There are two types of celebrities in the beer world: those famous for brewing beer and already-famous people who crossover into the beer world, such as actors, musicians and athletes. Actor Jensen Ackles is unique in that he falls into both categories.
In early 2018, the Richardson native and star of CW's Supernatural opened a brewery in Dripping Springs with his wife, Danneel, and brother-in-law Gino Graul called Family Business Beer Co., so named because it is actually run -- not just branded -- by the trio. You can imagine how their star power has paid off: When we visited last February, the brewery was filled with young adults and families happily enjoying flights and pints. Not bad for a place that opened a few weeks prior.
Fans are likely to make the trip out to the beautifully remote Dripping Springs location, and they should. But in 2019, they'll have another option.
Family Business Beer Co. is opening a second brewery in south Austin.
According to a statement, the new location will be part of the St. Elmo Public Market, a 40,000-square-foot food hall-style development that's currently under construction. Like Plano's Legacy Hall or the Dallas Farmers Market, the concept will house several independent restaurant counters under one roof and have communal spaces for diners to eat onsite.
Family Business Beer 2.0 will be decidedly smaller than its sprawling 15-acre plot in the Hill Country, but the owners do plan to make beer there, not just serve it.
"Our focus in the market will be small-batch, limited release beers, one-offs of our existing flagships, and we'll be working on an exciting barrel program," said Graul in a statement.
Guests will be able to pair those beers with food from any of the other vendors there. St. Elmo Public Market's confirmed tenants so far include Mignette, billed as a "neighborhood restaurant, bakery and takeaway counter" from chef Michael Fojtasek; Salt and Time, a butcher shop and restaurant from a former vegan; Texas Hill Country Olive Co., which sells locally-grown olives; and a yet-to-be-named concept from the owners of Lick Honest Ice Cream in Austin.
The development will also have 108,000 square feet of office space, 385 apartment units and a boutique hotel. Its anticipated opening is fall 2019.
Take a virtual tour of Family Business Beer Co. in Dripping Springs:
