Biergarten Bliss
Live Oak Brewing Co.
Words Codi Chen | Photos Baptiste Despois
Just beyond the noise of Austin’s airport, hidden beneath a canopy of 100 live oaks, sits one of the most serene escapes in the city: the biergartens of Live Oak Brewing Company. With three shaded outdoor spaces, a winding disc golf course, and a sun-dappled taproom, this 22-acre property invites guests to set up for the day with fresh air and a cold beer in hand.
What began in 1997 as a shared vision between founders Chip McElroy and Brian Peters has become a cherished haven for both beer lovers and nature seekers. “When we moved to this location in 2014, the land was wild, full of ragweed, old concrete, and junk,” says brewmaster Dusan Kwiatkowski. “We spent a long time clearing it, and now we have something really great.”
“Great” might be an understatement. Families, friends, and four-legged companions fill the biergartens daily, playing board games from the taproom, tossing around lawn games, or simply lounging under the trees with a cold Pilz, (Live Oak’s first brew, and still a fan favorite).
It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place. You might sip a Polish Grodziskie, a lightly smoked old-world ale, while watching planes arc overhead. Grab a HefeWeizen and wander the property, spotting owls and ospreys diving through the oaks. The 18-hole disc golf course, a shorter, more casual loop, stretches around the property, offering a lighthearted challenge that pairs well with a pint. “You can be a pro or brand new. Either way, the game is a little less frustrating if you’re drinking,” Dusan jokes.
German comfort food from the Black Forest food truck is available on weekends, a perfect match for Live Oak’s tap list. Visitors are welcome to bring their own badminton sets, card games, or even a blanket to claim a shady corner. “It’s like a park in a lot of ways: dog-friendly, family-friendly, not chaotic,” Dusan adds. “It’s nice not having to stare at residential brick for a while.”
For those seeking community, Live Oak also hosts seasonal parties and relaxed markets that spill out into the biergartens. But the heart of the experience remains the same: a laid-back afternoon spent sipping exceptional beer in the shade of century-old trees.
“Of course we’re proud of the beer,” Dusan says, “but it’s the biergartens and course that create the feeling of getting away without going far,” adding, “sometimes,, the best escape is right down the road.”
Contact:
1615 Crozier Ln.
liveoakbrewing.com
@liveoakbrewing
