Take a Beercation to Austin, Tejas

Austin has to be the only place in Texas where it’s normal to find legitimate vegetarian options on restaurant menus all over town. Austin doesn’t really feel like Texas, probably due to its reputation as the “Berkeley of Texas.” I can live with that. Like Berkeley, Austin is home to queers, people of color, white hipsters, (transplanted) Californians, artists, college students and professors, rockers/musicians, poor and homeless people, people who hate Bush, voted for Obama, and eat tofu, and all that good stuff that most people don’t associate with Texas. And Austin likes its beer. Several bars have an impressive offering of both local/regional beers and imports. An amazing selection of over 65 draughts and over 100 bottles can be found at The Ginger Man (www.gingermanpub.com) in downtown Austin. I walked in and just eyed the long line of draught handles and lovely collection of bottled beers from all over the world and the US, including local offerings from Shiner, Real Ale, and Independence. It was packed on a Saturday night, so we only stayed for a drink before heading over to The Duck and Dog Pub (http://www.dogandduckpub.com/), a sister-pub of one in London with the same name. It was also hoppin but it’s not as big as The Ginger Man. It definitely has that cozy pubbish feel, and I’m happy to say that I had my first (and only) properly poured pint of Guinness there. They had a great selection of English, Irish, and Scottish ales, as well as a couple local brews. I couldn’t help myself. After the Guinness, I had a pint of Belhaven and bought a shirt.

I also tasted some good local brews brewed in and around Austin/South Texas, including Shiner Holiday Cheer, Shiner Bohemian Black Lager, Fireman’s #4 Blonde Ale from Real Ale, and Austin Amber and Bootlegger Brown from Independence Brewery. I was most surprised by Shiner’s winter/seasonal beer. Holiday Cheer is brewed with peaches and pecans, and pours with dark blonde and orangey tones. It’s definitely refreshing and reflects Texas’s winter offerings, very much a departure from other heavier, browner, and spicier winter brews. It was good, though, and next time I’d like to try it on tap, along with the Black Lager. The stuff from Independence and Real Breweries was also really good, but I didn’t get enough of a range. Guess I’ll have to go back and drink some more. Austin has so much to offer any beer fan/geek/enthusiast, and I feel like I’ve only just begun my beer adventures there.  –mel.