Did you know Fredericksburg has a deep German history? If you did, you won’t be surprised by their high quality abundance of breweries, but if you didn’t, let me catch you up to speed. Fredericksburg was actually the 2nd town in Texas to be founded by the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants.
While today a variety of people call Fredericksburg home, the mix of German heritage with Texas charm still rings as true as it did in 1846. And nowhere is this more prevalent than in the many world-class breweries scattered throughout downtown Fredericksburg and beyond.
Just an hour and a half from Austin and an hour from San Antonio, this small Texas town has plenty to offer. Better known as Texas Wine Country, the beer here still shouldn’t be overlooked.
Let’s dive right into the best breweries in Texas Hill Country, many of which are just a short distance from your Cozi vacation rental home. If you’re looking for a memorable but chill excursion, create a self-guided Fredericksburg, Texas brewery tour combining the breweries below that interest you most.
1. Fredericksburg Brewing Company
- Website: https://www.yourbrewery.com/
- Address: 245 E Main St, Fredericksburg
- Must-try: Enchanted Rock Red Ale & the Jaeger Schnitzel
Found in a restored 19th-century era building, this brewery is the oldest brewpub in Texas. The Fredericksburg Brewing Company opened its doors in 1994 and has been a go-to spot ever since.
The ever-changing list of craft beers is expertly brewed on-site and there’s always something new and exciting to try. More than 20 brews are prepared throughout the year and staples such as Peacepipe Pale Ale and Pioneer Porter are always on rotation. Pair your craft beer with German food for a quintessential Fredericksburg experience.
Relax in the air-conditioned Biergarten or get one of its exceptional brews to go. Remember, in Fredericksburg, sidewalk consumption is legal so take your beer for a walk down Main Street or bring a growler back to your vacation rental to enjoy on the couch.
2. Ogle Brewery
- Website: https://archrayresort.com/brewery/
- Address: 312 Schmidtzinsky Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- Must-try: Beer flight and/or wine flight
Head over to visit Arch Ray Resort’s Ogle Brewery even if you aren’t staying in one of their guest rooms. Created by a family with a long history in the area, you’ll be drinking with locals here.
This Fredericksburg brewery is just off the US-290 HWY and is one of the newer additions to our beer scene, so this spot is the perfect hidden gem to add to your tour. Combining their passion for beer with Fredericksburg’s wine country, here you can enjoy delicious craft beer and specialty wines side by side.
Artisanal beers on offer include seasonal ales, lagers, IPAs, and stouts. What makes this brewery special is that barrels are infused with peak-season flavors to create unique brews.
3. Altstadt Brewery
- Website: https://www.altstadtbeer.com/
- Address: 6120 East, US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- Must-try: German-style beer flight
Celebrate Fredericksburg’s German heritage at Altstadt Brewery. Located a short drive from downtown, Altstadt is the authentic Bavarian brewery you’ll want to visit to give yourself the sense of stepping right into the German countryside.
This unique destination has it all, from live music to delicious food, and of course, great beers. Visitors can also take a brewery tour to see how Altstadt’s delicious beers are made.
The German food is so good here that even the designated drivers will be excited to visit. Don’t miss the authentic pretzels that’ll transport you to Germany in an instant. With a Grand Hall, Biergarten, Rathskeller, restaurant, and a tap room on-site, you can grab a beer and bite to eat in the scenery most enchanting to you.
4. Basement Brewers of Texas
- Website: http://basementbrewersoftexas.com/
- Address: 521 Clay St, Kerrville, TX 78028
- Must-try: Medicator Blue Stout with a board game
If you’re staying with us in Kerrville rather than Fredericksburg, you’ll want to check out Basement Brewers of Texas in Gillespie County. This local brewery is located inside an unassuming old house but don’t let outer appearances fool you, this place packs in a high-quality punch.
This brewery offers the largest selection of craft beers in the Texas Hill Country and their taps are constantly rotating, so it’s a great place to visit again and again to try out what’s new. Settle in with your friends or family to play a board game while you sip, or bring your pup with you since this spot is dog-friendly.
Food isn’t offered but guests are permitted to bring outside eats in. There’s a great range of merchandise available that makes the perfect souvenir, and 32 and 64-oz growlers mean you can take your favorite brews home with you.
5. Elk Store Winery & Distillery
- Website: https://www.elkstore1895.com/
- Address: 327 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- Must-try: House whiskey or a cocktail
Ok, so this isn’t a brewery but is still worth a mention if you’d like to continue to more places for great drinks on Main Street.
This brand has a fascinating story — it started in Elk, Texas, in 1895 when a 14-year-old boy set out from Moravia in Europe to realize his American dream. Elk provided moonshine and other spirits during Prohibition. Continuing today, they make handmade small-batch moonshine, gin, rum, and whiskey, just as they did in the 1800s.
Head to Elk Store for a break from the beer and instead to indulge in wine and spirits. You’ll find wines from all over the world, plus more than ten liquors that are distilled right here in the Texas Hill Country.
Sip on a Cold One at Your Fredericksburg Home Base
When you visit a brewery, be sure to grab something to enjoy back at your Fredericksburg, Texas, vacation rental. A Cozi Vacation Rentals property is the perfect place to relax after an adventure-filled day exploring Hill Country.
