SHOPPING AND DINING
hours and current event schedule.
Thirsty Planet Brewing Company
11160 Circle Dr., Austin
512-579-0679
www.thirstyplanet.net
Thirsty Planet is an environmentally savvy
brewery that was founded in 1993 with
the goal of combining beer, passion,
purpose, and honor. Thus, part of their
sales from Yellow Armadillo Wheat is
donated to local cancer research groups
and sales from Thirsty Goat Amber go
towards purchasing farm animals for
communities in third-world countries.
Thirsty Planet’s year-round beers include:
Buckethead IPA, the popular Thirsty
Goat Amber, and the Yellow Armadillo
Wheat. Seasonal offerings are: Double
Buckethead IPA, Doctor, Hatcha’Dillo,
and many others. Tours are available
with tickets purchased from the website.
Twisted X Brewing Company
23455 W. RR 150, Dripping Springs
512- 829-5323
www.texmexbeer.com
Another new Austin brewery (founded in
2011) and now in a brand new building
in Dripping Springs, Twisted X not only
has the best URL ever ( texmexbeer.com),
but it also offers year-round beers with
decidedly creative names like: Cow
Creek Premium Tex Mex Dark Lager,
Fuego Jalapeno-Infused Tex Mex Pilsner,
Senor Viejo Tex Mex Imperial Black Lager,
Siesta Prickly Pear Lager, and the Twisted
X Premium Tex Mex Lager. Its blend of
flavorful, Mexican-style lagers is what
earned this brewery the title of “Official
Beer of Tex-Mex” by Draft Magazine.
Twisted X offers tastings Monday-Sunday,
and tours Thursday-Sunday. Check the
website for the hours.
NEARBY TEXAS SUDS WORTH
MENTIONING…
8th Wonder Brewery
2202 Dallas St., Houston
713-229-0868
www.8thwonderbrew.com
Following the titular footsteps of the
original “Eighth Wonder of the World,”
the Houston Astrodome, 8th Wonder
Brewery opened its doors in 2013.
This craft brewery has five beers in its
starting line up, which include
Hopston, Rocket Fuel, and Dome
Faux’m. There are also several
“imagin8ion” brews in production with
the hope of releasing them in the near
future. 8th Wonder currently does not
host tours, but if you want a taste of its
line up, check the website for a listing
of stores and markets that carry its
brews.
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company
5301 Nolda St., Houston
713-750-9795
www.buffbrew.com
Buffalo Bayou opened its doors in fall
2011 as the first urban craft brewery
opened its doors in Houston. It prides
itself on “forward-thinking” brews that
are offered year-round. Its Heritage
Series – the 1836 and More Cowbell
– is a line of beers made using
classical brewing techniques and
flavors that embody the city. The
Secessionist Series – a more extensive
offering – is a line made from pure
inspiration, no recipes required. Buff
Brew offers $10 tours on Saturday from
noon until 3 pm.
Karbach Brewing
2032 Karbach St., Houston
713-680-2739
www.karbachbrewing.com
German training is the key to this
brewery located in a city that knows
how refreshing a cold beer needs to
be in the heat. Karbach is both the
name of the street the brewery is
located on and the name of a village
in Bavaria where a lot of great beer is
consumed. Come by for a tour and a
taste of lager, IPA, Pale Ale, Wheat, a
number of seasonal beers, and some
bottled specialties that will quench
what “ales” ya.
Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
701 Galveston Ave., Fort Worth
817-810-9266
www.rahrbrewing.com
The Rahr Family’s brewing history
dates back to 1847 after Emily and
William Rahr left Germany and
immigrated to Wisconsin. The Rahrs
started Eagle Brewery, which was
later renamed to William Rahr’s Sons
Co. A century and a half later, Rahr &
Sons Brewing Co opened in Fort
Worth in 2004, offering five year-round brews that are: Rahr’s Blonde
Lager, Texas Red (amber lager), Ugly
Pug (black lager), Stormcloud
(German-influenced IPA), and Buffalo
Butt (amber lager). They also serve six
seasonal beers and seven in its “To
Thee Series.” Rahr offers family
friendly tours and tastings on
Wednesday evenings and Saturday
afternoons. There is a general $10
admission fee for anyone 18 and
older, but the brewery tour and pint
glass are free.
Ranger Creek Brewery & Distillery
4834 Whirlwind St., San Antonio
210-775-2099
www.drinkrangercreek.com
Ranger Creek, in San Antonio, gives
new meaning to the classic George
Thorogood song “One Bourbon, One
Scotch, One Beer.” It’s the only
combined brewery and distillery in
Texas – producing both craft beer and
bourbon – earning the name
“brewstillery.” Its Ranger Creek . 44
won the 2014 Double Gold medal
from the Fifty Best Rye judging
competition. The brewstillery serves
beverages that range from ales to
porters, light to robust, as well as gold
(. 36 Texas Bourbon) and bronze medal
winning (Rimfire Single Malt) whiskies.
Ranger Creek has an Open House
once a quarter and regular educational
tours on Saturdays. You must visit the
website to register for the available
dates and times.
