October 2, 2009
Cool place. More taps than anyone needs but better too many than too few. Limited food selection. Great atmosphere both inside and in the beer garden. I’ll go back.

August 17, 2009 [ Updated August 21, 2009 ]
Relocated from their former 4th Street digs. They’re now located a few blocks away at 301 Lavaca, between 3rd and 4th Streets. No change to the phone number. They’ve captured the essence of the old location without the "trapped in a dark cave" feel that I recall from a visit to the old location many years ago. Still a grand selection of taps. Bottled selections are a bit pricy, but I went there for the draughts. Excellent service. Didn’t notice anyone smoking, so that must be relgated to the back patio. A must stop for the beer enthusiast.

July 10, 2009
Original review 2/3/2008, with a few edits thereafter... Mellow yet lively atmosphere to contrast the madhouse on 6th Street after midnight on a Thursday night in Austin. Big, big bar with a long long row of taps - excellent! Service was very friendly and willing to add color around some of the local taps I hadn’t tried before; made best efforts to sample the Texas stuff I can’t get at home. Excellent varied selection up and down the spectrum; very good pours all around. Music was unobtrusive - crowd was pleasant. A good place to enjoy high-quality stuff in moderation. Very reasonable - a good value. Would highly recommend. Update: Back in town March 24-25, confirming notes above. Prices seem even more reasonable than before, even if it’s contrast from recent travels. Very much enjoyed $3 Texas Tuesday with many local selections, including St. Arnold’s, Real Ale and Live Oak. St. Arnold’s Elissa IPA still on cask and becoming a staple of visits here. Enjoy!

March 17, 2009
Been here once with a dear friend and it was a great, great evening. The back patio/outdoor area is unequaled for coziness and night relaxation in all the places I’ve been. Selection is standard and Texas-centric, which is not my bag. But I really like being here and as a watering hole is is so far above average that when I do get to the NYC location I will likely be homesick for this honest Texan institution.

February 7, 2009
An absolute gem in the heart of downtown, which is unfortunately forced to relocate by the "Corporatification" of Austin. Luckily, they are not moving far. Nice, laid back atmosphere and the best selection in town. The staff is always friendly and willing to shoot the bull with you. Hopefully their new location can capture the same wonderful feel.

January 21, 2009
I understand this place is relocating soon, but here is the rating for the original joint. Located in the middle-ish of downtown. Lots of karma. Cool beer garden in the back, lots of wood inside with plenty of seating. Many beers on tap, including plenty of local selections. I had several St. Arnold offerings including the Reserve #7. Lots of fun to be had.

January 6, 2009
Great bar. Nice outside tree filled patio in the back. Plenty of comfortable, if worn, seating inside. Beer selection is the best in Texas. Only one cask engine. Probably closing and relocating soon. Too bad.

October 27, 2008
On the basis of beer selection alone, it’s a great pub, my absolute favorite in town. Long bar with outdoor table bench seating in the back, and old, comfortable chill couches inside (if you can grab one) The crowd overall tends to be decent and pretty mellow. At-table (or at-couch) service can be slow on busy nights, and the food is at best adequate (then again, what do you expect with pub food?), but hey, you come here for great beer, good friends, and a cool place to chill out.

July 30, 2008
Cool atmosphere with a dimly lit interior and nice wooden floors and a long bar with tons of taps. Not the cheapest place in town to grab a pint, but definitely a fantastic selection, and one of the few places in town to get cask beer. (usually Elissa IPA). Dart board up front and some couches strewn about for comfy lounging. Also nice patio seating out back. Definitely my favorite downtown spot for beer and a stark contrast from most bars in the area.

March 6, 2008
A cool downtown place to meet friends and hang out. Not the quietest or cleanest place on earth - but pretty decent. Nice selection of beer, local and not. Overall, I usually don’t like downtown bars - but this one may be the exception. Hip dirty couches in the corner to sit and drink. The people who frequent this bar aren’t necessarily the most enjoyable aspect - but I went for beer - not conversations.