Photo by Lex in the City on FlickrSouth south Austin (we're talking Brodie and 290 South) is home to big box stores and mega-outlets, so when we heard about a new chain restaurant going in called BJ's Brewhouse, we weren't exactly vibrating with excitement. But the thing is, the food is surprisingly good, and if you can ignore the Cheesecake Factory vibe and the Disney-fication of America (and that's a BIG if), you can enjoy......

One of Texas' most popular and oldest independent craft breweries — Saint Arnold Brewing Company — is hot off a gold medal win at the Great American Beer Festival. Judges at the annual festival in Denver awarded Fancy Lawnmower Beer the gold medal in the German Style Kölsch/Köln Style Kölsch category. This is the first gold medal win for Saint Arnold's. Lawnmower beers, for the uninitiated, are light, crisp, and ideal for hot weather drinking.......

Our first experience with Independence Brewing Company came just a few short years ago when browsing the beer aisle at a nearby Austin grocer. Shuffling past the quick favorites (Lone Star) and growing tired of the old stand-by's (Shiner) we came upon the logo of a shaggy-haired kid jumping, cannonball-style, into a pool not unlike our own Barton Springs. With curious mind and ever-growing soberness, we delved further to discover what has quickly become......

With great weather, a social atmosphere, and big crowds, there were many good times to be had at last year's Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Sunday Fair in Georgetown. Having braved the long drive, we found a huge, beautiful park filled with white tents full of salsa, BBQ, chocolate, tamales, and copious amounts of booze. This is probably one's best chance to experience the gluttony of the THCWFF at a moderate cost,......