From lager-focused stalwarts in South Austin to wild ale trailblazers in the Hill Country, Austin's brewery scene produces world-class beer in every direction.
The full ranking
From lager-focused stalwarts in South Austin to wild ale trailblazers in the Hill Country, Austin's brewery scene produces world-class beer in every direction.
Meanwhile Brewing (South Austin)
Will Jaquiss, a former Breakside Brewery R&D brewer, opened Meanwhile on a 3.7-acre Southeast Austin campus in 2020, pairing 20-plus rotating beers with a soccer field, live music stage, and a rotating roster of the city's best food trucks. The community-park scale and the beer quality together make it one of Austin's most complete outdoor destinations.
Pinthouse Brewing (North Loop)
A multi-location Austin brewpub known for ingredient-driven, hop-forward craft beers and a full scratch kitchen, with the Ben White flagship spanning 29,000 square feet of taproom, covered patio, and integrated brewery. The Sicilian-style sourdough pizzas and the rotating IPA program have made it one of the city's most imitated formats.
Jester King Brewery (Dripping Springs)
On 165 acres of Hill Country farmland outside Austin, Jester King crafts world-renowned farmhouse ales and barrel-aged wild beers using spontaneous fermentation, well water, Texas grain, and locally foraged fruits and herbs. The farm setting, wood-fired pizzeria, goat herd, and rustic inn have made it a destination that extends well beyond the beer.
Oddwood Brewing (East Austin)
Born from Adelbert's Brewery as a side project, Oddwood focuses on wild ales fermented in wooden foeders and barrel-aged, alongside lagers and hoppy pale ales. Brother duo Taylor and Brett Ziebarth run the East Austin brewpub with a dog-friendly patio, house-made thin-crust pizza, and an Italian wine list.
Live Oak Brewing (Del Valle)
One of Austin's oldest craft breweries, Live Oak built its reputation on traditionally crafted German-style lagers and wheat beers at a time when hop-forward ales dominated. The large Del Valle taproom and biergarten attract a diverse crowd, and the Hefeweizen remains the brewery's defining statement.
St. Elmo Brewing (South Austin)
A South Austin neighborhood brewery in The Yard development on St. Elmo Road, known for balanced, approachable beers like its Czech-style dark lager and its house Saison, alongside guest taps from other Texas breweries. Weekly trivia, live music, and on-site food trucks make it a reliable community anchor.
Hold Out Brewing (West Austin)
Housed in a 1970s Camp Mabry Quonset hut placed atop a 1950s home on West 4th Street, Hold Out makes easy-drinking, repeatable pint ales alongside smash burgers on house-baked bread. The architecture alone is worth a visit, and the regular DJ sets and live art events anchor it as a West Austin neighborhood hub.
Zilker Brewing (East Austin)
Named for the beloved South Austin park, Zilker built its reputation on clean, well-executed lagers and IPAs designed for the Texas heat, served in a bright, welcoming East Austin taproom with a spacious patio. The brewery's approachable style and consistent quality have made it a go-to for both casual drinkers and beer enthusiasts.
Lazarus Brewing (East Austin)
An East 6th Street corner spot that pairs award-winning craft beer with house-roasted specialty coffee and street tacos, run by a master barista and brewer in a dual-program space that covers the full day. The five gold medals and the Tuesday-night live jazz sessions have given it a devoted following on Austin's most brewery-dense corridor.
Austin Beerworks (North Loop)
Canned-beer pragmatists whose Pearl Snap pilsner and Fire Eagle IPA are Austin fridge staples. The no-frills North Loop taproom backs one of the city's most consistent core lineups, with over 250,000 Untappd check-ins.
Ranked across 9 sources: Yelp · Ranked by Rating (May 2026); Austin Chronicle Top of the Hops IX 2024; CraftBeerAustin 10 Best Must-Visit Breweries 2025 (unordered); Hop Culture · 11 Best Breweries in Austin (unordered); Google Reviews · Ranked by Rating (June 2026); TripAdvisor · Ranked by Rating (June 2026); Top 10 Beers Avg Rating · BeerAdvocate per-beer data (June 2026); Untappd · Ranked by Rating (June 2026); BeerAdvocate · Ranked by Brewery Rating (June 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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