioned Barefoot Dreams throw and Always Pan plus a Pioneer Prize Pack that includes Pioneer products and branded swag.

Here's how to enter: From now until December 16, follow both @culturemapatx and @pioneer_1851, like this post on CultureMap Austin's Instagram, and tag a friend in the post's comments. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

The recipes
Since Pioneer is the nationwide leader in gravy, what better dish to bring to the table than one that utilizes Pioneer’s Country Gravy Mix and Country Sausage Gravy Mix?

Here are three mouth-watering recipes from the iconic Texas brand:

Turkey Casserole
Topped with Pioneer biscuits and made even more savory with bacon, it's the perfect way to use up leftover turkey.

Broccoli Cheese Soup
A wonderfully simple staple for chilly days and festive nights.

Skillet Breakfast Casserole
No-fuss but full of flavor, this easy breakfast can feed a crowd without taking too much time in the kitchen.

Click here to find Pioneer products near you, and be sure to sign up for Pioneer's weekly newsletter for the latest news, recipes, and seasonal tips.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Austin wakes up and smells the brews at 2nd annual coffee festival

cool beans

Making a cup of coffee is one of the most ritualistic morning activities for millions of people every day. It's a truly customizable experience: You can use pre-ground coffee or grind whole beans yourself, and there are many different brewing methods, such as a traditional drip coffeemaker, a moka pot, or an AeroPress.

The local coffee community in Austin is in a world of its own, and coffee aficionados can enjoy a special weekend all to themselves to meet their favorite local roasters at the second annual Austin Coffee Festival on September 30 and October 1 at Fair Market.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups to enjoy endless coffee tastings from about two dozen well-known Austin roasters like Merit Coffee Co., Medici Roasting, Barrett's Coffee Roasters, and Greater Goods Coffee Co. Master roasters can help newcomers learn more about coffee, and local musicians will provide the soundtrack for the weekend.

If you're not a coffee drinker but would still like to tag along, there will be non-coffee options available, like tea tastings from Kilogram Tea and Kinship Milk Tea. Snacks will be available for purchase from Gelu Italian Ice and casual Mexican mini-chain Pueblo Viejo.

Additional roasters that will be at the festival include:

  • Creature Coffee
  • Red Horn Brew
  • Malone Specialty Coffee
  • Fara Coffee
  • Intelligenista
  • Kimbala
  • Sightseer Coffee Roasters
  • Vision
  • Springtown Roasters
  • Casa Brasil
  • Hard Charger Coffee
  • Haciendo Coffee Roasters
  • Carta Coffee Merchants
  • Dog Day Coffee
  • Tianon Coffee
  • Little City Coffee Roasters
  • Wild Gift Coffee
  • Luna Espresso

ATX Theatre, Topo Chico, Oatly, Mill-King, Minor Figures, and Loveramics will also be in attendance.

More information about the festival and tickets (beginning at $25) can be found on austincoffeefestival.com.

Country star Kane Brown set to land in Austin as part of new 'In the Air' tour

big daddy kane

Country singer Kane Brown will return to the road in 2024 with the 29-city In the Air tour, which will culminate with a stop at Toyota Center on April 28.

Starting on March 28 in Charlottesville, Virginia, the tour will play 2-3 shows a week through the beginning of June at arenas, including in Houston on April 28 and Austin on April 29. He'll end his tour in Arlington, Texas on September 14.

For the final five shows on the tour, Brown will switch to stadiums, including the last show at Globe Life Field. Brown will be joined by Tyler Hubbard and Parmalee in both Austin and Houston.

Just like his previous Drunk or Dreaming Tour, which he just finished in early September, Brown will be touring in support of his 2022 album, Different Man. Although it was the first of his three albums not to go to No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts (it charted at No. 2), it still notched four top 10 songs.

The new tour's title, In the Air, is a reference to Brown's new single, “I Can Feel It,” which samples Phil Collins’ legendary drum solo and single from “In the Air Tonight.”

Fans can register now at kanebrownmusic.com for the artist pre-sale starting on Tuesday, October 3, at 10 am ET time. Tickets forthe tourwill go on-sale to the general public on Thursday, October 5, at 10 am local time.

IN THE AIR TOUR DATES

  • Thursday, March 28, 2024: Charlottesville, VA, John Paul Jones Arena
  • Friday, March 29, 2024: Pittsburgh, PA, PPG Paints Arena
  • Saturday, March 30, 2024: Newark, NJ, Prudential Center
  • Thursday, April 4, 2024, Detroit, MI, Little Caesars Arena
  • Friday, April 5, 2024: Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena
  • Saturday, April 6, 2024: Buffalo, NY, KeyBank Center
  • Thursday, April 11, 2024: Kansas City, MO, T-Mobile Center
  • Friday, April 12, 2024: Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena
  • Thursday, April 18, 2024: Des Moines, IA, Wells Fargo Arena
  • Friday, April 19, 2024: Minneapolis, MN, Target Center
  • Saturday, April 20, 2024: Grand Forks, ND, Alerus Center
  • Friday, April 26, 2024: Lubbock, TX, United Supermarkets Arena
  • Saturday, April 27, 2024: Houston, Toyota Center
  • Sunday, April 28, 2024: Austin, TX, Moody Center
  • Thursday, May 9, 2024: Eugene, OR, Matthew Knight Arena
  • Friday, May 10, 2024: Sacramento, CA, Golden 1 Center
  • Saturday, May 11, 2024: Sacramento, CA, Golden 1 Center
  • Friday, May 17, 2024: Salt Lake City, UT, Delta Center
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024: Las Vegas, NV, T-Mobile Arena
  • Sunday, May 19, 2024: Tempe, AZ, Boots In The Park
  • Thursday, May 30, 2024: Orlando, FL, Amway Center
  • Friday, May 31, 2024: Tampa, FL, Amalie Arena
  • Saturday, June 1, 2024: Tampa, FL, Amalie Arena
  • Friday, June 7, 2024: Raleigh, NC, PNC Arena
  • Saturday, June 8, 2024: Atlanta, GA, State Farm Arena
  • Thursday, June 20, 2024: Milwaukee, WI, Summerfest
  • Saturday, July 20, 2024: Boston, MA, Fenway Park
  • Friday, August 16, 2024: Seattle, WA, T-Mobile Park
  • Saturday, August 24, 2024: Los Angeles, CA, BMO Stadium
  • Friday, September 6, 2024: Denver, CO, Coors Field
  • Saturday, September 14, 2024: Arlington, TX, Globe LIfe Field

One of the oldest breweries in North Austin shuts down after 15-year run

cherish the memories

The Austin beer community will surely miss this brewer. Circle Brewing Company, one of the oldest breweries in North Austin, is shutting down operations at its longtime Braker Lane location and its 23-acre property in Elgin.

Although a statement on the Circle Brewing website doesn't give a clear reason for its closing, founders Ben Sabel and Judson Mulherin alluded to ongoing financial troubles since the company's inception at the beginning of the 2008 financial crisis.

"As became a recurring motif for us, this was the first major example of our flawless business timing," the statement said. "With far too much optimism and not nearly enough money, we opened our doors with two draft beers (Blur Texas Hefe and Envy Amber) and barely a dozen draft accounts."

Sabel and Mulherin shared their story of the company's resilience despite financial setbacks, relying on the local community and other small Central Texas breweries.

"In our first two years of operation, we were so broke that we couldn't even afford to buy yeast," they wrote. "But the Austin brewing community and the real spirit of camaraderie was such that we just had to drive out to Blanco and fill up a few corny kegs from our friends at Real Ale. In the coming years, we'd come to owe countless other members of the local brewing community thanks for all the advice, friendships, and assistance."

Circle Brewing had only opened its Elgin location in May 2023, after six years of planning and three years of extended buildout due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's goal with the 23-acre property was to grow all the ingredients needed to use in their beers and develop a fully Texan-made, sustainable beer.

"Our biggest regret is not having the time to see our vision through and fulfilling the enormous potential we know would have paid off enormously," the website said. "It was so close to becoming reality. We're sorry we didn't have the time to see it to the end."

The Braker Lane location is fully closed, but Sabel and Mulherin said they are attempting to remain open at their Elgin facility for "at least another week." All of the company's remaining beer and merchandise will be sold at heavy discounts until Friday, September 22.

More information about the company shutdown can be found on circlebrewing.com.