The best breweries near Texas Hill Country swimming holes
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Guadalupe River State Park. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
There's nothing better in the summer than swimming in a spring-fed river in the Texas Hill Country, but there is one way to improve the experience: grabbing a cold beer afterward.
Why it matters: Summer hasn't officially begun, but it's already been brutal. And it might not get much better.
- Let's be honest, you need a realistic activity to keep you going. This is it.
State of play: I've visited almost all of the state parks in the Hill Country and plenty of small, offshoot swimming spots.
In the interest of not gate-keeping, here are my favorite pairings for a swim and a beer.
Pro tip: All of these swim spots can be crowded, especially over long weekends like the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.
- If you're headed to a state park, it's best to make a reservation online first.
- Beer recommendations could be seasonal and are subject to change.
Guadalupe River State Park: A family favorite for wading in the water and parking your chair in the river for the day. You can also fish, tube and canoe here.
- Brewery: The Dodging Duck Brewhaus & Restaurant in Boerne. The outdoor space is replete with fans and live music, and there's a full food menu.
- What to drink: The Luckenbacher Hefeweizen, with notes of banana and clove.
Blanco State Park: This location has plenty of picnic tables and grills. There's also hiking, fishing, boating and paddling. You can even rent tubes from the park store.
- Brewery: Real Ale Brewing, just a couple miles from the park. There's a wood-fired pizza truck there on weekends.
- What to drink: The Devil's Backbone, a Belgian-style Tripel that's available year-round.
Pedernales Falls State Park: The swimming area here requires a hike and some steep rock stairs without a handrail. But there's plenty to see even if you choose not to take a dip.
- Brewery: Pecan Street Brewing in Johnson City is another one with a full food menu. You can sit indoors or outdoors; there's often live entertainment.
- What to drink: The Road Devil Amber Lager.
Garner State Park: The Frio River is beloved and still somehow lowkey. You can also tube and paddle boat here.
- Brewery: Broadway 830 in Uvalde doesn't brew its own beer, but it has a nice selection, and its homemade pizzas are outstanding.
- What to drink: The Space Dust IPA from Elysian Brewing.
Blue Hole Regional Park: This Wimberley hotspot has to be booked in advance, but it's one of the most picturesque swimming holes thanks to its lining of cypress trees.
- Brewery: Community Pizza and Beer Garden in downtown Wimberley is another spot without its own brewery that's still worth your while — the draft list here is extensive and features local heavy-hitters.
- What to drink: The Driftwood Pale Ale or the Dark Skies Lager from Vista Brewing.
San Marcos River: There are plenty of places in the city to get into the clear, spring-fed water. A popular one is Rio Vista Park.
- Brewery: Roughhouse Brewing is between San Marcos and Wimberley. They have a range of in-house brews and plenty of sandwiches to fuel you.
- What to drink: The Roughhouse Pilsner.
Comal River: This popular spring-fed river has access points throughout New Braunfels, with Landa Park being a popular one.
- Brewery: OK, fine, it's not a brewery at all, but it's obvious you go to the Gristmill in Gruene. Sometimes places are classics for a reason — forget the beer and have a margarita and fried catfish on the Guadalupe River.
- What to drink: The jalapeño margarita with a Tajin rim.