Last Stand Brewing Company
Location:12345 Pauls Valley Rd, Building i, Austin, TX 78737
Just up the street from Jester King on Fitzhugh road you will find a hidden gem called Craftsman Park, home to Last Stand Brewing Company, Argus Cidery and Revolution Spirits. Last Stand Brewing opened it’s doors in February 2015, in what is sure to be the next picturesque destination brewery in the Texas Hill Country.
The People
About ten years ago, Kerry Richardson and his wife Mandi began home brewing together. This came after Mandi asked her Mom what the key to a successful marriage was. “My Mom said, ‘if you want to stay together, you need hobbies you can do together’, so I said, let’s brew beer!” Their love for craft beer began with Kerry’s work trips to Germany where they both discovered that beer could actually be good. Kerry quickly became obsessed with home brewing as it also served as a great distraction from his stressful high tech job.
Mignonne (better known as Migs) Gros moved from Louisiana to Portland Oregon in 1996. Migs very quickly discovered there were beers out there other than Bud Light. “You would go camping and the mountain store would have an entire case of craft long necks”, she recalls. After a couple of years in Portland, she got the home brewing bug and started extract brewing in 1998 and then moved to all grain a couple of years later. Like Kerry, Migs quickly became obsessed, “I like the science behind it, the precision, the problem solving”, she explains, “I believe the difference between good and great beer is the attention to the details”.
In 2004, Migs moved to Austin. It turns out that Migs and Kerry both worked for the same high tech company, but that is not how they met. They met over a monthly game of poker with coworkers. Migs had been writing business plans for different brewery models for about ten years, and when she finally met Kerry and Mandi, everything just clicked. Kerry’s experience with IPAs complimented Migs experience with dark malty beers (like their Coffee Porter). Their combined passion is at the heart of Last Stand Brewing Company!
The Beers
Last Stand Brewing beers are designed to be a high quality representation of each style through attention to detail. “It needs to be full bodied and delicious”, states Mandi. They strive to create full bodied beers that can stand alone from each other as independent styles. Originally, the idea was to go to market with two to three production beers; however, the demand at the brewery for the Pale Ale has convinced them to add a fourth mainstay to the line up: Belgian Pale Ale, Pale Ale, IPA, and Coffee Porter.
Currently you can find Last Stand Brewing production beers on tap around town and at the brewery with four additional rotating taps including their rare barrel aged beers. Don’t forget to bring your growler(s) with you to the brewery so you can take one of your favorites home. Soon you will also be able to pick up bottles to go during the week (growler menu updated weekly).
The Brewery
The brewery and a cozy beer garden are nestled in Craftsman park, which is also home to Argus Cidery and Revolution Spirits. The 15 barrel brewhouse has two 15 BBL and two 7 BBL fermenters and currently houses the taproom with eight taps. They operate as a brewpub and are in the process of building a temperature controlled taproom that will free up space in the brewery and provide a larger spot to host guests. The main draw is the cozy, welcoming beer garden filled with color and warmth.
Last Stand Brewing mission is to build community through beer, so as you find yourself relaxing in the beer garden, you will also likely find yourself visiting with brewery staff. Currently the brewery has Saturday and Sunday hours with a special event planned for each month on the third Sunday. Look for Friday hours to start on December 4th from 4-8pm.
More about Crafstman Park
Revolution Spirits aims to revolutionize the way people think about distilling and spirits. Their current line up includes the Austin Reserve Gin, the Austin Reserve Single Barrel Gin, and the Cafecito coffee liqueur made with local Cuvee Coffee. Call ahead to schedule a tour and tasting during the week, or stop by on Saturday between 1-8pm during their standard taproom hours. You can also find these delectable spirits around town. Look for upcoming collaborations with Jester King and Argus Cidery that will be available at the distillery.
Argus Cidery is Texas’ first hard cider made from high quality hand pressed apples and selected wild and traditional yeast trains, often oaked to suit. Agrus Cidery recently reopened their tasting room from 1-6pm on Saturdays and will have their entire portfolio available by the glass and bottle, as well retail sales.
The Details
Location: Craftsman Park 12345 Pauls Valley Rd, Building i, Austin, TX
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 1-6pm. Special events the 3rd Sunday of the month. Starting Dec 4th, Fridays 4-8.
Pay Structure: Cash and Credit for pints or flights.
Kid Friendly: Yes – games available in the beer garden.
Dog Friendly: Yes.
Parking: Plenty of parking.
Food: Migs’ food truck: Greaux’s Specialites offers Cajun food that specifically designed to pair with the beers.
Good to know: You can scheduled your own private event at the Brewery, contact them for more information.
Check out Last Stand Brewing on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
