We love Texas. And we love beer. This past Saturday we got to spend a perfect afternoon combining these two loves with the folks over at Craft Pride on Rainey Street.  When we first walked in to the bar, we were amazed by all the little touches the owners, homebrewers Brandy and JT, had conceptualized and brought to life. From the beer bottle chandeliers to the velvety wallpaper, it was clear that every aspect of the bar had been hand-picked with a unique vision in mind. There’s even a wooden cut out of Texas on the ceiling with lights marking the individual breweries throughout the state! All of the wood inside the bar was salvaged from  the original residence on Rainey street and re-purposed to serve as a unique decor. When asked about the inspiration behind the interior design, owner JT shrugged and cited it as “a mix of bold personalities.” The balance between all of the elements creates an interesting, welcoming aesthetic.

Now, personally, I’m not very knowledgeable about beer. So, after walking in and being presented with 54 different Texas beers on tap to choose from, it’s safe to say that I was a little bit overwhelmed. Usually when I’m in this situation and presented with too many options, I’ll generally just choose at random to save face. This time, however, my choice was guided gently by cellar manager and cicerone Tre Miner. I told him what I liked in a beer and he confidently poured me a delicious draught out of Llano. This man is brimming with brew knowledge, so next time you’re looking to try something new or learn a little bit about the craft that goes into the making of beer, stop by and ask for Tre.

In addition to all the beers on tap, the bar boasts a cozy bottle shop with a separate entrance in the back. Here, you can buy six packs of beer (including gluten free!), singles, ciders, and wine, which, for the most part, are all brewed and crafted in the great state of Texas.

And don’t worry, we didn’t forget about those of you who aren’t big beer fans. In addition to one non-alcoholic draft beer, the bar also serves a variety of ciders, sours, wines, and beer cocktails so there really is something for everyone.

And, if you get a craving for something a little more substantial, there’s a Bacon food truck out back run by Austin native Reid Reynolds. For this past week’s American Craft Beer Week, Mr. Reynolds prepared a meal pairing with each beer that complemented the particular flavors. We were lucky enough to try the Saint Arnold Icon Green Amarillo Hefeweizen and the smoked cantaloupe chicken tacos that accompanied, making for a delicious combination. And for you brunch lovers, we hear that a monthly brunch is in the works for the near future, so keep an eye on Craft Pride’s Facebook page for details about that and other upcoming events.

So, next time you’re in the mood for a good beer in a comfortable environment, including a huge patio, head to Rainey street to get the full experience. Hopefully, you’ll run into Brandy and JT and they can tell you a little more about the story behind Craft Pride. And don’t miss checking out the wallpaper in the ladies’ room; it awesome.

We’ll leave you with a few recommendations from the owners and Tre:

Brandy’s Favorite Current Beer on Tap: Fuego Jalapeno Pilsner or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet and savory, a mix of the Jalapeno Pilsner plus the Texas Honey Ale

JT’s Favorite Current Beer on Tap: Numb Comfort which, we hear, is “not for the faint of heart”

Tre’s Favorite Current Beer on Tap: Porter Del Roble, brewed right here in Austin, Texas.

For more pictures of our adventure at Craft Pride, please visit our Facebook Page.