On a trip to the 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Festival

Image: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D. Logo: Texas Craft Brewers Guild.

Sitting down to pen some perspectives after my first ever trip to the Texas Craft Brewers Festival (TCBF) in Austin, put on by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, I was curious to see how many of these events I've missed out on over the years.

Turns out, there have been a lot. History suggests the TCBF has existed in one form or another since 2003 - and that doesn't account for a series of events of the same name that took place in the mid-1990s. Yet, somehow, I've never managed to make it to a single occurrence.

Part of it was probably a proximity thing, though it's a pretty quick drive from Dallas down to the capitol city of Texas. Then there's always a question of weather, considering the event is outside at Fiesta Gardens on Lady Bird Lake, an offshoot of the Colorado River.

Regarding that, while attendees and brewery reps alike raved about the mid-November scheduling this year, the TCBF has usually been held in the early-to-mid fall timeframe. Of course, pushing into November makes the event more likely to hit beyond the "fake fall" and "second summer" seasons in Texas. This past weekend, Austin temperatures were comfortable in the mid-80s with a light breeze keeping things cool, especially for those seeking a respite under shade trees or the covered pavilion on site.

As for event details, naturally the TCBF is all about celebrating the state's small and independent brewers, but at the same time, it's also all about beer. Even as the market environment has pushed industry players and other festival organizers to pivot and offer a wider range of beverage options to patrons, beer was the soul sipping attraction at the 2024 TCBF.

In fact, over 200 beers were poured at this year's gathering, these the products of roughly 80 Texas breweries. Well over 50 of those breweries hailed from Central Texas, with 10 from North Texas, close to a dozen from in-and-around Houston, and a half-dozen or so from San Antonio and points south.

Not surprisingly, IPAs and lagers (pilsners especially) led the way style-wise, with stouts and sour beer numbers noticeable as well. Classic styles weren't really in abundance, but anyone seeking a more traditional pour could take solace in the available Emotional Support Beverage, a cleverly-named ESB from Galveston Bay Brewing of Clear Lake Shores.

The most popular attractions, though, were limited releases tapping periodically throughout the day, and this is where most barrel-aged beers could be found. One favorite from this group was a BA Belgian Quad from Spindletap Brewery of Houston. The list of limited beers also included three selections from North Texas, one of which can currently be had here at home.

• Odd Muse Brewing Co. of North Richland Hills: Guardians of the Harvest, an imperial coffee stout brewed with coffee from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters, pumpkin spice and caramel.
• Three Wide Brewing Co. of Fort Worth: Caramel Dark Narrative, a caramel cream imperial stout.
• Vector Brewing of Dallas: Procession, a pear brandy barrel-aged saison with pear, lemon, rosemary and thyme (available on tap and in 500mL bottles).
  

On the topic of festival favorites, having had most of the beers from North Texas, my list of preferred pours highlights a number of breweries I wasn't previously familiar with - one exception being Saint Arnold Brewing Co. of Houston, who landed on the list with two cellar releases.

And, I suppose that's the ultimate message here. When you go to a beer festival locally, you're generally looking to discover new breweries close to home. Attend the Texas Craft Brewers Festival, and you'll expand your beer horizons even further as you discover new tastes and learn about different brands from across the Lone Star State. Then maybe, you'll consider visiting these breweries next time you're in the neighborhood.

• Acopon Brewing Co. of Dripping Springs: Mina, a dry-hopped American pale ale.
• Bear King Brewing Co. of Marble Falls: Stigini, a white stout with vanilla and cacao.
• The Brewtorium of Austin: Confabulator, a German doppelbock.
• Fitzhugh Brewing of Dripping Springs: South African Rooibos, a brown ale with native South African tea.
• Grain Theory Brewery of Abilene: Tears of Osiris II, a Belgian pentabier.
• Great Heights Brewing Co. of Houston: The Drip, a coffee stout conditioned on Central American coffee beans.
• Saint Arnold Brewing Co. of Houston: 2013 Pumpkinator Imperial Pumpkin Ale, 2020 Russian Imperial Stout.
• Vista Brewing of Driftwood: Dark Skies, a black pilsner.

Cheers!