Art galleries, high-end boutique shopping, historic buildings, elevated dining, and a creekside trail fill The Hill Country Mile, the downtown area of Boerne, Texas. However, the main attractions of this charming town, settled in 1849 by German immigrants, are its top-tier microbreweries. A German town undoubtedly boasts great beer, right?
Today, Boerne (pronounced “Bernie”) has a population of around 18,000 and is popular among those traveling through the rolling hills of Central Texas, seeking a quintessential small-town feel and excellent craft brews. Among its six microbreweries, four are conveniently located within walking distance of each other downtown.
Immerse yourself in Boerne’s vibrant brewing scene on a walking tour, then enjoy a drink or two of your favorites while strolling along the Cibolo Trail, which follows the beautiful Cibolo Creek before sunset.
Texas Tidbit: In Boerne, it’s perfectly acceptable to carry a drink to-go and walk around the Hill Country Mile with an open container.
Tusculum Brewing Company
The owners of Tusculum Brewing Company, friends and family with diverse backgrounds in geology, engineering, and geography, transformed their passion for craft beer into a reality. Housed in the historic H.O. Adler Building on Main Street, this brewery offers a rich variety of styles, including German classics such as a Kölsch, a pilsner, and a Berliner.
For easy sipping, don’t miss the Back Porch Berliner—a tart and mildly sour Berliner Weisse beer. If you’re in the mood for something brighter and hoppier, try the Hazed and Confuzzled New England IPA, noted for its mango and pineapple flavors paired with a crisp finish.
Texas Tidbit: Tusculum Brewing features a rotating barrel-aged beer menu. Always inquire with the bartender about the latest creation.
Free Roam Brewing Company
Just a minute’s walk down Main Street from Tusculum Brewing Company, you’ll find Free Roam Brewing Company, Boerne’s newest downtown brewery focusing on exquisite ales and lagers. Founded in 2021 by three friends, including Jeremy Affeldt, a three-time world champion pitcher, Free Roam is renowned for its commitment to community engagement.
Food trucks provide the perfect dining experience while brews like That May Be a Balk bock and the I-10 West IPA are popular options from an ever-evolving beer list. Free Roam also hosts trivia nights, live music, and yoga sessions regularly.
Cibolo Creek Brewing Company
On Main Street, Cibolo Creek Brewing Company has established a collection of mainstay beers available year-round, such as the Boerne Blonde, an easy-drinking, balanced beer, and Creekside IPA, which features delightful citrus and pine notes.
Seasonal beers rotate throughout the year, including the refreshing Postman’s Pale Ale and the robust 48’ers Porter, a darker beer suitable for colder months. Additionally, the brewery produces small-batch brews like imperial stouts, saisons, sours, and double IPAs that rotate every few weeks.
Be sure to complement your visit with a meal here, as Cibolo Creek Brewing emphasizes sustainability, using proteins, dairy, and produce sourced from local farms.
Dodging Duck Brewhaus
Dodging Duck Brewhaus, located on River Road, has been a staple for craft beer lovers in Boerne since 2002. Overlooking Cibolo Creek, “The Duck” features both indoor seating in a renovated turn-of-the-century home and patio seating on heated decks.
The beer is brewed utilizing a 10-barrel system, with a rotating menu that features up to 20 different beers annually. The Pico de Pato Mexican Lager offers hints of lime from dried limes used during brewing, while Duck and the Giant Peach serves as a lively wheat ale abundant with peach flavor.
An eclectic food menu complements the beer selections. Don’t miss the Hill Country Poutine (French fries topped with beer cheese and beer chili) or the bratwurst served with sauerkraut and a jumbo pretzel.
Texas Tidbit: “Ducky Hour” is Monday through Friday from 3 PM – 6 PM, featuring discounted beers, wines, and appetizers.
Barrelman Brewing Company
Located about 2.5 miles west of downtown, Barrelman Brewing pays homage to a popular souvenir from the Philippines—a wooden figurine covered by a barrel. The owners, Fred and Andrea Locke, seek to honor their roots with a focus on small batches of craft beer and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Barrelman Brewing serves a variety of food items, including Hawaiian musubi and smash burgers, alongside their crafted brews like the Boxers Blessing red ale and the Chasing Waterfalls IPA. Settle down in the tap room for a soothing evening, where occasional live music can be enjoyed on Saturdays.
Kinematic Brewing Company
Fifteen minutes northwest of town, Kinematic Brewing Company operates as a nano-brewery with a cozy tasting room and bottle shop, encouraging patrons to relax and soak in the laid-back atmosphere. The brewery’s outdoor seating overlooks the beautiful Texas fields, with comfortable seating options available.
Local food trucks, including renowned Texas barbecue, frequently enhance the experience, while live music is a charming regular feature. The beer selection changes often, so it’s advisable to check the website for the latest offerings, including favorites like the Lagniappe, a beignet and cafe au lait stout, and Galileo’s Revenge, a rich dark ale aged in bourbon barrels.
More to Discover in Boerne
Beyond its vibrant microbrewery scene, Boerne boasts numerous attractions. The Old Jail Museum on the Hill Country Mile offers insights into local history with its original jail cells, while a free historic walking tour illustrates key sites tied to Boerne’s heritage. To better understand Boerne’s German culture, visit the Kuhlmann-King Historical Complex for guided tours on select weekends.
On the Hill Country Mile, The Kendall and The William are wonderful boutique hotels placing you in the heart of Boerne. The Kendall, which opened in 1859, serves as a stylish anchor for your stay, while The William offers views and proximity to local events. For those seeking more seclusion, the town features a variety of rental cottages and traditional hotels within easy reach of downtown.
