Major League Soccer fans flock to this North Burnet for the rowdy pregame atmosphere, which sits conveniently down the road from Q2 Stadium. (With nearby breweries 4th Tap and Circle shuttering, this is now the closest pregame option.) The core beer lineup is available to-go in cans, and among the favorites are the Zapatista Mexican lager and (especially) the Architetto Ruffini Italian pils. Pizza is available from the adjacent Dough Squad trailer. And this is worth mentioning: the brewery often opens early on Sundays for Formula 1 fans, and it’s the Austin viewing headquarters for fans of the Premier League team Newcastle FC. Non-beer options like margaritas and mules are also available, and a 3 to 6 p.m. weekday happy hour offers select pints for $5 and 25 percent off to-go six-packs. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Perhaps the most successful manifestation of craft brewing in Austin, this North Burnet brewery has moved from strength to strength mostly by doing one big thing right: understanding what Central Texas beer drinkers want. While Austin Beerworks makes all sorts of styles, the core focus on flavorful warm weather beers is best manifested in the classic Pearl Snap German pils and the Peacemaker ale, which is so crushable that it is humorously available in 99-can packs. At the taproom, there’s a workhorse food truck (Can-Tina) serving burgers, nachos, salads, and tacos, a number of experimental small batch taps, and a large seating area that remains packed most weekends. The brewery also expanded recently with a second location in northwest Austin, which has a kid’s playground, wine and cider options, and even a small dog park, A true Austin classic. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Austin beer scene circa the early 2000s involved sitting at a rickety picnic table in an industrial building; the ex-burb brewery experience in 2023 has welcoming open architecture, live music, trivia nights, pickleball courts, Astroturfed picnic areas, mocktails, and multiple food trucks. As befits its upscale Spicewood location, there’s a moneyed vibe to the setup here. The beer, however, is rock solid, especially the lighter styles like the Honey Blonde, kolsch, and Fest Bier. These can be paired with an array of pizzas, burgers, pretzels, and salads; kids (and adults) can also partake in popsicles, ice cream, and Shirley Temples. There’s a decidedly fashionable crowd here, but the staff are welcoming and the views and brews are well worth the drive. There are indoor an d outdoor dine-in areas.

The brewery-pizzeria mini-chain has become a mainstay of both family dinners and beer nerds by offering a convivial, communal atmosphere paired with a comfort food menu of pizza, nachos, soft pretzels, and (critically) award-winning beers. The multi-location brewery is best known for the ubiquitous Electric Jellyfish IPA, a hazy New England-style beer that’s served everywhere in Austin. A wide assortment of other stellar IPAs come and go seasonally from the tap wall, and the Magical pils  and Bearded Seal stout are similarly best in class. Also worth noting: bar service here is consistently efficient and polite, which is no easy feat given the crowds. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Let’s get it out of the way: yes, it’s a drive to get to the Dripping Springs brewery from Austin proper. But once there, you’ll find a jovial taproom with indoor and outdoor seating, a large lawn for kids to roam on, and occasional live music. The core lineup of tap and canned beers are attuned to Hill Country porch drinking: there’s a Great American Beer Festival-approved German pils (Golden Age), and a very nice American pale ale (Hamilton pale.) And yes, there’s a tasty, citrus-forward IPA. This brewery is also pet-friendly and has a playground. Fun fact: Family Business is co-founded by veteran television actor Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, Days of Our Lives, The Boys). There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

While the VHS tapes and indie rock soundtrack lend the MLK brewery a laid-back, retro vibe, Oddwood’s beers are smart and serious. The brewers clearly enjoy offering some sours, but most weeks, the tap list is heavy on IPAs and hoppier lagers. An extensive range of pizzas, salads, and stromboli help patrons soak in all of those beers, as does the stellar Egyptian barbecue food truck KG BBQ. For non-beer-drinkers, there’s a reasonable wine list here, too. For the kids (or for you) there’s a free-play arcade room here with NBA Jam, Ms. Pac Man, and more. Check the website for events like live comedy and even a horror movie night. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This MLK-183 neighborhood favorite is a good stop for those who enjoy IPAs — the tropical Tahitian Dreamin’ is a must order. Among other offerings, the malty and mild Where’s My Flannel is a longstanding pub favorite. A warehouse-style taproom has extensive indoor seating and a few picnic tables outdoors, and service is friendly. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Clarksville-adjacent brewery from the Better Half/Brew & Brew/Little Brother/Bummer Burrito teams succeeds by understanding modern Austin. The beer lineup is forward-thinking and creative, while its social media and general vibe alludes to a slacker ethos at heart; if the brewery was an indie band, it’d be Pavement. The food menu satisfies perennial bar cravings: smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and wings, and there are a few vegetarian options like chana masala Frito pise. For beer, the House Beer is a certified porch pounder, and the Dog Days Fresh Hop IPA series is a must. There’s a huge patio for friendly gatherings, and it’s a great pre-game spot before downtown events. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The East Sixth brewery has become an East Austin staple by producing crowd-pleasing beers — mostly in lighter styles — and canning quite a few for backyard and picnic consumption. While the interior of the taproom is fairly small due to the central location, there’s a generous patio to perch on, complete with fried chicken (and tempeh) sandwiches and tots from the on-site truck Spicy Boys. The staff is friendly, and the brand’s light and refreshing style will appeal to a variety of tastes. Try the Parks and Rec pale and the Icy Boys, an outstanding rice lager collaboration with Spicy Boys. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This fancier East Austin taproom is a favorite of discerning drinkers. The bar area feels downright formal, as though someone grabbed an old Chicago tavern and tucked it onto East Sixth, a feeling strengthened by the religious imagery (the brewery was co-founded by a Montana pastor). Pilsners and lagers dominate the list, showing an appreciation for both Austin’s weather and the art of doing the basics right. There’s also a solid coffee program here and a smart menu of tacos and tortas, making the space a vital all-day hang destination. Lazarus opened a second location on Airport Boulevard in the former I Luv Video space late last year with 15 taps, wine and coffee options, and a menu focusing on Mexican food. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Last year, Hi Sign left its rough-hewn warehouse by the airport and moved to a more central location in Govalle. The beers are calibrated to Austin’s warm weather, which means there are lighter styles along with dank IPAs and imperial stouts for those who partake. Service is warm in the spacious modern taproom, and staffers are happy to suggest favorites or offer a small sample to help patrons decide. There’s also a large outdoor area with picnic tables and food trucks Norte ATX and Ranch Hand for larger group get-togethers. Check the events calendar for regular comedy and trivia nights. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

While Fitzhugh Road has no shortage of brewery options, this Hill Country brewery succeeds by giving the people what they want. The food menu has staples like tacos, quesadillas, flautas, and chips and guacamole. There are ice cream, a play area, and board games available for the kids. Year-round taps include approachable and quite flavorful Mexican Lagers (Paz and La Violeta) and a crisp, balanced pilsner (Pibble). There’s a huge outdoor space with a tree canopy and picnic tables. And for the beer nerds, there are experimental taps, firkins, and local ingredient sourced “wildcraft” offerings to try. There’s even bluegrass music on Sundays. All in all, a thoughtful spot that will appeal to casual and serious beer drinkers alike. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The Hill Country brewery’s evolution from cult status to an all-around gathering spot appears to be complete. Once solely focused on farmhouse and wild beers, the brewery now offers several “clean” beer selections in the lager and pilsner categories, alongside curated picks of wines and ciders. The kitchen side still has the usual selection of pizzas and baked goods, and the new JK Quik Kitchen food truck offers bar fare like burgers and fries. There are also walking trails and quite a few goats, a rabbit, and two roaming cats on the property. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas. [Disclosure: Tom Thornton is an investor in Jester King.]

While best known for its crisp and sessionable Carl Kolsch, the East Congress brewery brews a wide array of styles with range: there’s solid Fresh Hop IPAs, marzen-style Oktoberfest, English pub ales, and even a pink guava sour. There’s an expansive outdoor patio here that’s always fairly full. Food from Spicy Boys is available, and there are coolers of tallboy cans to go. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The brewery’s McKinney neighborhood aesthetic — industrial, lots of warehouses — gives drinkers no idea of what’s around the corner with its massive space. Upon arrival, there’s a fancy taproom, a large stage, a soccer field, and perhaps the largest brewery patio area in the Austin city limits. The food trucks are outstanding, with tacos from Pueblo Viejo, barbecue from the award-winning Distant Relatives, pizza from Side Eyed Pie, and ice cream from Besame. As for the beer, the two signature offerings are the German Style pilsner and the Secret Beach San Diego IPA, but 15+ tap list offer an array of choices. This is a great place for group outings or a brewery visit with kids, although finding a table on weekends can be challenging. A variety of non-beer options are also available at the bar. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

With the recent shutter of Thirsty Planet, convenient brewery options for Southeast Austin residents were quite limited (though Last Stand is a good option.) The still-new Fast Friends aims to expand those options via an enormous taproom. There’s a wide array of beer styles: in recent months, highlights have included the Big Citra West Coast pils and the Fritz German pilsner. Wine, cider, and nonalcoholic beverage options are also available here. The high-ceiling space has a large patio and an open kitchen focused on pizzas, salads, and roasted vegetables. The customer service is also a highlight. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.