The ABGB

One of the most prominent breweries in Austin, the Austin Beer Garden Brewing (ABGB) Company is loaded with amenities that make it one of the best brewery stops in Austin. It has great food and a stout (no pun intended) beer selection. Upon entering ABGB, it is clear what sets it apart from other breweries.

1) Size. No knock to the other Austin breweries but the ABGB is like the Wal-Mart of breweries. It has it all…except they treat their employees well and it isn’t completely white trash.

2) Events. Just look at the events page on their website. ABGB knows how to throw a HELL of a party. Like douche-y college frat party good. There’s a large stage in the beer hall where they enlist grade-A local talent to come and perform.

3) Dogs. ABGB makes it a point to give back to the community. ABGB donates 5% of their profits to a variety of non-profits through their “Hell Yes Project”. We happened to be lucky enough to drop by on a day they were hosting an event with four dog rescues. Look, I’m a sucker for dogs at a brewery. Name me something better than beer and puppies.

A piece of advice – ABGB is about a 15-minute right out of downtown. You’ll most likely need a rideshare or drive there if you have a car…You know what, do not drive there. Have someone drive your drunk ass back to where you’re staying.

Similar to St. Elmo, a flight of five cost only $12 AND we got a bonus glass. In the words of that clown Ted Cruz, God bless the great state of Texas. Let’s take a look at the casualties.

Hell Yes Helles (4.5%): A Bavarian-style pale lager. For those not privy to whole brevity thing, Helles is German for “light” and the Helles lager dates back to 19th century Munich when Bavarians got all self conscious that they were losing their edge to those pesky Czechs (the Czech Pilsner)…think light and crisp. Hell Yes is ABGB’s take on the German classic (brewed using German Hallertau and Bohemian Saaz hops no less) and it doesn’t disappoint. It is a great, light bodied beer to drink on a hot day or pretty much every day in Austin.

Day Trip Pale Ale (5.5%): Using Citra, Meridian, and Amarillo hops, this pale ale is a plethora of citrus, juicy filled goodness. The aroma is fruity and intense thanks to the use of Citra and Amarillo hops, which are only magnified by the “fruit punch” Meridian hops.  The Day Trip Pale Ale is a medium bodied IPA that didn’t feel to heavy for me (I’m getting there).

Superliner IPA (6.8%): Measuring in at 6.8%, this IPA packs a little bit of a punch. It’s brewed with Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo hops which gives it a citrusy/piny taste. The wood/pine taste comes from the Simcoe hops and the Amarillo hops gives it a citrusy aroma and taste.

German Sparkle Party Pale Lager (5.3%): You had me at German. The Sparkle Party is an American Style Pale Lager, which clocks in at a lower IBU than the other IPAs on the menu, giving it a less bitter taste than the others. IPLs tend to run a little less bitter than a typical IPA. So, if you’re like me and enjoy something a little less bitter than an IPA, try a pale lager. 

Fiona Apple Sour (3.8%): Woo a sour! And not just any sour ladies and gentlemen. A God damn sour brewed 100% with Texas Honey Crisp Apples HMM!  Luckily this sour tastes better than what I imagine Fiona Apple does, just saying. This sour had a nice tartiness to it with a subtle apple taste. Very similar to the Rosa Raspberry I had at St. Elmo. The key here is subtle, not overpowering and Fiona Apple Sour does a great job of balancing it all.

BONUS: Big Mama Red Imperial Ale (7.9%): A full bodied red ale with quite a head on her. Brewed using Centennial hops which gives it a bitter, bold taste and fruity aroma. If this beer were a person, I just imagine a big, husky red head with enough attitude to crush your will as a human being but also a total sweetheart. Hang out with her long enough and she’ll put you right on your ass with a 7.9 ABV.

In conclusion, you can’t go brewery hopping without stopping at ABGB. Your trip just wouldn’t be complete. It would be like visiting NYC and not seeing a scaffold and mounds of garbage the Statue of Liberty. A damn shame and unpatriotic.