I am definitely no stranger to drinking beer and getting my drink on. I mean, the following words have been added to my vocabulary over the years and I can only hope to pass them on.
Boozetastic: A fantastic night involving booze. “The pub crawl is going to be boozetastic!”
Beer-ing: A time dedicated to beer. “It was a hard day. I need a good beer-ing.”
Beerrific: Terrific beer. “This is beerrific!”
Living in a city with such a huge drinking culture definitely has its perks and with the strong culinary force and German/Czech roots, the brew scene here is fabulous. After last year’s Craft Beer Legislation, it threw the doors wide open for artisan brew masters to not only sell their beer on premises, but offer it wholesale to other companies.
…and so we went on our first brewery tour (shocker, I know). If you’re looking for breweries in Austin, 512 Brewing Company is a great place to start. For $10/per person and a free pint glass, I consider it a hell of a deal.
The 512 Brewing Company opened in 2008 and is run by a very tight team of 20 people (3 brewers and 6 production people) who are practically making beer around the clock to meet the 10,000 barrels a year demand. Seeing the machines in such a small space makes it very obvious that these guys are going to need a bigger space – and soon if they want to bring their beer gloriousness to a bigger audience.
Needless to say it has been a very big year for 512 and ofttimes businesses have to order out several months in advance and get on waiting lists for some of the bigger names coming out of the Austin area. We take our beer seriously.
My personal favorite of theirs has to be the Pecan Porter – which is a little silly considering the fact that I’m quite the lager girl. This delicious, dark beer with pecan undertones just really does it for me. Recently I’ve been told that the best way to use it in cooking would be a reduction for your steak. *drool*
I was surprised by the light flavor of the Wit, and to be honest, I think I realized at this point that I am definitely a 512 fan. The coriander and grapefruit really play on the tongue and I can totally see this as a summer beer.
The most popular brew – that comprises HALF of their sales – is the IPA. Sorry kids, I am just not a fan of IPAs. No hopheads can be found here but I know that my friends are obsessed over the damn thing and I swear that is all they talk about.
But seriously, how can you not fall in love with a company that names all of their various beer machines after Futurama robots?
Nerd love.
For my first brewery tour I have to say it was a rather successful one. I won’t ever complain about feeling a nice beer buzz by 11AM on a Saturday morning and I got to get my fill of the Pecan Porter.
Are you a fan of Austin beer? What are your favorite craft beers?
(512) Brewing Company
The brewery tours run on Saturdays.
Purchase tickets HERE.
That pecan porter sounds sooo good! That is one thing I love about Vancouver: so many breweries, so many good beers. Such a hard life hey! 🙂
This looks like so much fun, I’d love to go!
10 bucks is a deal! I wonder what’s in the Nitro.
It is carbonated with Nitrogen. I shit you not.
Thanks for not shitting me!
We recently discovered the joy of craft beers and will be keeping an eye out for this kind of experience in the future! Great post!
I did a brewery tour in Atlanta — Sweet Water. Man, it was good. And man, we were buzzed early! I love local beers and desperately miss sipping on them in Thailand. The thought of having one of these beers made my mouth water!
My mouth is watering for the Wit! The pecan porter definitely sounds good, too. After 2 years in Thailand, I’m tired of Chang and Leo!
Yet another thing I missed in Austin because wedding/weather/sick/blah! Can we go when I come back to visit you? =)
I am not a beer fan which is really sad because this looks super fun! I’d be up for the cider version, however 🙂
Looks like such a great time. I need to get to Austin again.
Right? Our lives are hard. I am hoping to make it up that way eventually. I’ve heard good things!
Thank you! Hubby has been the same way. Now that his taste buds have adjusted, he really enjoys the experience.
It was with you that I tried Sweet Water in Louisville! <3
IT IS SO GOOD. More than anything it is a fabulous hot day beer. I am so used to my craft beers I can’y imagine a life without them!
It is all good lady! We will make a day of it when you come back. There are quite a few places to visit!
There are a few cideries here…
Such a great place to explore. Even after living here for 18 years, I still find new things to do.
By reading about 512, I can say, I’m a fan too.!!! Variety of things to explore with.
I love brewery tours and try to visit one at least once while I’m traveling. PS if you haven’t already, porters are great to cook with but also to bake with. I’ve made lots of beer cookies, cupcakes ect and they’ve all been delightful!
the best beer you find it here in Austin.
I am hoping to visit Austin this year, so I will look to you guys as my craft beer experts.
Many IPA’s overdo it with the hops … way too bitter, and it overpowers the other flavours in the brew. $10 is a steal of a deal!
To be honest, I’ve had *okay* IPAs – I just don’t have the taste for it.
If only, every city on the planet had access craft breweries! Nice post, feel like getting myself a Bia Hoi now. 🙂