In less than five years, the number of craft breweries in the U.S. has more than doubled, from 2,033 to 4,144. This may seem hard to believe but when you think back to how many breweries were in your city five years ago, you’ll quickly realize how much that number has changed.
I’ve been in Austin less than five years but the number of breweries that cropped up since I’ve been here has been staggering. It’s hard enough to keep up with Austin craft beer, let alone the surrounding areas like Cedar Park, Round Rock, Dripping Springs and even Liberty Hill. It’s getting even harder to keep returning to our favorites or check out new ones.
Regardless, we love beer and we have an amazingly understanding daughter who loves going to breweries with us. So if you’re a beer lover and a parent, know that a visit to your favorite Austin brewery needn’t be an adults-only affair. Most breweries in Austin are family-friendly and some even have games. It’s becoming more common than ever to see parents with a baby strapped to their chest and a pint of beer in their hands in a tap room. Plus, never underestimate how enthralled a child can be at the sight of huge fermentation tanks.
As always, it’s best to exercise good judgment when taking your child to a brewery, or anywhere for that matter! When heavy machinery is involved, including boiling water and giant grain mills, it’s best to keep your kiddos nearby and under control.
Below is a list of breweries I’ve ventured to, flying my parent flag proudly.
407 Radam Ln, Austin, TX 78745
Beer to try: Pecan Porter, especially if it’s on nitro
Do they serve food?: Not sure! They’re only open for 3 hours a week.
Did I take my kid?: N/A. The tap room at (512) is only open on Saturdays from 11am – 2pm. Theoretically, those are prime kid-out-of-the-house hours. But I haven’t been there because any time I think of going, it’s either after 2pm or not a Saturday;.
10615 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
Beer to try: Long Walk Grapefruit IPA
Do they serve food? They usually have a food truck on weekends. Bonus: they open at 8am every day to serve coffee.
Did I take my kid?: Yes. We went on a chilly Saturday afternoon and played Battleship while enjoying 4th Tap’s rotating selections. I had a Porter that was 9.5% alcohol which made me very happy. There’s a friendly dog roaming around who loved the attention Lucy paid him.
1305 W. Oltorf, Austin, TX 78704
Beer to try: Big Mama Red
Do they serve food?: Yes, their pizza game is pretty solid and their sandwiches could feed an army. Also, deviled eggs…
Did I take my kid?: Yes. The ABGB is one of the more family-friendly brewpubs because they have lots of room, live music and delicious pizza.
2314 Rutland Dr. #100, Austin, TX 78758
Beer to try: Black Rhino
Do they serve food?: They usually have a food truck on weekends
Did I take my kid?: Yes, BUT it was a special event. Adelbert’s is one of those breweries-in-a-warehouse that are pretty common here in Austin. It’s not as large as some of the other spaces so a kiddo can be overwhelmed if it’s a crowd. However, if the weather is right, there’s plenty of space to relax outside.
3009 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Beer to try: Pearl Snap or whatever seasonal they have on tap.
Do they serve food?: They usually have a food truck when the taproom is open.
Did I take my kid?: Yes. I’m pretty sure Lucy has been to Austin Beerworks more than most adults! They have killer special events with live music and food trucks, plus some of the best merch you can buy at an Austin brewery. And their beer is consistently the best in town, whether it’s on draft or in their colorful cans.
Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery
7020 Easy Wind Dr, Austin, TX 78752
Beer to try: Recalcitrant Dockhand
Do they serve food?: Yes, including a kids’ menu with Austin’s best fish & chips.
Did I take my kid?: Yes, frequently. Black Star is located right next to the Crestview MetroRail station. They have rotating tap selection featuring their own brews plus house favorites from both in and outside of Texas. As a co-op, employee-owners are paid a living wage so they don’t accept tips.
2400 East Cesar Chavez St. #300, Austin, TX 78702
Beer to try: Professor Black Sour Cherry Stout
Do they serve food?: No
Did I take my kid?: N/A. Blue Owl is another fairly new Austin brewery. All of their beers are sour-mashed, which creates a unique product line. Their tasting room seems vast and their Blue Owl identity is stellar.
2340 W Braker La, Austin, TX 78758
Beer to try: Circle Envy Amber
Do they serve food? No but they usually have a food truck for special events.
Did I take my kid?: No, but since Circle is another warehouse brewery, you would have no problem taking your kid with you. My times at Circle have been luckily kid-free on those rare moments my husband and I can snag a beer without our kiddo in-tow. Circle’s beers are simple and solid.
507 Calles St. Austin, TX 78702
Beer to try: Porter Culture or Greenhouse IPA
Do they serve food? No but they will have a food truck for special events.
Did I take my kid?: Yes. Hops & Grain has lots of space outside and in. They even have a stack of family-friendly board games to enjoy as you sip on any one of their sustainable brews.
3913 Todd Ln #607, Austin, TX 78744
Beer to try: Power and Light
Do they serve food?: They usually have a food truck when the taproom is open.
Did I take my kid?: Not yet, but this one is next on my list
4602 Weletka Dr, Austin, TX 78734
Beer to try: two extremes – Hijack Untraditional Cream Ale and Sweep the Leg Peanut Butter Stout
Do they serve food?: There’s usually a hot dog stand. And you can bring your own meat to throw on the grill.
Did I take my kid?: Yes, and her grandma too. We stumbled to Infamous after our day boating on Lake Travis. Not only was I super-grateful for a flushing bathroom, but Infamous’ beers ran the gamut from dark to light. My mother is a very picky beer-drinker and even she was happy.
13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Beer to try: Le Petite Prince or Noble King.
Do they serve food?: Not at Jester King but Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza is on the same property.
Did I take my kid?: Yes. Jester King is one of the reasons we moved to Austin. When we came here to visit, we drove out to Jester King where we took a brewery tour and learned about their unique farm-to-pint process. Though some of their beers are super-sour, we still enjoy going out to Jester King because there is plenty of room to spread out with a vibe that is uniquely Austin.
12345 Pauls Valley Rd, Building I, Austin, TX 78737
Do they serve food?: No
Beer to try: Coffee Porter
Did I take my kid?: Yes. Last Stand is tucked back off of Fitzhugh Rd. not far from Jester King. Even more importantly, it’s on the way to the Austin Zoo which makes a stop necessary for us after we’ve indulged our animal-loving kiddo.
1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617
Beer to try: Liberation IPA
Do they serve food?: Not sure what their plan is post-expansion.
Did I take my kid?: Not yet. Live Oak is undergoing a new building in Del Valle. We’ll visit as soon as it’s open.
5701 West Slaughter Lane, Suite D Austin, TX 78749
10010 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78759
Beer to try: Py Jingo Pale Ale
Do they serve food?: Yes, full menu including weekend brunch and a kids’ menu
Did I take my kid?: Yes, they even have a balloon artist there on weekends.
6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732
Beer to try: London Homesick Ale
Do they serve food?: No but there are other food places in the Oasis complex
Did I take my kid?: I didn’t but there are pool tables and shuffleboard, not to mention the unbeatable views of Lake Travis the Oasis provides.
4729 Burnet Rd, Austin TX 78756
4236 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78704
Beer to try: Iron Genny Pale Ale (Burnet), Electric Jellyfish IPA (Lamar)
Do they serve food?: Yes, full menu including pizzas, salads and appetizers.
Did I take my kid?: Both locations are kid-friendly, with arcade games and big spaces.
South Austin Brewery & Taproom
415 E St Elmo Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Beer to try: Evel Ale
Do they serve food?: They occasionally have food trucks.
Did I take my kid?: I haven’t been to South Austin Brewery yet but with their anniversary party coming up, it may be time to check it out.
5904 Bee Cave Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Beer to try: Ploughshare Saison
Do they serve food?: Not at the brewery but they have a partnership with Hat Creek locations
Did I take my kid?: Not to the brewery itself, but we are regulars at Hat Creek on Burnet. Brews, burgers and a playground are our perfect night out.
11160 Circle Dr, Austin, TX 78736
Beer to try: Thirsty Goat Amber
Do they serve food?: They have food trucks on weekends
Did I take my kid?: Yes, and she really enjoyed their brewery tour. Thirsty Planet are major sponsors of the Austin Gorilla Run which is a favorite event of ours.
Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse
1530 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Beer to try: The Green Room IPA
Do they serve food?: Yes, they have their own smokehouse.
Did I take my kid?: With their expansive patio and bbq nachos, Billy’s is a big hit with us after we hit Barton Springs.
1701 E. 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Beer to try: Pale Ale
Do they serve food?: No, but you’re welcome to bring in your own or visit one of the neighboring food trailers.
Did I take my kid?: We haven’t been yet but with its proximity to the Plaza Saltillo MetroRail station, we’ll be sure to hitch a ride there with Lucy soon.
As always, be sure to have a designated drive to make sure you and yours arrive home safely.
Hi, Any updates on whether some of these breweries accept kids? Thanks!
HI Andrea! Live Oak’s new location out by the airport is beautiful with lots of room to run around. Zilker Brewing seemed not as kid-friendly but on a nice day it’s not weird to have your kids with you. Independence is GREAT for kids. Lots of board games to play and a very lively environment