Lee's Beer Flight
New Brews News
By Lee Nichols, Fri., Oct. 2, 2009
Frustrated by the difficulties faced by those who try to ply the brewing trade in Texas, a group of beer lovers has formed an activist group called Texas Microbrewery Advocates. Spearheaded by recent University of Texas grad Matt Jones – who, as a student, conducted a study of the obstacles brewers must deal with here – the group currently exists mainly as a Facebook page, but a website is well under way. The group plans to lobby the Legislature for beer-friendly laws, including lifting the prohibition against breweries selling their product on-site (a move that has failed in past Lege sessions)...
The real Oktoberfest is already under way in Germany, and Texans are ready to follow suit. Just about every watering hole will have a party, but here are a few we're aware of: Zax Pints & Plates, 312 Barton Springs Rd., Thursday, Oct. 8, 7pm (including a cask of Live Oak Oaktoberfest!); North by Northwest Restaurant & Brewery, 10010 Capital of TX Hwy N., all day Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, (a favorite of mine, with great food, oompah music, and activities for kids – bouncy houses, face-painting, etc.); and out of town, the Hill Country towns of Fredericksburg and New Braunfels celebrate their German heritage with huge blowouts, the former with Oktoberfest, Oct. 2-4 (www.oktoberfestinfbg.com), and the latter with Wurstfest, Oct. 30-Nov. 8 (www.wurstfest.com).