BEST
BREWERIES
IN AUSTIN
East Austin, South Austin, and a few worth the drive.
Austin's brewery scene is a little spread out, but there are several strong options close to downtown in East Austin. A few others in South Austin, North Austin, and the Hill Country are worth the trip if you want to explore more of the city.
Austin breweries are spread across several neighborhoods, but the strongest cluster sits near downtown Austin—easy to reach and easy to string together in an afternoon. The East Austin brewery scene is the best starting point for most visitors. Pair it with the best happy hours in Austin or browse things to do in Austin to plan the rest of your trip.
Exploring Austin? We're your base camp. Dorm beds from $29 — steps from everything on this list.
Downtown / East Austin
The best brewery cluster in Austin, and the easiest to reach from downtown.
CENTRAL MACHINE WORKS
East AustinHuge indoor/outdoor space with solid beers and food. Easy group spot and one of the closest full brewery experiences to downtown.
ZILKER BREWING COMPANY
East AustinOne of Austin's most popular breweries. Great beer, relaxed vibe, and easy to pair with other East Austin bars or food stops.
LAZARUS BREWING COMPANY
East AustinCoffee and beer in one place, with a great patio and casual atmosphere. Good daytime stop that can easily turn into a longer hang.
BLUE OWL BREWING
East AustinBest known for sour beers and a smaller laid-back taproom. Good pick if you want something a little different from the usual IPA-heavy list.
South Austin
A short Uber from downtown. Casual spots with good beer and outdoor space.
ST. ELMO BREWING COMPANY
South AustinConsistently strong beer lineup, chill crowd, and good food truck scene. Easy place to spend a few hours.
VACANCY BREWING
South AustinNeighborhood feel with a relaxed patio and rotating beers. Good option if you want something a little less hectic.
North Austin
Worth the trip if you want to get off the main tourist track.
CELIS BREWERY
North AustinClassic Austin brewery name with a roomy outdoor setup and regular events.
HOPSQUAD BREWING CO.
North AustinLively, casual brewery with a wide beer selection and a social atmosphere.
West Austin / Hill Country
Destination breweries that are best as a half-day or full-day trip out of the city.
JESTER KING BREWERY
West Austin / Hill CountryDestination brewery with a huge outdoor setting and a full afternoon feel. Best for people who want more than just one quick beer stop.
VISTA BREWING
Driftwood / Hill CountryScenic property with beer, food, and lots of open space. Good day-trip option if you want to get outside the city a bit.
Good to know.
- –East Austin has the best brewery cluster close to downtown
- –Most of the others are easiest by Uber
- –Many breweries have food trucks or outdoor space
- –Good option for a casual afternoon before nightlife
BASE CAMP FOR AUSTIN.
After a day of brewery hopping, come back to the downtown Austin hostel at 605 Brazos St. East Austin breweries are a short Uber away. Dorm beds from $29/night.
Exploring Austin? We're your base camp. Dorm beds from $29 — steps from everything on this list.
BEST HAPPY HOURS
Top happy hour deals in downtown Austin, all within walking distance.
Read guide →THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN
The essential Austin experience — from live music to outdoor adventure.
Read guide →AUSTIN NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
6th Street, Rainey Street, East Austin — the complete nightlife map.
Read guide →AUSTIN LIVE MUSIC GUIDE
Venues, districts, and tips for the Live Music Capital of the World.
Read guide →AUSTIN WEEKEND ITINERARY
A perfect 48 hours in Austin — what to do, eat, and see.
Read guide →AUSTIN COMEDY GUIDE
Standup, improv, big names, and underground venues — all walkable.
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