Top Dripping Springs Breweries You Need to Visit – from a Local
The Texas Hill Country is best known for the many wineries stretching for miles along Highway 290, but did you know there are amazing breweries too? Dripping Springs breweries have been popping up over the past decade, and there are now enough to visit that it would be tough to hit them all in a weekend.
If you are planning a trip to Dripping and love beer, or are traveling with someone who does, read on for the rundown on some of my favorite locations. (And don’t worry, if beer is not your drink of choice, most offer alternatives!)
Where is Dripping Springs?
Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. While wineries start in Dripping and continue all the way into Fredericksburg (about 45 minutes away), the majority of the breweries and distilleries are actually in Dripping!
When to visit Dripping Springs
Dripping is really a great place to visit for most months of the year. If you want ideal weather for Dripping Springs breweries, I would visit in the Spring or the Fall. Summer temps really start to rise in late June – August, and a lot of the breweries have the majority of their space outside. Not to say you can’t find AC if you want to!
Where to Stay in Dripping Springs
Did you know that Dripping is also a top wedding location in Texas? The good news – that means lots of fun local accommodations in the area. Personally I love using Airbnb. Below are a few other awesome options for you to check out and book!
Hill Country Casitas – A little bit off the beaten path, but offering a private retreat-like feel, these casitas are a fun option. Each casita offers an outdoor patio and hill country views. At least click to take a look at these little cottages! Quintessential Hill Country!
Lucky Arrow Retreat – This is such a unique place to stay in Dripping! Perched on a hilltop next to Bell Springs Winery/Brewery, the location is great. They offer upscale cabins and yurts, and amenities include a pool and an event space.
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Dripping Springs Breweries
Suds Monkey Brewing
About: Suds Monkey is the modern version of a local neighborhood bar, except with high-quality brews and pizza. This location features an indoor taproom with tables and a bar, as well as a large beer garden that caters to kids. Their beer selection is pretty wide with typically 10 beers on tap varying from blonde, to IPA, to hefeweizen, and porter. I personally frequent this spot the most out of all the Dripping Springs breweries. The owner truly cares about his patrons and producing quality products. Also…I love pizza. 🙂
Tip: They offer Wednesday night trivia, and a lot of unique events throughout the year, most of which are family-friendly. Check their website or social media for details!
Food: Pizza is available for dine-in or take out and the quality is really good. They also have salads, garlic knots, and cheesy bread so there is something for everyone.
Family Friendly: Yes! Playspace out back and kids are welcome in the taproom. Also pet friendly!
Alternative beverages: Yes! They also have wine and seltzer available, as well as sodas and juice boxes.
Location: 12024 US-290, Austin, TX 78737 (Picture is of the old location)
Vista Brewing
About: Technically not in Dripping but in neighboring Driftwood, this taproom and garden has some of the most interesting and delicious beers in the area. They often partner with other breweries and wineries to make unique blends. Their beers cover a large spectrum from IPA, to blonde, to farmhouse ales. They offer a large outdoor beer garden space, and large indoor tables as well. Since this location is closer to the Austin Metro, get there early on a nice day to secure a table.
TIP: Grab your beer from the walk-up outdoor window, it can sometimes have a shorter line than the indoor bar.
Food: Vista offers elevated comfort food that pairs perfectly with its unique beers. They also have an on-site farm where they bee keep and grow fresh food.
Family Friendly: Yes! There is a large play platform with a slide towards the rear of the beer garden.
Alternative Beverages: Yes! With cider, sparkling wine, rose, white and red wine, anyone can find a drink they prefer. Non-alcoholic drinks include root beer, lemonade, sparkling water, and when you need a little pick me up – cold brew coffee.
Location: 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
Bell Springs Winery & Brewery
About: Wait a minute – a two for one location?? That’s right, Bell Springs has long been a winery in Dripping, but added brewing beer in 2019. They now offer a full wine tasting room, as well as a beer taproom in two separate buildings on-site. With two covered porches and a good amount of outdoor seating, this is an ideal location to lounge outside. Typically four beers on tap, and last time we had a blonde and an IPA.
TIP: This is one of the most laid back wineries in the Hill Country. So if you like wine (and beer) in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place for you. Sunday is a perfect day here, Friday and Saturday can get busy with winery bus tours.
Food: The wine bar offers a cheese plate for purchase daily, and there is often a food truck outside.
Family Friendly: Yes, but not as much as other locations. Kids are welcome, but there are no offerings for them in the way of a playscape. The taproom does have some board games for use inside.
Alternative Beverages: Only water or sparkling water.
Location: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
One Shot Brewery & Distillery
About: Joining the brewery and distillery scene as of Spring 2020, I haven’t had a chance to fully experience this location. They have a full indoor bar, an outdoor beer garden, and are working on converting a shipping container into an outdoor bar and food truck offering wings. I did try their beers, and they have 5 set beers on tap, a blonde, pilsner, IPA, hefeweizen, and an Irish red. They also have vodka, rum, and soon whiskey for tasting or cocktails.
Tip: The major plus to this one is that it’s directly next to Route 12 Filling Station, an American food restaurant with a bar and many food options. The restaurant is super kid-friendly with a playscape and splash pad. Lots of kid food options and drinks as well.
Food: Wing truck on-site, soon to be built into the shipping container. Full restaurant next door.
Family Friendly: Sort of, but with the adjacent restaurant I would put it in the yes category.
Alternative Beverages: I imagine you could get virgin cocktails on request!
Location: 31610 Ranch Rd 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Acopon
About: This brewery is the perfect stop as you stroll the shops on historic Mercer Street in downtown Dripping. Their beers focus on English Pub style brews. You’ll find cask style pours, as well as IPA, hefeweizen, barrel-aged ale, Czech pilsner, and more. Taps rotate so will vary.
Tip: Weeknights (Wednesday & Thursday) are pretty quiet here, so if you want an intimate experience it’s a great time of the week to go.
Food: NEW – they now have a wood-fired pizza truck onsite!
Family Friendly: Yes, they have board games inside, and when we asked they welcomed in our toddler. No official kids space.
Alternative Beverages: Yes! They have cider and wine available.
Location: 211 W. Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX 78620
12 Fox Beer Co
About: A veteran-owned brewery, 12 Fox is located the furthest off the beaten path. With an outdoor beer garden and a large covered porch for the bar and seating, this is a great spot to relax outside. Their beers focus on Belgian and German European styles with a saison, hefeweizen, and Belgian tripel usually on draft.
Tip: Check to see which food truck will be on-site before you get there!
Food: Varies depending on what food truck is parked on-site for the weekend. Regulars include Ybor Cuban, Salt Lick BBQ, Gourmet Burgers, and Tacos. The taproom also offers small snacks like a cheese plate.
Family Friendly: Yes! Full playscape, and juice boxes available for kiddos.
Alternative Drinks: Yes! Wine and mead on tap, juice for kids, water, and sodas.
Location: 4700 W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Ghost Note Brewing
About: New to the brewery scene in 2021, Ghost Note is an awesome addition to the beer scene. I love the atmosphere with a nice open air deck and well manicured beer garden space. They have a varied beer selection, when we visited our selections included an IPA, Saison, and Blonde.
Tip: Since this spot is new in the area, it’s not too busy yet!
Food: There is a resident food truck on site called Hangry’s Streatery. Food choices include soft pretzels with beer cheese, nachos, and gourmet hotdogs. Check their instagram account to see what’s on special for the day. They also have ice cream for those hot days!
Family Friendly: Yes! They have plans to add a playscape area, and welcome kiddos to come hang out.
Alternative Drinks: Yes! The food truck offers sodas, water and more.
Location: 23663 Ranch Road 12 @, Ghost Note Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Fitzhugh Brewery
About: Joining the likes of Treaty Oak and Jester King along Fitzhugh Road, this spot is quite the contender. I’ve visited multiple times now and each time found a different beer that I loved. Hazy IPA, Austrian style beer, saison, stout, and more are part of their rotating taps. The taproom is stylish with room to sit indoors, with a covered porch, and huge beer garden outside as well.
Tip: This place gets busy on the weekend. Arrive early to snag a table.
Food: Full menu of delicious food, which is a major plus. We love their big soft pretzel with queso.
Family Friendly: 100%. The beer garden tables are all placed in a circle around the playground. They also have popsicles, what more can a kid ask for? Dog friendly too!
Alternative Drinks: Yes! They have wine and hard seltzer, as well as fountain drinks.
Address: 15435 Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Dripping Springs Breweries - Pro Tips
- Visiting more than 2 breweries a day would be a bit optimistic. You’ll find that it’s much more enjoyable to relax and stay awhile. I recommend keeping your agenda light.
- We are outside the city in the Hill Country, and there can be bugs. I suggest closed-toe shoes especially if red ants tend to like you. Also, bug spray your ankles to be safe especially in late spring and summer.
Have you been to any of these Dripping Springs Breweries? Let me know your favorite in the comments!
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