Nature on Tap
Austin Beerworks
Words Codi Chen | Photos Baptiste Despois
Set back on a sprawling stretch of open fields and old oaks, Austin Beerworks (ABW) is dedicated to not only serving up their signature craft beer but also helping preserve a vital piece of Austin’s natural heart.
When Will Golden and his partners came across the property during their search for a permanent home, it felt like fate. They weren’t looking for this much land, and they certainly hadn’t planned to buy a full 64 acres, but once they saw it, they knew they had a responsibility. “Out here, so many properties are getting paved over for industrial ventures,” Will explains. “We wanted to protect this piece of land and give people a place to enjoy it, not cover it in concrete.”
Instead of maximizing every inch for development, they carved out a vision that left the wild beauty intact. The open fields, dotted with native trees and backed by a wildlife preserve, became the heart of the brewery’s expansion. And to help visitors truly experience it, they added a full 18-hole disc golf course, carefully designed to wind through the landscape without disturbing the ecosystem.
“The course became this really symbiotic thing,” Will says. “Families come out, disc golfers, and hikers, too. Everyone gets to enjoy the land exactly as it is.”
That thoughtful approach has paid off. The course has already hosted major events, including U.S. Women’s Disc Golf Championship and Open at Austin, drawing the sport’s top players to this unlikely green pocket in the outskirts of the city.
Of course, there’s more to do than toss discs. Kids climb playscapes under the shade of trees. The scent of sizzling tacos and fresh pizza from La Taquicardia and Obsidian Pizza drift across the picnic tables, while watch parties for UT and FC games light up the brewery’s giant outdoor screen. There’s even a dedicated dog park where furry friends can run free while their owners sip on a Pearl-Snap Pilsner.
Inside the expansive taproom, new beers from ABW’s R&D program, Rad Labs, are poured fresh every week, while outside, a lively calendar of events keeps the space buzzing with live music, vintage markets, bonsai workshops, and even Dungeons & Dragons nights. From pinball tournaments to Mahjong and mycology clubs, it’s clear this brewery was designed to be a gathering place for everyone, no matter what brings them in.
“Beer has always been about building communities,” Will adds. “We’re just lucky we get to build one around something this beautiful.”
Contact:
10300 Springdale Rd.
austinbeerworks.com
@austinbeerworks
