Where have you been all my life, Austin, Texas? Where?!
The Gingerman
I am long overdue discovering the charms of Austin — beer, cycling, running and, of course, South By Southwest. I’ve found the amount of Beer Runners in Austin could fill this blog for years. In the coming weeks you’ll meet some I’ve crossed paths with at the SXSW Interactive conference.
I met local beer runner Chad Costello on the sun-soaked downtown patio of the mighty Ginger Man. They have an extensive selection on tap, and I can highly recommend the Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA and the locally brewed 512 Pecan Porter.
Chad offered to give me a 5-mile running tour the next day of the trails around Lady Bird Lake, and stashed my non-running gear at his downtown office. I wasn’t disappointed. Those not lucky enough to run into such a helpful benefactor can use the lockers at Lance Armstrong’s downtown bike shop Mellow Johnny’s. (Or so I heard.)
After a day of listening to President Obama’s favorite Hawaiian singer play live, Bill Hader of SNL get interviewed a few feet from me, and visiting my favorite store in the world, I hit up another bar: The Draught House. Just another day at SXSW.
True to its name, the Draught House has an impressive selection of beer on tap, from Dogfish Head to New Belgium to Left Hand and their own delicious Hop Gold. Now as you read this I’ll be on my way home.
So long, SXSW and Austin. You left a bitter taste in my mouth, in a good way. See you next year.
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