Big Bend Brewing Launches Austin, TX Distribution

On June 1, the taste of Big Bend will be coming to Central Texas, as Big Bend Brewing Co. launches Austin distribution in partnership with Brown Distributing Co. Inc.

Many Austinites will be familiar with BBBC’s brewmaster, Steve Anderson, a Texas craft beer pioneer. Steve was part of the group of brewers who effectively lobbied the Texas Legislature to pass H.B. 1425 in September of 1993, legalizing brewpubs for the first time in Texas since the end of Prohibition. Steve worked with Billy Forrester at Waterloo Brewing Company, Texas’s first brewpub. After Waterloo closed, he brewed at Austin’s own Live Oak Brewing Company for over a decade. Steve has been a Texas craft beer powerhouse since before there was craft beer in Texas.

When Steve finally had had enough of traffic on I-35, he decided to head out west to become Big Bend Brewing Co.’s first brewmaster. Inspired by the people, climate and spirit of his new home, Steve created 5 classic, year-round beers, the Tejas Lager, Terlingua Golden Ale, La Frontera IPA, Big Bend Hefeweizen and Number 22 Porter.

Brewing their first batch of beer in fall 2012, BBBC has been distributing beer in West Texas for several years now. When the law changed in January 2014 allowing Texas breweries to open tap rooms and serve beer on premise, Steve quickly opened a tap room at the brewery to welcome visitors to West Texas with a cold pint of local beer. Austinites lucky enough to have traveled to Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Terlingua, or Marfa in the last several years have been able to enjoy their cold beer in a variety of fine Far West Texas establishments, including BBBC’s tap room, the Chisos Mountain Basin, and the annual Valentine’s Day party in Valentine, Texas.

After significantly expanding their production capacity, the most remote brewery in the United States is ready to take on the major Texas metro areas, and Austin—the home of Texas craft beer—is naturally first on the list. All five year-round styles will be available in both cans and draught, with seasonal and specialty offerings being added regularly.

Come drink a celebratory pint with Steve Anderson and the Big Bend Brewing team as they commemorate their Austin launch with a series of events honoring Texas craft beer history. Steve will be hosting a reception at Billy’s on Burnett, owned by Texas craft beer legend Billy Forrester, Wednesday June 3 from 4pm – 6pm. On Friday June 5 5pm you will find Steve & crew at Opal Divine’s Marina, owned by long-time Austin publican Michael Parker. Steve will round out the week at Texas Craft Pride on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. And of course, for the full experience, make your way out to Big Bend this summer to experience the Texas spirit and landscape in a way that can only be hinted at, not described. It’s what makes the beer taste great, the stars so bright, and the Valentine’s Day party so spectacular.

Distribution in Austin is available through Brown Distribution Co. Inc.