The state of Texas has over 100 breweries with a lot of them in the major cities. That’s great news if you live in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or San Antonio.
You may have your favorites yet it can be tricky to find the best ones for craft beer. As there is so much choice in the craft beer world, it helps to know which breweries to look out for.
In this guide, we will detail 14 of the best Texan breweries for craft beer and detail why you should visit them:
Also known as The ABGB, The Austin Beer Garden and Brewery has an all-ages policy and their own event space.
The real story is that they were awarded the award of Brewpub of the Year for 2016, 2017, and 2018 by the Great American Beer Festival. That says something about the good times to be had there but also their range of beers.
There are mainstay ‘Always’ beers which includes two award-winning beers which are their ‘Hell Yes’ (a Munich-style helles) and Industry (a German-style pilsner).
You can also rely on their pre-Prohibition-style pilsner, known as Rocket 100, a Pale Ale in the form of Day Trip, and Superliner, which is an IPA.
Then there are various collaborations, wild Funhouse beers, and the APA! American Pale Ale Series which looks out for Austin Pets Alive and its mission to find forever homes for deserving dogs.
Though there’s also a location in Brevard, NC, the brewery, taproom, and food truck is well worth seeking out in Austin.
Alongside live entertainment, you can also expect a range of their own beers including Cream Ales, Sours, Scotch Ales, Pales, and Stouts.
The taproom is also adept to stocking decent beers from other breweries too. You may also want to take some beer home with you, which you can do with their crowlers.
Though there are other locations dotted across the United States to enjoy their beer, they also distribute to all 50 states.
If you head to Austin, you should be able to enjoy their taproom yet there are eight annual production beers to take your fancy. That could be a juicy IPA (Hazy Blues), a double IPA (their renowned Double Dale’s), Oskar’s Lager, or a New England-style IPA (Thick Haze).
Then again, it could be one of Dale’s Pale Ale’s, a Bohemian pilsner (Mama’s Little Yella Pils), a Scotch ale (Old Chub), or a hard seltzer in the form of Wild Basin.
In Dallas, you should pay a visit to Peticolas Brewing Company. Head to the Design District and marvel at their impressive roster of beers and it should be little surprise as to why they have won so many awards.
That includes for individual beers but also as one of the best bars and breweries in Dallas and for best local beer. You could even take a tour of their brewery but there is a virtual tour available on their website.
Though there is the facility for beer-to-go orders and a tour including three beers and a branded glass, their taproom is well worth visiting.
The tri-level space has a bit of history in every corner, from the menu board to the light fixtures.
Aside from the drinking, you can also enjoy other activities such as ring toss, board games, ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, music, and TVs. You could even use the taproom as a shared workspace using their Wi-Fi.
Address: 701 Galveston Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
You may have seen Rahr & Sons boldly-designed cans in stores yet the brewery is well worth visiting.
Sure, you will likely want to try the beers, maybe even take a souvenir glass home but definitely try the wares of the food trucks or family-owned restaurants.
There may be local musicians playing and artists showcasing their work. With 30,000 square feet of rental space, if you wanted a huge blow out party, you could rent the brewery with around 300 of your friends.
If, for whatever reason, you are struggling to find a venue to watch the football game then head to their taproom and you may be able to enjoy their 20-foot projection screen.
Even if there is no football game to be watched, head there for a weekend tasting on Saturday. You could go for a midweek tasting treat too though their beer-to-go is offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Address: 7114 Oaklawn Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229 and 14743 Old Bandera Road, #5, Helotes, TX 78023
A lot of the thinking behind Busted Sandal Brewing Company is to look out for others. From the locally sourced seasonal ingredients in their beers to the range that looks out for every beer lover.
The beers themselves are hand-crafted while the facility is energy efficient. Whether that’s a beer on tap, a year-round beer or one from the La Chancla series, or even a collaboration beer, there is one for everyone.
On Wednesdays, the pub and beer garden has a $3-pint night which is well worth experiencing. If you are with the military or a medical profession then enjoy a discount night on Thursdays. Everyone else can enjoy a discount growler fill on Thursdays too.
If there is one thing to remember about an Austin Beerworks beer it is that they look out for clarity of flavor. That should mean bold and exciting beers from a range of styles.
The brewery also stands by its fierce independence so you can guarantee the highest quality beer.
If you want to get a beer straight from the source then visit the brewery and head straight to the taproom then choose between their exclusive, core, and seasonal beers.
Even with limited time, Austin Beerworks offers Beer-To-Go so you can certainly leave with something worth taking home.
You sure are better off heading inside to their taproom as there are bottles from their Killer Strains series or an ever-changing range of RAD Lab Beers.
The taproom even caters to those who want something other than beer with offerings for wine and cider. Few beers are so bold with their beer styles that you are sure to be wowed.
Granted, Lakewood Brewing Company can boast the highest-rated stout in Texas yet there is so much more to enjoy.
The beers are diverse to suit a mixed crowd including a Margarita lager (Muy Importante), a citrus wheat ale (Tangerine Queen), a double IPA (Big D), and their imperial milk stout (Temptress).
Though the beers are seriously fun, so is the brewery as you can take a tour on the weekend, though you may prefer their America’s Pub Quiz on Wednesdays.
The taproom has its own kitchen which offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and desserts (Also check out The Best Places For Frozen Custard In America). With all that on offer, you may want to spend all day there and that’d be a great decision.
Whether you prefer to mix it up in the pub or their Biergarten, you are sure to have fun at Karbach Brewery.
You could even host your events there and they have experience with retirement parties, trade shows, and corporate happy hours.
The Biergarten alone spans over 2.5 acres so you would have plenty of room to sample beers from their three outdoor bars.
As well as the brewery, there is even room for yard games and plenty of TVs. The brewery experience is well worth a visit but so is the dining experience as they have their own restaurant.
That means world-class cuisine including sharer plates such as Korean Fried Chicken, Chicken Wings, and a Texas Charcuterie Board, pretzels, salads, pizza, and dessert.
All that and some top quality beers, from their blonde to citrus, peach, and light offerings.
Address: 4834 Whirlwind Dr, Ste 102, San Antonio, TX 78217
Not only can you get some great craft beers at Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling but whiskey too.
One of San Antonio’s award-winning brewstilleries, you can find several of Ranger Creek’s range at grocery stores, restaurants and bars across the state.
Little wonder when their range covers German-style lager and hefeweizen, Belgian-style witbier, amber lager, IPA, coffee ale, and more. Pay them a visit and you can enjoy their tasting room or a guided tour to learn how they make beer and whiskey.
From live music and an all-day happy hour on Wednesdays to Beer, Bacon, Bingo, and Brains with free brewery tours thrown in on Thursdays, you’d be a fool not to pop in.
Not only that but karaoke every Friday and that’s before you look at their range of signature beers. A golden ale with the true taste of Texas, an amber ale, a hazy IPA, even a spiked spritzer for those who prefer something closer to wine.
Address: 220 S.Sylvania Ave, Suite 209, Ft Worth, TX 76111
Martin House is known for its crazy beers so if you want to taste something a little bit different then check them out. Where else can you find a sour pickle beer, a raspberry sour ale, and a gose all in the same taproom?
Depending on when you visit, you could catch a taproom only beer that might never make an appearance again. Though do try to visit from Thursday to Sunday to enjoy a food truck with your crazy beer too.
You should be able to rely on a brewery that can call itself Texas’ oldest craft brewery.
They could also claim to be one of the most passionate as they brew, filter, keg, bottle, and sell their beer all in the same place which eventually makes its way into grocery, liquor, and warehouse stores across the state.
That passion shines through in their beers which includes their award–winning German-style kölsch (Lawnmower), a Bohemian-style pilsner (H-Town Pilsner), and a Margarita-inspired beer (Hideaway).
If you do pay them a visit, try to do their public tour, make sure you enjoy the dine-in service at their restaurant though you can simply use their drive-thru to collect your beer.
Community Brewing believes in making beer and providing an environment that brings people together.
That means promoting local culture in the form of events like open mic nights, trivia nights, even yoga classes.
It also means a range of great beer including a German-style pilsner, blonde ale, witbier, a milkshake IPA, and even a funnel cake ale.
During the season, you can enjoy a Football Watch Party including food specials. However, if you wanted the taproom/brewery all to yourself then you could rent it out. Community Brewing has hosted private events so all you need to do is contact them to arrange it.
For a change of scenery, head to Jester King Brewery which is set on a gorgeous 165-acre ranch.
It may be a drive away yet if you want to experience a real part of Texas Hill Country then their brewery, farm, event hall, and kitchen are well worth it.
Jester King started out as a farmhouse brewery inspired by those in Europe and soon began offering a range of their ‘clean’ beer styles which went down remarkably well.
On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you can enjoy a beer along with food from their pizzeria and food truck.
Find out yourself when you visit their special setting and you can do so on a private basis by reserving a table, as long as the party is for 15 or more people.
Final Thoughts
Texas (Check out some Fun Facts About Texas) has so many craft beer breweries to choose from that you be spoiled for choice.
It may be best simply to pick a city and pick out your favorites. Maybe even sample a few on a single day in either Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, or Ft Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Known As The National Beer Of Texas?
While it should not be mistaken as a craft beer, the national beer of Texas is a well-known one.
Lone Star is known as the national beer of Texas and comes from Lone Star Brewery which was built back in 1884.
This was the very first mechanized brewery in the state when it was founded by San Antonio businessmen and Adolphus Busch. Since then, the beer has gone on to become a favorite amongst every generation of Texans.
Where Can You Find The Beer Capital Of The World?
Though Texas has a great range of craft beer breweries, the beer capital of the world is Munich, Germany. You can tell the influence due to how many breweries in Texas have German-inspired beers from pilsner to helles.
However, if you are after a true beer experience then head to Munich during Oktoberfest. This is the annual drinking festival which is where thousands head to the city for the beer and traditional good times.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
