from Ian Mortimer's Time-Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England:
This means that within the world of PARF, Mount Hope has a monopoly on English wine. Sorry Hopfields; I love you dearly, but you’re out of your league here.
Leo v. Ursus: Wookus by Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
I had some time to kill before a dinner reservation so popped into Hopfields, a vaguely French bistro themed restaurant near UT campus here in Austin that has a good craft beer list (and cordial and vermouth based cocktails). I’ve had the regular Leo v. Ursus, an IPA from Firestone Walker, so I decided to try the black IPA version. Wookus (love that name) does indeed pour an ink black color. This is a really good beer. Citrusy hops mingle well with a roasty and biscuity malt profile.
Hopfields 3110 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78705 Necessity was the mother of invention here, as Hopfields skirted the issue of not serving liquor by replacing the vodka in their bloody mary with authentic Japanese sake. But for me, the real draw is cornichon pickle brine, which somehow represents the sharpness of a pickle with the clean crispness of its former cucumber self. Hopfields’ homemade secret mix plus paprika, a shot of lime juice, and meticulously chopped horseradish gave it just enough kick without being downright painful. After the first sip, I knew this drink wouldn’t last long.
Oh Austinites, we're so spoiled with the variety of beer on tap in town. It's a privilege to have so many choices, and I can confidently say that there's a fun place for everyone in Austin, regardless of what kind of beer you like or even if you'd prefer to eat rather than drink.
The Social Stop: EASY TIGER // 6th & Sabine // Menu
This bake shop and beer garden is one of my favorite places to go! It's always lively, fun, and full of energy, and there's a variety of places to sit and activities to participate in. Highlights include:
An "upstairs" bakery (tiger claws, fruit danish, pain du chocolat)
Indoor tables with board games, bar & wall seating
Outdoor live stage, picnic tables, & ping pong tables
I go for... the South Austin Golden Ale or any of several Ommegang's at any time (Witte, Hennepin, Art of Darkness, or my fave, Rare Vos)
The Beer Fanatic's Stop: DRAUGHTHOUSE // Medical & 41st
Draughthouse is one of the oldest bars in town (formerly called Draught Horse) and is one of our more regular stops after a fun bike ride. Rosedale is also a beautiful area to bike around with the Shoal Creek path nearby and the shady trees in the neighborhood. Highlights include:
Dog-friendly patio perfect for chilling at night
Dartboard and jukebox indoors
70+ rotating beers on tap
Quiet neighborhood outside of the loud downtown scene
I go for...the Left Hand Milk Stout or Real Ale Coffee Porter. View their tap list.
The Sophisticated Stop: HOPFIELDS // Guadalupe & 31st
I've written about them before, but since then Hopfields has expanded their seating area to twice the size it was before. The result is a casual sit-down atmosphere in the front and back with intimate, pocketed tables for classy dining within.
Back patio and smaller "rooms," some with fringed curtains
I go for... something new on their tap wall. A Live Oak Hefeweizen is also a good choice anywhere!
There's a whole slew of beer and food stops (Banger's, Pinthouse Pizza, Tiniest Bar in Texas--which is the first image), dive bars (North Loop) and even grocery stores (the flagship Whole Foods, In.gredients) that offer local taps as well, so I'm suspecting this post warrants another installment in the future.
Have you been to any of these, and did you like the environment or selections? Drop us a line if you've got favorite stops that you'd like to see covered or cover yourself!
Fall issue release party Thursday, 6pm at Hopfields. Don't miss it.
"Oh yeah! Everyone’s favorite quarterly-half-assed event is back.
This go round is hosted by our friends at Hopfields, and we’ll be breaking in their new patio area (so it’s not so “new” but the weather is finally nice enough to really appreciate it).
Besides the release of the Fall issue, there will be a plethora of beers pouring on that glorious patio. It will be a “buy the beer, keep the glass” scenario with either a brewery branded glass or a Hopfields glass for you, our reader, TO KEEP FOREVER!"
