How to Plan a Brewery Crawl on Austin's East Side
East Austin has become the city's craft beer mecca, with some of the most innovative breweries in Texas calling this eclectic neighborhood home. Whether you're planning a bachelor party or just looking for a fun Saturday with friends, an East Austin brewery crawl is the perfect way to experience Austin's thriving craft beer scene. Here's your complete guide to planning an epic East Side beer adventure.
Getting Started: Planning Your Route
The key to a successful brewery crawl is strategic planning. East Austin's breweries are relatively close together, but you'll want to map out your route to minimize walking time (especially during those toasty Texas summers). Here's our recommended crawl order that hits the best spots while keeping things manageable:
- Start point: Lazarus Brewing Co. (1902 E 6th St)
- Second stop: Zilker Brewing Company (1701 E 6th St)
- Third stop: Central Machine Works (4824 E Cesar Chavez St)
- Fourth stop: Meanwhile Brewing Co. (3901 Promontory Point Dr)
- Final destination: Hops & Grain Brewing (507 Calles St)
Transportation Tips
For groups of 6 or more, we recommend arranging dedicated transportation. ATX Party Bus offers brewery tour packages, or Party On Delivery can help coordinate transportation as part of your crawl planning. For smaller groups, rideshare services work well between venues.
Timing Your Crawl
| Time Slot | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Lazarus Brewing Co. | 75 minutes |
| 2:30 PM | Zilker Brewing | 60 minutes |
| 4:00 PM | Central Machine Works | 90 minutes |
| 6:00 PM | Meanwhile Brewing | 75 minutes |
| 7:45 PM | Hops & Grain | 60 minutes |
Must-Try Beers at Each Stop
- Lazarus Brewing: Their 44 Farms Coffee Stout and rotating selection of Belgian-style ales
- Zilker Brewing: The Parks & Rec Pale Ale and Marco IPA
- Central Machine Works: The Classic German Pilsner and Victory Series IPA
- Meanwhile Brewing: Secret Beach Hazy IPA and Tender Robot Lager
- Hops & Grain: The flagship Zoe Pale Lager and A Pale Mosaic IPA
Food Planning
Keep your crew fueled with these food options along the way:
- Spicy Boys Chicken at Meanwhile Brewing
- La Barbecue near Central Machine Works
- Food trucks at Lazarus (rotating schedule)
- Consider arranging Party On Delivery to bring snacks between stops
Group Size and Reservation Tips
For groups of 8 or more, contact breweries in advance. Many offer reserved seating or special tasting packages for larger groups. Bachelor parties should definitely book ahead, especially on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much should I budget per person for a brewery crawl?
A: Plan for $25-35 per person for beer tastings at each brewery (3-4 samples per stop). Add $20-30 for food and $30-40 for transportation. Total budget: $75-105 per person for a full crawl experience.
Q: What's the best day for an East Austin brewery crawl?
A: Saturdays offer the best atmosphere with all breweries open and food trucks present. However, Sundays are less crowded and some breweries offer special Sunday deals.
Q: How many breweries should we visit in one crawl?
A: 4-5 breweries is ideal for a 6-8 hour crawl. This allows enough time to truly enjoy each location without rushing or overconsumption.
Ready to Plan Your Crawl?
Let Party On Delivery help make your East Austin brewery crawl unforgettable. We can arrange transportation, coordinate food delivery between stops, and ensure your group has everything needed for a successful beer adventure. Contact us at (737) 371-9700 or visit our website to start planning your ultimate East Austin brewery experience.
Brian Hill
Co-founder of Party On Delivery, specializing in premium event experiences across Austin.