We got to meet up with Alan Ward of Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaissance Festival. We get to learn about old world style beers and the old world art of brewing. Also we get to talk to Alan about their big plans for Brigadoon as soon as the festival is over. Be sure to head out to the Texas Renaissance Festival which runs weekly until December 1st and tell Brigadoon that we sent you.

Its time once again for the Austin Beer Week. Bars and restaurants across the city celebrate craft beer and open their taps. From the novice drinkers still sipping on that fizzy flavorless carbonated water to the hardcore craft beer snobs. It’s the one time of year we can all drink together and celebrate the craft that is beer.

Brewers will be hosting dinners, parings and special tapping events from October 25^th through November 3^rd and it all kicks off with a big celebration at Craft Pride. Don’t forget to check out the 5^th Anniversary Party for 512 Brewing and the 45^th Anniversary for the Draught House Pub both on Saturday October 26^th.

With so many events going on, how does one keep updated? Well the great folks that organize Austin Beer Week have you covered. Their website not only has all of the events listed and broken down by each day, they also give fellow attendees the opportunity to create their own itinerary of events for the week. While you’re out don’t forget to support your local brewery.

Check out all of the great Austin Beer Week events: https://austinbeerweek.com/2013/calendar

The Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado wrapped up today with the awards ceremony and breweries waited anxiously as the winners were announced. 37 Texas breweries flew to Denver to be represented and we’re proud to say that 9 will be coming back to Texas with medals including 4 gold’s. A big hats off to all of the Texas brewers and their hard work.

Gold Medal Winners:

Austin Beerworks, Black Thunder – German-Style Schwarzbier

Cedar Creek Brewery, Cedar Creek Belgian Style Dubbel – Belgian-Style Abbey Ale

Community Beer Co, Public Ale – Extra Special Bitter

Namaste Brewing (Whip In), Bitterama – Herb and Spice Beer

Silver Medal Winners:

Real Ale Brewing Co., Brewers Cut Altbier – German-Style Altbier

Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Saint Arnold Summer Pils – Munich-Style Helles

Bronze Medal Winners:

Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, Elba – Herb and Spice Beer

Jester King Brewery, Atrial Rubicite – Belgian-Style Lambic or Sour Ale

Pinthouse Pizza, Blind Jake – Brown Porter

Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Saint Arnold Weedwacker – German-Style Wheat Ale

To see a complete list of award winners please visit:

http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/winners/

We headed to Dripping Springs, TX to check out the construction of the new brewery for Twisted X Brewing Co. We also got to chat with Shane Bordeau and Jim Sampson about the brewery and the beers they are putting out. The brewery opens in November and they have a big party planned so stay tuned for some great things from these guys.