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Texas is one of the best beer destinations in the United States, home to a ton of great breweries. There are somewhere around 100 breweries across the state, and they’re scattered around in big cities and small towns that are worth visiting. There are lots of famous brewing establishments here, as well as up-and-coming brewers who are revolutionizing the way beer is made.
When in Texas, a refreshing brew is what we want after a hard day’s work, while tailgating before our favorite team plays, and the perfect companion for float trips down the river. If you only have time to visit a few breweries on your next trip to Texas, make sure to add these to your itinerary. They’re the very best in the state!
Jester King Brewery – Austin, Texas
What makes Jester King special isn’t just it’s amazing beers; it’s also the incredible brewery space with plenty of room to play and take in views of Texas Hill Country. Jester King is located on 220-acres in Southwest Austin on a property that used to be a machine shop. This is a great place to visit for beer fans who love Belgian brews. A couple favorites here are Das Wunderkind and Atrial Rubicite. The artwork that goes into the beer labels is pretty impressive, so take some time to check it out! In the spring and summer seasons, the tasting room is open from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays, noon to 10pm on Saturdays, and noon to 9pm on Sundays. Tours of the brewery are free, require no reservations, and are open to all ages. Those tours take place on Fridays at 6pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm. The brewery publishes its ever-changing tasting room menu on its website, so take a look before you go to see what’s on tap.
Karbach Brewing Co. – Houston, Texas
Another epic Texas Brewery is the Karbach Brewing Co., which is in Houston and has many different beers to offer. It’s been on the local scene since 2011 and is one of the fastest growing breweries in the region. It’s located on Karbach Street, and Karbach is also the name of a town in Bavaria. This is a brewery that’s become known for its fun events, like disc golf tournaments, a running club, and live music performances. Top beer picks here include Rodeo Clown, Weekend Warrior, and the Hellfighter Imperial Porter. Karbach also serves food, with a lunch menu offered on weekdays until 3:30pm as well. The Biergarten is open from 2:30pm to 9:30pm on weekdays with tours at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. On Saturdays, it’s open from 11am to 9:30pm with tours every hour on the hour from 1pm to 7pm. And on Sundays, it’s open from noon to 6pm with hourly tours between 1pm and 5pm. Tours start include a 9-ounce glass and four beer tokens.
Peticolas Brewing Company – Dallas, Texas
Born in Dallas, this brewery is run by pure and proud Texans and has won lots of awards for its beers. You can take a tour of this brewery, which also includes a branded glass and three beer tokens. Tours are offered between 1pm and 3pm on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Otherwise, you can visit the taproom on Thursdays and Fridays between 4pm and 10pm, on Saturdays between 11am and 10pm, and on Sundays between 11am and 6pm.
Lakewood Brewing Company – Garland, Texas
Anyone who enjoys Belgian beers owes it to himself to visit Lakewood Brewing Company in Garland. This is a small-batch brewery with European roots, as you might guess from the brewery’s décor. The founder, Wim Bens, was born in Belgium and raised in Texas. It’s easy to relax and spend an afternoon or evening at this brewery, thanks to the spacious beer garden with a performance stage and large seating area. The taproom at Lakewood is open on weekdays from 3pm to 9pm, on Saturdays from noon to 9pm, and on Sundays from noon to 6pm. You can take a tour on a Saturday at either 1pm, 3pm, or 5pm. This brewery is known locally for hosting lots of events, such as trivia nights and weekly charity events.
Rahr & Sons Brewing – Fort Worth, Texas
This Fort Worth Brewery is all about quality and community, and it has a wide variety of year-around brews and seasonal favorites. Tours are family-friendly and everyone is welcome. But if you’re at least 21, you can take a tour of this brewery, which includes a pint class and three beer samples. Tours on Wednesdays from 5pm to 7:30pm are generally less crowded and offer specialty beers more than the Saturday tours from 1pm to 3pm.
Hops and Grain Brewing – Austin, Texas
As with many establishments in Austin, Hops and Grain Brewing values sustainability and the environment. The team has been known to even make dog treats from filtered grains! You’ll find this brewery conveniently located at the eastern end of Sixth Street. Dogs and kids are welcome, and here are some fun board games to keep you entertained. Favorite beers here include A Pale Mosaic and The One They Call Zoe Pale Lager. The tap room is open every day from 10am to 10pm. You can also take a free 45-minute tour on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm.
Freetail Brewing Co. – San Antonio, Texas
Freetail has been in San Antonio since 2008 when it established a brewpub. A few years later, the brewers moved into a 30,000-square-foot production facility and a thirteen-tap tasting room. One recommended brew here is the Bat Outta Helles. The brewery’s tasting room is at 2000 S. Presa Street and open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 9pm, Saturdays from noon to 10pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. The pub is at 4035 North Loop in San Antonio and open from 11am to midnight Mondays through Saturdays and then noon to midnight on Sundays. You can also rent out the tasting room for private events or reserve tables for groups. Check the brewery’s events page on its website before you visit to see if any trivia games, cheese and beer pairing events, cycle events, or brunch events are taking place.
Big Bend Brewing Company – Alpine, Texas
All the way out in Alpine, Texas, you’ll find Big Bend Brewing Company. It’s an incredibly remote brewery that makes an excellent pit stop on your way to see the mysterious Marfa lights. The brewery has only been around since 2012, but its brewmaster came from Live Oak Brewing Co. in Austin. It specializes in small-batch beers and embraces the rugged landscape that surrounds it. Famous brews include the Tejas Lager, La Frontera IPA, and Big Bend Hefeweizen. Come here on Saturdays to take a tour at 1pm or 3pm and learn about the history of the brewery and how it makes beer. These tours last about 30 minutes and include one brew of your choice. Otherwise, the tap room is open on Wednesdays through Fridays from 4pm to 6pm and on Saturdays from 1pm to 6pm.
Lone Pint Brewery – Magnolia, Texas
Based in the small town of Magnolia, Lone Pint Brewery prides itself on making ales that are distinctively “Texas.” The brewery is located inside a former automobile shop in the downtown area. It’s an eco-friendly brewery that makes an admirable effort to use compost hops, renewable energy, and recycle used grain to local dairy farmers. One famous beer to try here is the Yellow Rose IPA, and the Jabberwocky Imperial IPA is excellent too if you’re looking for something stronger. Come to Lone Pint on Saturdays to take a tour at 2pm. The tours cost $10 per person and include a pint glass and three tasting tokens. Food trucks are often onsite, so pull up a seat at the long picnic tables or bring your own lawn chairs.
Real Ale Brewing Company – Blanco, Texas
These brewers have been on the Hill Country brewing scene for a couple of decades now, and Real Ale has a solid lineup of beer. Here you’ll find all the classic varieties, as well as experimental brews like sours and barrel-aged beers. The Kraken and Devil’s Backbone are a couple of the best brews to try here when you visit. You can visit the taproom between noon and 6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am to 7pm Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 5pm on Sundays. Free tours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm and 3pm.
