4 Breweries the Beer Lover Will Die for in Texas
The Texas beer scene is going through a revolution. In the 2018 World Beer Cup, the state took home 11 medals — the most it has ever garnered at the event. The year before, at the Great American Beer Festival, Texas brewers claimed 21 medals and earned two brewery-of-the-year awards. Clearly, beermakers across the state know what they’re doing when it comes to crafting a fine brew. If you’re traveling through the area and craving a cool pint, here are some of the top breweries to stop at.
Pinthouse Pizza — Austin, Texas
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In the recent World Beer Cup, Pinthouse Pizza claimed three medals: one for This Year’s Crop Wet Hop (wet hop ale category), one for Green Battles (American-style strong pale ale category), and one for Bailing Room (American-style India pale ale category). In addition to the excellent brews, the brewpubs offer handcrafted pizzas in a casual setting.
Pinthouse Pizza has two locations: one at 4236 S. Lamar Blvd. and one at 4729 Burnet Road. Stop by to try one of their mainstay or seasonal beers.
Community Beer Co. — Dallas, Texas
Head over to the Community Beer Co. in central Dallas for high-quality brews and a jubilant community environment. While every brew here is excellent, some of the top picks include the Mosiac IPA, a West-Coast-style beer with blueberry, mango, and papaya notes; Barrel-Aged Legion, a Russian imperial stout; and Triple Yessir, an American-style pale ale with a kick of hops.
Community Beer Co. is located at 1530 Inspiration Drive. If you’re looking to stay somewhere close by, consider booking a hotel in Lancaster. This Dallas suburb is outside the city but close enough to the brewery so you won’t have a long drive.
Real Ale Brewing Co. — Blanco, Texas
Real Ale Brewing Co. has been in the beer game for 20 years, meaning they know a thing or two about brewing. For a real kick, try Sisyphus, a barleywine ale with rich toffee undertones and a 10.5 percent ABV. The Mysterium Verum series is also worth exploring. It’s a series of beers that uses secondary fermentation, used wine and spirits barrels, and new oak barrels to create complex flavors.
Real Ale Brewing Co. is located at 231 San Saba Court.
Armadillo Ale Works — Denton, Texas
Armadillo claimed a medal at the World Beer Cup for its Honey Please, a mesquite bean blonde ale created with Texas honey and honey malt. The Royal Champ Texas-Style Champagne Ale is another great option, concocted with American purple corn and champagne yeast for a light, fruity finish. While Armadillo has been brewing since 2010, it finally opened its new facility to the public in May 2018.
Armadillo Ale Works is located at 221 S. Bell Ave.
Naturally, these are far from the only breweries in Texas worth checking out. You can sample delicious pints in nearly every corner of the state. Instead of trying to hit them all, your best bet would be to create a brewery itinerary based on your travel plans.
