It seems (for now!) the dust has settled for breweries in East Austin. Which means I can now share an updated brewery guide for East Austin!
This area is one of my favorites in Austin. I feel lucky to have seen East Austin grown and flourish how it has in just a few years.
During one of my first visits to Austin a few years before I moved here, there was just Hops & Grain! Now, there are 11 breweries in East Austin. Each one doing their own thing, and kicking ass at it.
Looking for an East Austin Beer Crawl? Here is My Recommendation:
These four breweries are a short walk from one another, making for a perfect neighborhood brewery crawl. Plus, there’s plenty of places for food and the ‘Gram along the way. Heading east from downtown Austin:
- Zilker Brewing
- Lazarus Brewing
- Blue Owl Brewing
- Hops & Grain
- And end the night by taking a quick rideshare over to The Brewer’s Table for an unforgettable dinner.
Read This: The Best Things to Do in Austin, Texas
Navigation
East Austin Brewery Guide
Whether you call this city your home, or you’re just here for a few days, here’s what makes these 11 East Austin breweries so incredible, and so ‘East Austin’.
1. Batch Brewhouse
A kolache bakery, coffee shop, taco food truck, bottle shop, and brewery combine into a one-stop spot.
Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches is an Austin, family-owned and operated kolache bakery, taproom, and retail craft beer shop. The cofounders of Batch, brothers Josh and Noah Lit, turned a portion of their facility next door into a brewery where John Sydner can brew his beers.
Currently, Batch specializes in table beers, barrel-aged sours, IPAs, fruity sours, and all of that fun stuff.
This is one of my favorite places to work during the day and it’s a spot I recommend to everyone coming into town, even before they started brewing their own beer. They’ve recently added Taco Bronco food truck giving you even more reasons to love this mish-mash of a brewery/kolache bakery.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, very! They have a large outside area with lots of shade from trees.
- Food On-Site? Yes, kolaches (sweet and savory), as well as brisket tacos from Taco Bronco.
- Website | 3220 Manor Road, 78723
2. Blue Owl Brewing
Sour-mashed beers in a cute and bright taproom on the East Side.
The East Austin brewery is known for its unique sour-mashing beers. The process and taste is wildly different from a barrel-aged sour that you’d enjoy at Jester King. Simply, sour-mashing is a much quicker process and the beers are closer to their native styles.
This was one of my first Austin breweries, so they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. But I also love to recommend them to everyone because what they’re brewing is so unique and different from what many people are used to. Plus, their sours are kind of popular with those non-beer drinkers.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, inside and out! Though, it is a small taproom and outdoor area, so things get a little tight.
- Food On-Site? No, but you are in East Austin and have many good options nearby.
- Website | 2400 E Cesar Chavez Street #300
3. Central Machine Works Brewery and Beer Hall
This East Austin brewery boasts a large beer hall, plus pub grub menu in a spacious converted machine works with an outdoor beer garden and music stage.
Central Machine Works is one of East Austin’s newer brewery and their building will take your breathe away. The massive 10,000 square foot building is from the 1940’s and was once an airplane part repair shop. The beer is made in full view of the dog-friendly beer hall.
But there is also an attached restaurant serving up classic pub fare. Currently, they are not putting out many beers, and they’re not consistently able to offer their brews on tap, you might want to call and ask before you make the trip out.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, they have a separate dog-friendly indoor area, along with lots of room outside.
- Food On-Site? Yes, this brewery has a restaurant on-site.
- Website | 4824 E Cesar Chavez Street, 78702
4. Friends & Allies Brewing
Industrial taproom brewing four core beers alongside an ever-changing list of seasonals.
Founders, Devon Ponds and Ben Sabin are beer industry vets along with their head brewer, Nathan Crane, who comes from The Lost Abbey in California. Together, they make it their mission to combine West Coast brewing techniques with the “vibrant and eclectic” East Austin culture.
While the facility was first under construction, Friends and Allies brewed up its beers at 4th Tap Co-op Brewery in North Austin. Now with a space of their own, the team has room to experiment with more beer styles and work on collaborations with local farms and restaurants. Not to mention their cool neighbors such as Austin Eastciders and Austin Bouldering Project, the largest indoor rock climbing gym in the States!
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, outside only, but they have good-sized shaded patio.
- Food On-Site? Yes, there is a food truck on-site, as well as Bento Picnic on the other side of the climbing gym.
- Website | 979 Springdale Road, 78702
5. Hi Sign Brewing
East Austin favorite upgraded from the airport to a 13,000 square foot space closer to town.
Located in East Austin, Hi Sign Brewing’s new 13,000 square foot space is a mega upgrade from their previous spot out by the airport! Their new home has a long history in the beverage industry history: first opened in the 1950s as an RC Cola bottling facility, then became Shiner’s first local distribution center, In the 1990s it was home to Hill Country Brewing & Bottling.
To bring the brewery to life in 2022, Hi Sign worked with OPA Design Studio, a local architect firm specializing in breweries, distilleries, and taprooms. (You might recognize the name as their founder Steve and I went on a crazy 9 day, 54 brewery Texas Road Trip a few years ago!
On tap you’re gonna find new brews such as a Pink Guava Kettle Sour , alongside all your favorites such as Violet Blueberry Blonde and Shamus Irish Red. Finally, don’t skip a visit to the bathroom here! The sleek and modern loos have a unique wallpaper featuring some of the best Austin icons.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, inside and out! Big, open taproom with picnic tables and umbrellas outside.
- Food On-Site? Yes, there is a food truck on-site.
- Website | 730 Shady Lane, 78702
Koko’s Bavarian
German-style biergarden owned by royalty making lagers to enjoy alongside a selection of exotic sausages.
Koko’s Bavarian is a new German brewery and biergarten located in East Austin at 4715 E. 5th Street. It’s named after one of the partners, Koko— Konstantin Prinz von Bayern, who is the Prince of Bavaria, and his family started Oktoberfest in Germany in 1810.
The menu at Koko’s focuses on classic German beers brewed in house by Katie Low. Smoked meats will be on the food menu alongside all the best German beer garden fare.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, outside only. They have a large outside area that is dog-friendly, though not the shadiest.
- Food On-Site? Of course, this brewpub features a fun German-inspired menu featuring sausages made from all types of meats.
- Website | 4715 E 5th Street, 78702
Lazarus Brewing
Cozy taproom with a long list of Belgian-inspired craft brews. Plus, espresso and tacos.
Lazarus Brewing Company is right in the middle of east Austin’s popular Sixth Street district; you’ll spot the brewery by its bright teal exterior. Founded by beer-loving pastor, Christian Cryder in 2016, the brewpub has quickly become an Austin favorite and is always at the top of my recommendations to out-of-towners.
Read This: Best Places in Austin to Grab a Beer and Get Sh*t Done
For craft beer lovers, this East Austin brewery will leave you craving more. Lazarus is constantly experimenting and brewing the most-underrepresented styles of beer. I know we all say that so often, but really, this is a brewery that will make you excited about craft beer. However, many of Lazarus Brewing’s brews are one-offs, so try hard not to get too attached!
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, lots of space outside, and even an indoor building for you and your pup to keep cool in summer
- Food On-Site? YES! Some of my favorite tacos in the city.
- Website | 1902 E 6th Street, 78702
Live Oak Brewing
Long-standing, German-style microbrewery that hosts tours, special tappings, food trucks & biergarten events.
Established in 1997 by Chip McElroy, Live Oak Brewing is one of Austin’s oldest breweries. A few years ago they moved to a bigger facility with a new taproom now located right next to the airport.
Whether you’re coming from out of town, or just arrived back home, this is a classic first stop. Swing by their dog and family-friendly spot anytime though for a unique (and authentic) selection of German and smoked beers.
This brewery is an Austin classic and if you love the beauty of Texas Hill Country or German beers (and, of course if you love both) you’ll love it here at Live Oak!
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, outside there is plenty of space to keep cool under the shade of trees, or go for a walk on the frisbee golf course.
- Food On-Site? Yes, there is a German food truck on site.
- Website 1615 Crozier Lane, Del Valle, 78617
Read This: Meet the Brewery Architects Designing the Next Generation of Taprooms
Oddwood Ales
Rustic brewery with outdoor patio serving experimental saisons and ales with thin-crust pizza.
What once was a side project for Adelbert’s Brewery has now become one of the most exciting new breweries in east Austin. Oddwood Ales is a small brewpub in east Austin near Mueller Park with a focus almost entirely on American style wild ales and saisons
The East Austin taproom was designed by OPA Design Studio with the goal of being your cozy neighborhood pub. There are vintage arcades machines, large wooden chairs around hefty tables, and a custom bar with eye-catching navy and yellow tiles.
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, outside only. Their patio is a bit small but is shaded.
- Food On-Site? Yes, the food menu consists of small thin crust bar pizzas and other delicious Italian fare.
- Website | 3108 Manor Road, 78723
Southern Heights Brewing
Large and colorful taproom with an exciting list of exceptional IPAs.
Southern Heights is a colorful and open taproom with plenty of room for you to catch up with friend or to find a quiet spot to curl up with a beer and a book. Additionally, the brewery is dog-friendly inside and out, and comes with a staff that’s equal parts knowledgeable and friendly.
Overall, the beer selection is quite small, but is continuing to grow and evolve in a way that will keep you excited to come back for more… especially if you’re a fan of IPAs. The tap list leans heavy in favor of hop heads, but here’s hoping they expand to more styles soon!
Read This: All of the Best Dog-Friendly Bars and Restaurants in Austin
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, inside AND out!
- Food On-Site? There is usually a food truck or vendor there on the weekends.
- Website | 6014 Techni Center Drive, 78721
Zilker Brewing
Urban craft brewery located in the heart of East Austin’s 6th Street.
Last, but certainly not least is Zilker Brewing Company and their lively taproom right in the heart of East Sixth. There’s plenty of seating outside if you want a great view to drink beer and people watch. But if it’s too hot, find your spot inside where every step of the brewing process is put on display.
Once you’ve taken in the beauty of the brewery’s custom bar, crafted by local artists, Petrified Design, take a peek below. You’ll see the kegs and lines that transport some of Austin’s best craft beers into your glass.
Impressively, Zilker Brewing has become known for their skill in working with delicate Trappist yeast strains and clean American techniques. Their beers are always balanced, while still complex, and with a proper finish.
Read This: Trappist Beer Travels and Adventures
- Dog-Friendly? Yes, outside only seating which tends to fill up quick.
- Food On-Site? Yes, you have to get some Thai spicy chicken from the on-site Spicy Boys food truck
- Website | 1701 E 6th Street, 78702
Craving More Austin Beer?
Check out what’s brewing in my side of town with the North Austin Brewery Guide! Or get a guide to all the Austin breweries here.
By the way, let’s get connected on social media. I’m always sharing my newest interviews and adventures, fun events, and exclusive beer giveaways.
Like my Facebook page or, connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!