Hill Country Beer Club

Austin Field Trip
October 04, 2008

We also had just enough members make it out on Saturday's trip to Austin to calculate official scores for a few additional beers. We started our adventure at the North By Northwest Brewery, who was hosting an Oktoberfest celebration in their parking lot. While enjoying the traditional Oompah, eating semi-traditional Oktoberfest foods, talking homebrew with the Austin Homebrew Supply guy (who was brewing beer in the parking lot), and enjoying the scenery, we enjoyed a few pints (or liters) of North By Northwest's beers, officially sampling three of their offerings.

After North By Northwest, we went south to The Draught House Brewery & Pub, where (no doubt due to their extensive tap selection) not much of their house brews were sampled. We had the opportunity to enjoy a few treats, including the new St Arnold Divine Reserve #7, New Belgium Lips of Faith (Eric's Sour Peach Ale), the new (512) Wit, as well as the Draught House Double Red. Oh, and FREE BRATWURST! Unfortunately, there was only one beer that all five members sampled and were able to make an official score on, although in my opinion was highly underrated.

Pressing on, we ended our journey at Independence Brewing Company's 4th Anniversary Party. A special treat, owners/brewmasters Amy and Rob Cartwright had their Jasperilla Old Ale on tap, as well as the rest of the Independence lineup, all at no cost. Unless you chipped in for a commemorative anniversary mug. Although their Southside Special Ale, a dark ale much like a Porter or Stout and spiced with cardamom, was on tap and scored high, only the Jasperilla made the official sampling.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made both the October Meeting at BJ's Brewhouse and the trip to Austin a success!

Brewer	Beer	Vintage	Score
North By Northwest Restaurant and Brewery	Oktoberfest	2008	86
North By Northwest Restaurant and Brewery	Bavarian Hefeweizen	2008	83
North By Northwest Restaurant and Brewery	Czech Pilsener	2008	87
New Belgium Brewing Company	Lips of Faith - Eric's Sour Peach Ale	2008	82
Independence Brewing Company	Jasperilla Old Ale	2008	91

Summary