As word spread yesterday that Rainey's popular music venue and bar, Blackheart, will close at the end of April (their lease is up then; stay tuned for a blowout bash), many of us felt the need to drown our sorrows. Good thing a couple new breweries have popped up recently for us to do just that—and to explore more of Austin's growing craft beer scene.
Skull Mechanix Brewing quietly opened at the end of February within South Austin's St. Elmo corridor as a spacious warehouse brewpub run by Jeff Willis and Michael Waters. Willis is a stalwart in the beer industry, working at The Ginger Man in Austin, as well as Backcountry Pizza and Tap and Handle, both in Colorado. Head brewer Waters gained local acclaim at Uncle Billy’s, Independence Brewing and Real Ale Brewing, and he's using his years of experience to craft stellar beers at Skull Mechanix. There's a hearty Gully Cat IPA, a Holmes English pale ale, a Rock of Ages pilsner and plenty more, plus ciders from Argus Cidery. Rows of communal tables and twinkling lights fill the space, along with plenty of outdoor seating; as the brewery puts the finishing touches on the space, a room for pinball and darts and a stage for live music will be added.
Go north and you'll find the new Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen, a German-style pub opened by home brewers Chris Rauschuber and Whitney Roberts. Here, imbibers can sip on beers like the Sha Right (single hop ale), Iron Belly (porter) and One Small Step (pale lager), while also noshing on bratwurst, burgers and German-style pizza (The OG is made with white sauce, aged Spanish cheese and pork belly lardon). It's a little more refined than Skull Mechanix—a lounge area features cocktail tables and leather chairs, and custom-made light fixtures decorate the space—but it still offers communal tables for making (and drinking with) new friends. And we could all use a little more of that.
Looking for some more breweries to explore? Check out our guide to Austin's best craft breweries.