Family Friendly Breweries & Beer Gardens
Out in the field at Jester King Brewery
“You have a baby…in a bar.” Pretty much. Well, not really a bar, but an outdoor beer garden. I may not be a huge beer drinker, but I do enjoy a good brewski every once in a while and I love sitting outside at a brewery with the family on a beautiful day. In honor of National Beer Day on April 7, I’ve rounded up a list of family friendly breweries and beer gardens in the Austin area.
This was the number one response I got when I asked on people Instagram for their favorite family friendly brewery. Vista is located on 21 acres in Driftwood. There are walking trails and wide open spaces on the property. The web site boasts “hyper-local food and beverages that capture the beauty and bounty of the Texas Hill Country.” They also serve wine and cider and often have live music. High on my list of spots to check out!
This was one of the first breweries I’ve ever been to and I always love going back. It’s located in Dripping Springs on a 165 acre ranch It’s an authentic farmhouse brewery with a tasting room along with a relaxed outdoor setting. Picnic tables are set under trees and out in the field. There’s also pizza and wine. Reservations are encouraged.
Another popular response to my Instagram question. Located in South Austin, Meanwhile has a giant beautiful new tap room with leather seats and modern fixtures. There’s a rotating selection of more than 20 beer, wine and ciders. There is also an inviting outdoor space with a big lawn, food trucks and a stage for live music.
The web site says, “the front yard is where we spend time with our neighbors who become friends and friends who become family.” After this last year, that’s definitely true for so many, and a dream front yard is exactly what this brewery in Spicewood looks like. There is a big open lawn outside the tap room with plenty of space to spread out with chairs and blankets. There is a food truck on site and even pickle ball courts available by reservation.
This is a newer brewery named for the road it’s located off of in Dripping Springs. The tap room is a really pretty modern looking farm house and there’s a beer garden. There is food available from PEJ Kitchens with a menu of smoked meats and comfort food.
With “family” in their name, they’ve got to be on the list, right? Located just up the road from Hamilton Pool, family Business Beer Co is a brewery and tap room with an outdoor oak grove. The brewery currently requires reservations.
This has been one of our favorite spots to go since it opened and we’ve brought the kids several times. Located in East Austin, the micro brewery and beer hall has a big outdoor area with picnic tables. There’s a great menu with pizza and a delicious pastrami sandwich and a kids menu.
The play area and beer garden at Easy Tiger South location.
Live Oak sits on 22 acres in Del Valle, near the Austin airport. There’s a tap room, shady beer garden and even a 12 hole disc golf coarsen property. A food truck is open on the weekends.
This newer brewery in Dripping Springs was started by two Army veterans who were exposed to European craft beer while stationed in Germany. The brew pub has a bakery and a beer garden featuring lawn games. They host family friendly events and live music.
ABW has a great brewery and tap room along with a patio and turf play area in North Austin. They’ve embraced the beer can revolution and have a variety of beers to offer.
With three locations around Austin, Easy Tiger is known for its delicious bakery and menu of sausages and sandwiches. The beer garden at the South Lamar location is the largest with picnic tables and a turf play area for kids.
The Shady Llama is a a family owned outdoor beer and wine garden located a bit further from Austin in Wimberley. There are llamas and miniature donkeys roaming the property (hence the name). They don’t brew their own beer, but offer a great local selection.