Zilker Brewing celebrates 10 years
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Zilker Brewing Co. Photo: Bob Gee/Axios
Ten years after opening on East Sixth Street, Zilker Brewing is defying industry headwinds with rising sales and production — a rare growth story in Texas' slumping craft beer scene.
Why it matters: Zilker's resilience offers a roadmap for local brewers trying to navigate industry-wide challenges and shifting consumer tastes.
State of play: Breweries across the country have faced impacts from the pandemic, slumping sales and shifts in alcohol consumption.
- In Texas, production dropped nearly 9% in 2024 from the previous year, according to data from the Brewers Association. That same year, 29 breweries shut down while only 22 opened statewide.
- By contrast, Zilker Brewing is producing more than it did pre-pandemic, with sales and volume up 5–7% over the past two years, according to co-founder Patrick Clark.
Flashback: Clark, his brother, Forrest, and longtime friend Marco Rodriguez quit their day jobs in 2015 to open a brewery with just four beers on tap.
- They chose the East Sixth location — still Zilker Brewing's home — because it reminded them of the walkable neighborhood breweries in Portland or Seattle.
- "It was an exciting time in craft beer for Austin and for us," Clark tells Axios. "We just felt like there was an opportunity for it in the market."
Zoom in: Clark attributes their success to having a "consistent, high-quality product," along with engaging with the community and providing a unique experience in a taproom.
- Clark isn't oblivious to the evolving tastes of young drinkers, though. To mark its 10th anniversary, the brewery recently rolled out cocktail offerings and a renovated taproom.
- "We know that not everyone likes beer, and it is somewhat in a correction period," Clark said, adding that they don't have plans to expand their cocktail offerings beyond the tap room.
- "We're obviously a brewery first ... but it's just kind of fun to have another offering that helps with the experience."
What's next: Despite the crowded, cautious beer market, Clark is optimistic about the future of the brewery and craft beer.
- "The market is maturing in a way that's good for the consumer and good for us," Clark said. "I think the quality of beer in Austin is the highest it's ever been across the board, just because breweries have been around for longer, and there's just more experience there."
If you go: Zilker's new cocktail menu includes margaritas, cucumber mint mules, frozen orange dreamsicles and frozen mangonadas.
- Find them at 1701 E 6th St. Open at 11am daily.