Breweries, with their singular craft beers, fun atmosphere, and affordability, are becoming a popular option for corporate and private events. Even better, most breweries in Texas have outdoor beer gardens so guests can enjoy the warm, sunny weather while sipping a cold brew.
Austin
Austin Beerworks is one of the most popular breweries in the city for both beer enthusiasts and art lovers thanks to its rotating displays of local artwork. The brewery has the capacity to seat up to 150 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. Its most popular beer is its flagship brew, Pearl Snap Pilsner, which has a light body and crisp finish. You’ll also find a huge selection of colorful merchandise and a menu full of gluten-free brews.
Independence Brewing Co. is a no-fuss locale for beer lovers to host events. The brewery holds event space for up to 150 people, both indoors and outdoors. “Breweries are great spaces for having events because the spaces and the people who work there are versatile and love to make people happy,” says co-founder and president Amy Cartwright. Independence Brewing Co. also offers a wide selection of its original beers, including a popular IPA, pale ale, and lager. A local favorite is the Native Texan, a smooth German pilsner.
Real Ale Brewing Co. in Blanco, less than an hour drive west of Austin, has both indoor and outdoor event spaces in a rustic atmosphere. If you’re hungry, its pub food is cooked to order to accompany your craft beer selection. The brewery’s signature beers are some of the most popular in the region. From the flagship Firemans #4 blonde ale to the limited-release creations like the Mysterium Verum series, there is something to please every palate. You can even bring your dog to join in the fun on the patio.
In the Texas Hill Country, visit Jester King Brewery, located just outside of Austin. Jester King is well known locally for its wild ales, farmhouse-style beers, and barrel-aged sours. The brewery has both indoor and outdoor seating options available, with a capacity of up to 200 people indoors and more outdoors in its tree-filled beer garden where you’ll likely run into the resident Nigerian Dwarf goats. Enjoy the shade on hot summer days, and warm up on cooler evenings with a fire pit and a stage for the hottest local bands. Be sure to sample its most popular beer, the award-winning Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale.
Dallas
Deep Ellum Brewing Co. is a laid-back event space with seating for up to 300 people indoors or outdoors. The brewery offers a variety of craft beer styles including lagers, stouts, and sours, but regulars love the Deep Ellum IPA. If you are looking for industrial chic over rustic decor, you’ll appreciate the brewery’s exposed brick walls and vibrant art installations.
Houston
Karbach Brewing has event space rental for up to 500 people thanks to the 2.5-acre outdoor Biergarten. You can also rent one of its two banquet rooms on the second story above the pub or enjoy the twinkling lights along the high-beamed ceilings in Hopadillo Hall. The brewery creates a wide selection of craft beers, with its Kölsch-style Love Street Blonde being the most requested beer at events.
The industrial atmosphere and graffiti walls make Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. stand out among other more rustic Texas breweries. It has stouts and lagers on tap, but its most popular beer is the 1836 Copper Ale, which is a light-bodied ale with a hint of sweetness and a refreshing finish. “We can accommodate groups of 500-plus in our three-story venue,” says Salvador Ramirez, events manager. “There’s no better view of the Houston skyline, and our food is just as special.”
Houston visitors should take the drive just north of the city to Conroe, where B52 Brewing Co. offers a variety of craft beers, including what the brewer calls “fruited sours,” which are brewed with more fruit than the average beer. This brewery offers an outdoor space under the towering trees of the Piney Woods that can accommodate up to 500 people. “We’ve done dozens of corporate meetings here. Our indoor space can seat up to 120, and we have a projector screen, microphone, and speaker system,” says Kris Gray, operations manager. “Our beer garden is a very wide-open space, but it’s easy to put a few tables together and create a quiet area for a more casual business meeting.” The brewpub’s decor is inspired by the classic 1950s American diner, with vintage furniture, neon signs, and a jukebox.
Just a 30-minute drive west of Conroe, family-owned Lone Pint Brewery in Magnolia features a rustic event space that can accommodate up to 200 people and includes both indoor and outdoor seating options. Lone Pint Brewery also offers an extensive selection of beer, including the Yellow Rose SMaSH IPA from a series of single-malt and single-hop brews called Zythophile—yes, that’s a person who loves beer. “Our outdoor beer garden is a great place to host your next meeting or event,” says Christi Brown, beer garden events coordinator. “We have live music, food trucks, lots of seating for your group, and all of our tasty brews on tap for you to enjoy.”
Not only do breweries provide a fun backdrop for events, but they also offer plenty of amenities like distinctive food menus, festive decor, and live music to make your event even more memorable. So, if you’re looking for the perfect venue for your event in Texas, consider the many benefits of hosting it at a local brewery.
