Plan an afternoon (or two!) exploring the beverages of Bastrop County on the Whiskey, Wine & Ale Trail in Central Texas!
Bastrop County has become quite the mecca for distilleries in recent years. Here we’ve gathered the information you need from each destination to make your self-guided tour one to remember!
NOTE: Please check hours or call ahead. Some require an appointment, and several are open weekends only.
The Armadillo Texas Whiskey Distillery staff will customize a True Texas Craft Distilling Experience especially for you and your group. At Armadillo Texas Whiskey, Texas Born Pride is what we pour into every glass. We celebrate the flavors of Texas, utilizing our unique local ingredients, geography and climate to influence and shape the spirits we produce. We use only local water, naturally filtered through limestone formations of the Central Texas Hills. Then we add corn, rye, wheat, and barley which we smoke with local Pecan wood. When you visit, be sure to try our specialty: a unique Four Grain White Whiskey!
Bone Spirits LLC provides authentic farm-to-bottle spirits in the categories of vodka, gin, moonshine and whisky. Bone Spirits’ state-of-the-art facility utilizes a multi-step water filtration system for both column distillation and pot still distillation producing quality, handcrafted spirits from locally sourced grains. Tasting room hours are Monday through Saturday, from 11am to 5pm. Walk-ins are welcome, and tours are available!
The Colorado River Winery offers a tasting room in the Tuscan style where you can relax, taste, sip, swirl and purchase wines produced by Colorado River Winery or shop for unique wine related items for yourself or as gifts for your friends. The winery keeps things fresh and fun with new introductions of different types of both red and white wines, made in small batches, that are only available while they last while keeping a group of wines in stock that can be purchased at any time. You might even want to join the Wine Club and get some “extras” that are only available to Wine Club members. Check out our current wine selections and come in and join us for a great time.
Copper Shot Distillery is a small family-owned shop whipping up clever original liquors in the heart of downtown Bastrop. Copper Shot Distillery hand crafts all of their American distilled spirits on-site and in small batches. Visitors can lounge on the patio overlooking Bastrop’s famous Old Iron Bridge while they taste the quality of flavors in each delicious batch of liquor. Sip from an assortment of creatively flavored moonshines (like apple pie or watermelon), smooth bourbons, or indulge in a little handmade vodka. Whatever your choice, Copper Shot Distillery does not disappoint!
Derelict Airship Distillery are purveyors of fine spirits. Come see the very first absinthe distillery in Texas. Matt Mancuso, Jessica Leigh Graves, Chris McLaughlin, and Cris Mueller are the foursome behind Violet Crown Spirits. Derelict Airship Distillery offers bottles for sale on site, limit two per person per 30 days. Bring your government issued identification, and cash or card, and get a tour of the facility! The distillery is open Saturdays (only) from 11 am to 6 pm, or contact them directly to make an appointment to visit outside those hours.
Wild Bunch Brewing Company recently opened in Red Rock, a small community near Bastrop. Wild Bunch Brewing Company is owned and operated by brew master Jarle Lillemoen. Lillemoen uses a traditional method which respects the German “beer purity laws” and uses only malt, hops, water and yeast. He uses well water and the finest local ingredients available, plus direct flame propane, which results in flavors that are more explicit than most other craft brews. Lillemoen was a master distiller at Bone Spirits in Smithville, and he helped create the processes and formulas for the distillery. You can find their beer at the Red Rock General Store, 106 Lentz Main Street, Red Rock or at Leon’s Country Store, 4033 FM 535, Rockne.
Elgin Meadery is a family-owned and operated micro-meadery inspired by ancient and medieval traditions, and is now hosting tastings on Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. People can sit in the tasting room or enjoy the outdoor seating. Elgin Meadery’s Texas honey-based beverage is also available at The Owl Wine Bar, 106 N Main Street in Elgin, which is open 7 days a week!
With fantastic views of the Colorado River and the iconic Bastrop Old Iron Bridge, Iron Bridge Icehouse serves up craft-brewed beer in small batches and rotating them frequently to make sure they’re often new and always exciting.
Enjoy a beer, live tunes, and a bit of history.
Located in the Colorado River Crossing “behind” Main Street, the Old Iron Bridge was built in 1923 by the Kansas City Bridge Co. and entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The brewery building itself is over 100 years old and nestled in a small neighborhood of historic central Texas buildings rescued from “progress” and demolition.
With the addition of their veteran-brewed craft beers, the former 602 on Main housed in a historic Main Street building became 602 Brewing Company, with a restaurant, a cocktail bar and an outdoor beer garden. The venue has a small stage and two indoor areas for dining, using local ingredients when possible.
Rising Sun is family owned and operated in McDade Texas, where creating exceptional wines of the highest quality is their passion. They take great pride in our long Basque heritage in order to create unique, beautiful wines from old country traditions. The vineyard is five-acres and a tasting room, and Rising Sun welcomes events and weddings to come view the property.
Sitting on three acres near the municipal airport, Smithville Brewing Company (SBC) is a neighborhood and destination brew/pub bringing friends, family, and community together through craft beer and other drinks. Todd Henry, owner and Head Brewer of Smithville Brewing Company has over 14 years’ experience professionally brewing award-winning craft beer on small, mid- size, and large commercial brewing systems in nearby Austin, Texas.
To see what’s currently on tap, visit them on social media.
For information about Bastrop County’s wine bars and other evening venues, see Entertainment.