Texas has become a hotbed for craft breweries over the past decade. With over 300 craft breweries across the Lone Star State, beer lovers have no shortage of options when it comes to sampling locally-made craft beers.
From hoppy IPAs to dark stouts and everything in between, the variety of beers produced by Texas brewmasters is impressive. Narrowing down the best breweries and top beers in Texas is no easy task, but someone has to do it!
In this blog post, we’ll countdown the top 5 craft breweries in Texas and highlight some of their most popular beers. Whether you’re a Texan looking to support local brewers or a visitor looking to sample the best of Texas’ craft beer scene, you’ll find some great recommendations here.
So grab a pint glass and get ready to explore the very best of Texas craft beer!
1. Jester King Brewery – Austin
When it comes to brewing beers with big, bold Texas flavors, Jester King Brewery leads the pack. Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin, Jester King focuses on farmhouse ales and sours aged in oak barrels.
One of Jester King’s most popular beers is Atrial Rubicite, an intensely fruity sour ale aged in oak barrels with raspberries. With flavors of overripe fruit, oak, and a tart, puckering finish, it’s the epitome of a Texas fruit bomb. For hop heads, Jester King IPA is a hop-forward, unfiltered gem with citrusy and herbal hop aromas.
Beyond its lineup of year-round and seasonal beers, Jester King also collaborates with other innovative breweries across the world on special releases. Nature lovers will enjoy the scenic brewery grounds with sprawling views of the countryside. Jester King offers brewery tours on the weekends, so visitors can get an inside look at its farmhouse brewing operation.
2. Real Ale Brewing Company – Blanco
Founded in 1996, Real Ale Brewing Company is one of the OG craft breweries in Texas. Brewmaster Brad Farbstein helped put the Texas Hill Country on the national craft beer map with beers like Real Ale’s flagship Firemans #4 Blonde Ale. Crisp and easy-drinking with a touch of German Noble hops, it’s the quintessential hot weather beer.
Another longtime favorite is Real Ale’s Devil’s Backbone, an adventurous Belgian Tripel brewed with spices. It’s one of the best high-gravity beers in Texas, boasting flavors of peppery spice, lemon, and banana. Real Ale also has a rotating lineup of seasonal releases, like their winter favorite Rio Blanco Pale Ale brewed with Texas oranges and spices.
In addition to brewery tours and tastings, Real Ale’s hilltop location offers scenic views of the countryside. On a warm spring day, there’s no better place to sip a cold one.
3. Live Oak Brewing Company – Austin
For beer purists seeking German-style lagers and Pilsners, Live Oak Brewing Company delivers the goods. Founded in 1997 by veteran brewmaster Chip McElroy, Live Oak built its reputation on Live Oak Pilz, a refreshing European-style Pilsner with honeyed malt flavor.
Live Oak’s Big Bark amber lager is another longtime local favorite, medium-bodied with balanced malt and hop flavor. Live Oak also pays homage to classic German beer styles with their Hefeweizen, perfect for sipping during Texas spring and summer.
While Live Oak made its name with lagers, they’ve also started branching into ales recently. Their rotating Liberation series explores diverse ale styles from IPAs to wild ales aged in wine barrels. Live Oak doesn’t offer a proper taproom, but you can grab beers to-go from the brewery store or find their top releases at better craft beer bars in Austin.
4. (512) Brewing Company – Austin
Named for the Austin area code, (512) Brewing mixes brewing creativity with local pride. Since first launching in 2008, (512) has grown into the largest craft brewery in Austin.
One standout is (512)’s flagship Pecan Porter, made with locally-sourced pecans. It’s dark, nutty, and perfect for chilly Texas nights. For warmer weather, (512)brews some great IPAs like Six H.R.I.P.A., generously hopped with Mosaic and Centennial for notes of mango and citrus.
Beyond beers, (512) also operates a popular brewpub on Austin’s east side with a spacious beer garden. Tour the brewery, grab drinks and live music on the patio, or try your hand at axe throwing! (512)’s urban location makes it easy to combine brewery hopping with experiencing other sides of Austin.
5. Houston Brewery Tours
With multiple craft breweries clustered together, many Texas cities lend themselves well to brewery tours. But Houston may have the best brewery tours in the state thanks to organizations like Houston Brewery Tours.
Groups like Houston Brewery Tours plan private custom tours based on guests’ preferences, taking the guesswork out of navigating Houston’s booming beer scene. Stops may include breweries like Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas’ oldest craft brewery, or trendy spots like True Anomaly Brewing.
Tours include round-trip transportation from downtown Houston hotels so guests can sample freely without worrying about driving. Experienced tour guides handle planning logistics while sharing their knowledge about each brewery. For an effortless craft beer experience in H-Town, brewery tours are the way to go.
Discover the Best of Texas Craft Beer
The Texas craft beer scene has come a long way from its early days in the 1990s. Brewers continue to push boundaries and innovate within the industry. With so many promising new breweries opening each year, the list of top Texas breweries will keep expanding.
We aimed to highlight some pioneers who put Texas craft beer on the map along with newer spots that represent the future. From German-inspired lagers to flavored sours aged in wine barrels, the variety and quality keeps getting better. Whether you consider yourself a craft beer connoisseur or casual drinker, Texas breweries have something for all tastes.
The best way to experience the diversity of Texas beer is to go exploring yourself. Hopefully our countdown provides some inspiration for your next brewery road trip. Let us know your own favorites in the comments below!
