The Brew to do- in Waco!
Brotherwell Brewing:
Brotherwell Brewing opened in February 2018 to serve the Central Texas community with “locally crafted beer of the highest quality”. Founded by friends Jacob Martinka and David Stoneking, it aims “to bring Central Texans closer to the brewing experience”. True to its commitment to the community, the brewery regularly hosts events at the taproom. Beers are available for purchase by the pint, pitcher or sampler flight. Rotating food trucks provide lunch options when possible.
http://www.brotherwell.com/home
Favorite- Act of Faith (Act of Faith by Brotherwell Brewing is a Belgian Tripel 8.5% ABV, it is named both for the trail in Cameron Park and in homage to the European monasteries that have traditionally brewed this style of beer.)
Check out the Eastside Market twice a month - The Eastside Market is a monthly event in East Waco Created to provide artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, and guests with a community space to share their goods and connect with others. They started as a small collection of local vendors with the idea that by coming together we could build a community that would support all the growing creative scenes in our city. They have the Eastside Market every first & third Sunday of the month in partnership with Brotherwell Brewing at 400 East Bridge st. )
Tuesdays Beer Garden Yoga @ Brotherwell Brewing 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Join Brooke Garcia in Brotherwell’s beer garden for instructor-led yoga. Bring your own mat. $10 ticket includes a drink ticket redeemable in the taproom for a beer or non-alcoholic beverage.
MUSIC BINGO @ Brotherwell Brewing 7:00 PM 9:00 PM
Join Brotherwell every Wednesday for Music Bingo! They curate themed categories and provide you a song list to build your own bingo board. Then you sit back, sing along, and wait to win free beer prizes.
Waco Famous Trivia Night @ Brotherwell Brewing 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
It’s time to put beers and brains together for Brotherwell’s Thursday trivia night because every week Waco famous guest hosts bring the freshest facts in town. Teams can win prizes, earn pride points, and enjoy their favorite taproom beers
An Aside - Why is it called a Beer Garden?
Changes in 16th-century Bavarian brewing laws prohibited brewing during summer while also encouraging breweries to expand their underground cellars to maintain beer supply during those months. Above these cellars, large trees were planted to shade and cool the grounds below and, in short turn, became popular afternoon drinking spots. In protest to dwindling sales, taverns forced laws that restricted these breweries from selling any food beyond bread but soon people were packing a picnic to enjoy on the brewery grounds thus creating the original biergartens, or beer gardens. http://www.brotherwell.com/taproom
Beer gardens are a beloved tradition in Central Europe- they are part of the beer culture and are places where people meet during hot summer days to enjoy each other's company alongside delicious beer and food. Building a traditional brewery requires having a beer garden next to it.
Beer gardens began as lounging, family-friendly outdoor spots that encouraged patrons to relax and linger at the brewery. As they developed in America during the 1840s through the 1870s, food, music, games, and other entertainment often were part of the attraction.
And beer gardens in Waco continue this tradition today.
Pivovar:
Pivovar features a brewery, restaurant, beer garden, bakery, hotel and beer spa. The main floor showcases a traditional Czech brewery specialized for bottom fermented Czech Pilsner lagers. Pivovar is cutting-edge facility implemented in the historical building "New Katy hotel" located in Downtown Waco, immediately next door to the famous Magnolia Silos. https://www.pivovar.com/brewery
Pivovar's beer garden is one of the city's largest outdoor hangouts and acts as an inviting place for anyone who enjoys socializing over beer, food, or perhaps delicious espresso paired with our baked goods. Plus they have a Beer Spa! ( Yes, you read that right!) The beer spa experience consists of two parts. The first part is soaking in a private Beer Bath for two. In the second part you are invited to relax- and of course enjoy more beer from Pivovar production. https://www.pivovar.com/history
Fun Fact: Pivovar is a also a must visit for train enthusiasts! Historically the hotel sits in what used to be called Six-Shooter Junction, the first train depot in Waco!
ZACK & JIM COUNTRY CZECH HUMP WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Join Zack & Jim from Waco 100 at Pivovar for their weekly Czech hump, featuring prizes and drink specials!
BAre Arms Brewing:
Bare Arms Brewing is Waco’s 1st craft brewery and has been voted #1 by Locals Love Us year over year. They are passionate about craft beer and are always striving for that perfect pint. They offer many flagships that can be found in restaurants, and we feature seasonals, specials, and one-of-a-kinds that can only be found in the taproom. With over 40 years of combined brewing experience, our brewers are passionate about beer – making it, drinking it, and living the culture.
The owners are big nerds-Kevin Yackley, CEO and Brewer is a serial entrepreneur, a US Air Force Veteran, retired technologist and business executive, Kevin has been brewing for over 35 years. Keith Collier, Co-Owner and Brewmaster is a Mechanical Engineer who started out enjoying craft beer. Keith started home-brewing as a hobby, but it quickly became a passion. This is why their brews have names like Turbulence IPA , Block 5 Rye IPA, Mad Science Imperial IPA, etc!
This is also the closest brewery to my new home just down the street at 2515 LaSalle Ave so I really need to check out all the fun events they have going on!
Trivia Night @ Bare Arms Brewing 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trivia has returned to Bare Arms every Wednesday night. Do you dare take this challenge?
P.S. I did stop by for trivia night on Wednesday, enjoyed an amazing BBQ burger and left once I gambled away all my points.
Waco Ale Co:
Waco Ale Company uses the highest quality ingredients to create award-winning craft beers for every palate. Whether you’re a beginner looking for just a little more flavor, or a connoisseur looking for the rarest of brews, you will find what you’re looking for right here.
In addition to craft beer, wine and champagne is available. The brunch menu is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. They have a really cute mural in their lobby and have a cute little outdoor patio perfect for chatting in the heart of downtown! Follow Waco Ale Co. on social media for current info.
Southern Roots Brewing:
Founded in 2018, and open in 2019, Southern Roots has been on a mission to be the most accessible and engaging craft brewery for all of their guests.Whether it's your very first foray into craft beer, or your a self-identified beer cicerone, they've got something for everyone! With 14 brews on tap, with and new one usually in the fermenter, they have more to choose from than any other brewery in Waco!
In addition to their brew creations, this establishment is known for offering an assortment of traditional and signature pizzas. They are also notably Dog Friendly- and even hosted a pooch fashion show once!
I actually already had Dustin Evans on the podcast so go listen for more: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3D1W3BentVIMzrXTXNeYnb?si=bRcvs8yUSYKXZsh2nx4NQA&utm_source=copy-link
Smarty Pints Trivia @ Southern Roots Brewing Co. 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Sure, playing Smarty Pints Trivia on Tuesday night is loads of fun, but it also gives you the chance to have some of the best pizza and locally brewed craft beer in Waco.
The New Alico American Lager can now be bought at your local Waco HEB! I saw some at the one on 1821 S Valley Mills Dr. they were also doing free samples!
Balcones Distillery:
Join in for a tour of the distillery where they walk you through the distillation process that creates world-class whiskies in the heart of downtown Waco. Starting at the grain silos and finishing with a sampling of the finest Waco whiskies, you’ll learn what makes Balcones unique.
Favorite: Baby Blue
This was actually the first Texas whisky on the market since Prohibition, Baby Blue is crafted from roasted blue corn. This rich and oily maize adds new sophistication to the corn whisky tradition while keeping the freshness and verve of classic American distilling. Intentionally youthful, Baby Blue captures the essence of this prized corn with a round nuttiness, roasted overtones and refined complexity. The mouthfeel is viscous with a soft finish. A true Texas original that we are delighted to share with the world.
From blue corn grown in New Mexico to the first Texas-grown malted barley, Balcones aims to get the most out of our raw materials because they make a better whisky.
They just launched the new Prohibida Rum on July 30th during at the Surf Fest event. If you weren't able to stop by, don't worry because they’ll be releasing bottles for distribution in the next few weeks.
2022 BALCONES VAULT SALE AUGUST 20TH @ 12:00PM - 5:00PM
WE ARE EXCITED TO HOST OUR 2022 VAULT SALE ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH FROM 12:00 PM TO 5:00 PM AT THE DISTILLERY.