For the last four years we have reached out to the Austin community to help raise funds and awareness for local animal rescue organizations. We did it the only way we knew how, by inviting all of our friends to the brewery for some beer and a great big dog party! Beer, music, great food, doggie goods and services, and a group of animal rescue organizations dedicated to the mission of saving animals and finding them forever homes.

Rob and I adopted our dog Jasper from an animal rescue group called Mixed Breed Rescue back in 2003. From the earliest days of building the brewery and watching over brewery operations, Jasper brought a smile to our faces and kept our spirits high.

With the love of our own rescue dogs in our hearts, we set out to give back to the tirelessly dedicated animal rescue community. Independence Brewing Co. is pleased to announce that our 4th Annual Pints for Pups fundraiser raised $5,636 for six local rescues: Austin Pets Alive, Austin Animal Center, Texas Service and Hearing Dogs, Austin Boxer Rescue, Love-a-Bull, and Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.

Attendees supported the local rescues by purchasing an commemorative glass bearing the image of our own rescue dog Jasper. Local vendors supported the cause by contributing items to our silent auction. Special thanks to Brown Distributing for donating the exceptionally cool guitar.

We would also like to thank The Warm Guns and Mayeux and Broussard for donating their time and musical talent to the event. These guys have an amazing, original repertoire of feel good music that is uniquely Austin. Check them out online:
www.reverbnation.com/thewarmguns
www.reverbnation.com/mayeuxbroussard

Thanks to everyone who attended to support one of our favorite causes!

The sytem is in the final stages of production, and JV Northwest just emailed us some photos.

We cannot wait to get the system in Austin and installed in our new space.

This is where you, our loyal beer friends, may be able to help. We are actively working on completing funding for our expansion. While we’ve passed the half-way point, we are still getting the word out that there is an opportunity to invest in Independence Brewing Co. So if you or your friends ever wanted to be part of a booming brewery, now is the time!

Contact the brewery for more information.

Independence Brewing Co., the Austin microbrewery, received the 2013 Good Food Award for their Convict Hill Stout for the second year in a row in recognition of the handcrafted ale’s exceptional quality, and the brewery’s commitment to sustainability and supporting the Austin community.

The Good Food Awards celebrate outstanding American food producers who push their industries towards craftsmanship and sustainability while enhancing the agricultural landscape and building strong communities.

Independence Brewing Co.’s Convict Hill Stout along with Stash IPA was selected from hundreds of entries to become one of 15 finalists. Amongst such well-respected craft breweries like Ballast Point, Bear Republic, and Deschutes, Independence Brewing looked like the “little brewery that could”.

Since opening in 2004, Independence Brewing Co. has grown from a husband-and-wife run microbrewery to a talented crew of 14 with a reputation for brewing some of the best beers in Texas.

“Breweries should be a reflection of their community, and Independence Brewing is a reflection of Austin,” said Independence co-founder Amy Cartwright. “With creative tenacity we strive to responsibly produce the absolute best in our field while working with fellow farmers, business owners and non-profits to build a thriving community.”

Independence Brewing Co. gives back to the community in a unique way. Certified organic local rancher Calvin Jechow owner and operator of Six J Ranch in Thorndale, collects the barley that Independence used to brew and uses it to feed his livestock including, free range chickens, turkeys and goats. The meat and eggs are later sold at Austin-area farmers markets.

And by supporting benefit dinners like Edible Austin’s Farm to Table Dinner, and directly donating a portion of Austin Amber beer sales to the capital campaign, Independence Brewing has been working to further the Sustainable Food Center’s goals of improving access to healthy nutritional foods and strengthening the local food system.

In addition, Independence contributes to many other Austin non profits including Friends of the Forest, Urban Roots and many animal rescue groups including Austin Pets Alive and Forgotten Friends.

“It was an honor to be on stage with such well-respected craft brewers, and we are feel that the 2013 Good Food Awards brings to light our efforts to be a responsible company that produced one of the best beers in America.”

Independence fans are encouraged to attend a celebration happy hour and Convict Hill Pub Glass night  at the Black Star Co-Op on January 28, 5-8 pm. Buy the beer, keep the glass while supplies last!

You can also purchase a Convict Hill Stout Pub Glass or Convict Hill Stout Hat directly at our online store.

Independence Brewing downs $110K financing
Independence Brewing Co. Inc. received $110,000 of a planned $800,000 financing. The Austin-based company collected the capital from three investors, according to a Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

We didn’t realize we were making headlines!

While there have been plenty of “brewmors” (thanks Austin Beer Guide) afloat about our expansion, we thought we should set the record straight. We are excited to get our new 60 Barrel (1860gallons) JV Northwest brewhouse, which is being welded as I type.

We have gone just about as far as is possible with our little old 14 Barrel (431gallons) brewhouse. After years of telling Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth to wait just a little bit longer to get Independence beer, we’re looking forward to being able to deliver.

We are actively working on completing funding, approaching the half-way mark as of the first week in January. We are getting the word out that there is an opportunity to invest in Independence Brewing Co. So if you’ve ever wanted to be part of a booming brewery, now is the time!

Contact the brewery for more information.

I love Stash. I love it so much, I decided to write a paean to it while drinking it. Brutally hoppy (Columbus, Cascade, Nugget, and Galaxy) but with a delicate flavor-profile that smacks of citrus and resinous spice, Stash is a hophead’s ticket to paradise. I’m hard pressed to find an American I.P.A as balanced, as clean and as drinkable as Stash — and it doesn’t hurt that it’s ABV hovers somewhere around 7.5%. I take a four-pack home with me every night; my friends determine whether or not they want to hang out with me based on how many I have in my fridge; romantic relationships have blossomed because of it — and more than a few have crumbled in its glorious wake (sensitive palates need not apply).

But to write about Stash is easy. To experience Stash — now that’s a brew of a different color. And that’s why I set out to accomplish a simple task: to sing the praises of Stash in exactly 400 words, finishing a bottle for every 100 words written.

A burdensome task, I know. But I suppose somebody has to do it.

And after savoring it’s numerous complexities and subtleties (four times), after gracing my palate with it’s divine presence (four times), what I’ve concluded — no, what I’m certain of — is that Stash is the ultimate beer. I spend upwards of twenty hours a week bottling and packaging it, but I have yet to grow tired of it’s aroma, it’s flavor, it’s complexity. It’s the first beer I recommend to patrons when they stop by for our monthly tour-day. It’s a beer that I’d buy for myself at a bar — heck, it’s a beer I’d buy for the guy sitting next to me at the bar. It’s a product that I’m proud to stand behind, and a brew that I’m even happier to drink. And drink again… and again and again.

So what are you waiting for? I want you to want Stash. So swing by the grocery store and give it a try. Or if you see me out and about, allow me to purchase you a pint. Just because I work around it doesn’t mean I can’t love it — and just because you haven’t tried it yet doesn’t mean you won’t love it too.

Well look at that… 500 words. I told you I loved this stuff.

Through the month of December, Independence Brewing will donate $1 from every case of Austin Amber 6-packs to the Sustaibable Food Center. What better way to contribute to cause – buy some Austin Amber, enjoy the beer, and feel all warm & fuzzy knowing you’re helping the SFC!

We encourage you to contribute to this worthy cause if you can. Visit http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/capital-campaign/about for more information.

Independence  gives back to the local community in a unique way.  After the malted barley is used in brewing, certified organic local rancher Calvin Jechow owner and operator of Six J Ranch in Thorndale, collects the grain and uses it to feed his livestock including, free range chickens, turkeys and goats.  The meat is later sold at Austin-area farmers markets which collectively benefit the Sustainable Food Center, which Independence has had a long standing history of support with.

Through donations and fundraising events on behalf of Sustainable Food Center, Independence Brewing has been working to further the Sustainable Food Center’s goals of improving access to healthy nutritional foods and strengthening the local food system.  This partnership allows for development of local farmer markets, community gardens, and nutrition education and farm-to-school projects.

“We really try to get involved with the community in meaningful ways to create a diverse growth like we have with Sustainable Food Center and rancher Jechow.  It’s a circle of life process that goes on with our spent grain helping feed animals which later get sold and proceeds help the Sustainable Food Center bring healthy food to the community,” said co-founder Amy Cartwright regarding the community efforts of Independence.  “We feel this nomination brings to light our efforts to be a responsible company dedicated to creating quality handcrafted beer while building our community.”

First and foremost, we have to thank our team of dedicated brewers, cellar, bottling crew, lab, and sales. The quality of Independence beer is a testament to their hard work and perseverance. They are creative, fun, and able to rise to the challenges the brewery presents them. Together, we are constantly working towards improving the beer and making more of the best beer that we can. It’s a labor of love and we are truly grateful for the crew members (past and present) that have committed their time and energy to the endeavor.

Next we must thank our steadfast volunteers who show up every 1^st Saturday Tour Day and transform a parking lot into a community gathering. Setting up tents and tables, rolling out kegs, serving beer with a smile, and cleaning up at the end of the day – it’s a lot of work! We could not have such awesome events at the brewery without them. Next time you visit the brewery, make sure to give them a hug and say thanks!

Last but not least, we want to thank the people who supported us before there was a brewery, our investors. Back when the Independence was just a dream, before any brewhouse was running and any beer had been brewed, there were people willing to take a chance on us.  Giorgio Favia was one of those people.  As co-founder, he invested in the brewery and has worked behind the scenes to help guide our vision and keep the brewery on track.

And then there is Paul Castellana, who near single-handedly turned people in Round Rock onto Independence beers and volunteers for 1^st Saturday with flair. We are truly grateful for the enthusiastic support that our investors have provided over the years. They have helped us spread the word about Independence from the beginning, and kept our spirits high with their encouragement.

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving next week. We want to express our sincere gratitude to the community of people that we have been fortunate enough to work with over the years.

Salute!

Amy Cartwright

For the last six years we have worked overtime to brew and package the notorious Oklahoma Suks Beer in time for TX-OU weekend.  It has become our own unique contribution to our alma mater, as well as other rivals of OU.  Despite the extra brews, it never is quite enough.

As demand for our year-round beers have soared over the last several years, it’s become increasingly difficult to squirrel away extra brews of Oklahoma Suks. Our little 15 Barrel brewhouse is like a miniature dachshund pulling Santa’s heavy sleigh. While we’ve managed to pull it off, this year we realized that we would risk having faithful local bars, restaurants and stores potentially run out of our regular beers if we sold the Oklahoma Suks 12 packs. And we cannot do that.

So, in lieu of 12 packs this year, we’ve made Oklahoma Suks pint glasses. You can toast to many Longhorn touchdowns and cheer to UT victory with these bad boys. We will have the glasses online for purchase, and you may see them at your favorite local bar to watch the game.

And next year, we will see the return of the Oklahoma Suks 12-packs in stores far and wide. We are busy working on a brand new brewing system that will enable us to keep up with growing demand. One batch on our new system will brew the equivalent of four brews on our current system. Adding this new capacity will allow us to brew plenty of our year-round beers, while also brewing up plenty of Oklahoma Suks.

We are sorry to disappoint the die-hard fans out there, but we hope you understand.

Hook ‘em Horns

We are happy to announce that Todd Henry, the long-time brewer of Austin’s Lovejoys brewpub, has joined the team of Independence Brewing Co. brewers.

Like most Austinites, we were sad to see Lovejoys – the last remaining brewpub in downtown Austin - close its doors. It seemed emblematic of the changing craft beer scene in Austin. In the mid-90′s, downtown Austin was home to Waterloo Brewing Co., Bitter End Bistro & Brewpub, The Copper Tank, and Lovejoys. These brewpubs along with the Ginger Man pub were some of the only places one could enjoy a craft beer downtown.

Oh how the times have changed. Now the majority of downtown bars feature at least a couple of locally-brewed craft beers on tap. And the size of tap walls have grown – new downtown arrival Banger’s has 100 taps! While the downtown brewpubs closed, Austin microbreweries have grown to 10 and counting over the last few years. And with new brewpub openings on the horizon, the Austin craft beer scene has evolved and grown.

Independence Brewing has changed and grown over the years as well. We are proud to be brewing delicious craft beers for our community, and we’re excited about the growth in the variety of available beers and breweries in Austin. We are excited to have an intrepid brewer like Todd Henry join our team, and we’re excited about the new brews that will come.

Welcome aboard, Todd!