highlight: beer
Dripping Springs, TX
As with many hill country towns, it isn’t so much what’s in town, but all around town. This is especially true with Dripping Springs the “Gateway to the Hill Country.” To download this episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.
But before you head to the hills, there are some things in the town worth checking out. First off are the namesake springs of this small town which sit on the private property of the Homestead B&B. Just knock on the door, and the owner is usually happy to show you around. However, Start the day off right with breakfast at Rolling in Thyme and Dough. A delicious breakfast and lunch spot tucked away in an old house right off Highway 290. The egg/sausage/pesto croissant is phenomenal. Later in the afternoon, you might want to grab a fresh pint of craft brew from The Barber Shop serving house-made brews and Texas brews from all over the state.
To experience the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, there are 3 must-do activities just north of town. The first is Hamilton Pool, an amazing natural grotto that is also some of Texas’s most magnificent swimming holes. Make sure you arrive early, or else you might be waiting in the parking lot for hours to get in. While Hamilton Pool is well-traveled, the second activity is as untouched and pristine as possible. This is West Cave Preserve. Take a guided nature tour down to this stunning grotto and cave and be taken into a world far away from human hands. Finally, if you want to jump into the hill country full-on, then there’s no better place than Milton Reimer’s Ranch, this private ranch turned public park is an outdoor playground with everything from fishing to mountain biking to some of the best rock climbing in Texas.
And to cap off an exceptional day, head south of Dripping Springs to the town of Driftwood, TX and take down a big, honkin’ plate of some of the best BBQ in Texas at – The Salt Lick.
Shiner, TX
Before the beer, there was the town. The town that made the beer. Shiner, TX. Home of the folks that have been brewing Shiner Beer for over 100 years. And, yes, they will let you move here. The main event in town is to take a tour of the famous Spoetzl Brewery. The tour is free and ends with free samples in the hospitality suite. But they are just tastings so for a full pint, visit Howards, a gas station with a secret beer garten.
Since you came down here for the day, you probably want to eat. For lunch, head to . (I cant help you here, more beer?)
Fredericksburg, TX
Ah Bavaria! Its beautiful, its German, and its about 5,000 miles away. Lucky for us, settlers brought Germany to Texas and named it Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg, TX is a culture clash between boots and lederhosen. It isnt uncommon to see trailers full of cows traveling through downtown and being hauled by German-speaking man wearing a cowboy hat. Seriously! Go see for yourself.
Downtown Fredericksburg is a collection of shops offering just about everything you can imagine. From lady-friendly candles (Circle E Candles) and home accessories, to man-friendly beer and brats (Fredericksburg Brewing Company) and brats. If you are looking for the full German food experience, look no further than The Auslander, an authentic German restaurant in the heart of town.
One thing you cant miss when visiting is the National Museum of the Pacific War. Believe it or not, the national museum commemorating the Pacific combat of WWII is in Fredericksburg. The museum has complete war machines, like a B-12 bomber, tanks, and a Japanese pygmy submarines.
For outdoor-minded folks, head north of town to Enchanted Rock, a stunning pink granite dome rising out of the Texas hill country.
