Local Food Businesses in Govalle (9)

Ed Gibson, founder of Austin Eastciders, moved to Austin to after falling in love with Austin. Having lived most of his life in Bristol in the southwest of England and the “cider capital of the world”, Gibson operated a cider bar until he started looking for a change. After visiting Austin upon a friend’s suggestion, the rest, as they say, is history. Gibson launched Austin Eastciders in various bars in 2011. However, it quickly ran into supply issues because of the lack of a proper production facility. After finally opening one in 2013, and opening another location in 2016, its supply problems are now behind it. The new location affords space for a proper taproom called The Collaboratory at the original location. There, one can enjoy the five mainstays of Austin Eastciders, and some seasonal and special edition ciders – all aimed at bringing back cider to the level of popularity it once enjoyed in the Americas.    

Austin Honey Company is known for producing naturally managed honeybees pollinating local organic food creating a “sweet wildflower honey”. Happy bees reside at local organic farms in Austin where they provide vital pollination. The owners purposely placed them there to help grow our local food system. This not only ensures complete pollination the result of which is higher yields, but it also provides a “safe chemical free environment” for the bees to prosper and produce an excellent local raw wildflower honey. The bees are managed in a natural chemical free manner and the honey is “never heated or filtered”. The honey color and flavor profile will change with the season. Lighter honey is from the spring and darker honey is from the summer and fall.

Located in East Austin, Central Machine Works Brewery features a beer garden with family-friendly areas, food trucks, and a stage for live music. This East Austin brewery and beer hall got its name from the former tenant of the preserved industrial space, the “Central Machine Works” shop. The brewery came about after a group of Austinites fell in love with the space. Central Machine Works Brewery offers a wide range of beers from “American lagers, ales, and IPAs,” as well as some international styles like “kolsch, pilsners and English brown ales.” They also have seasonal beers and guest taps. They have a taproom that has a full bar and all of the drinks they offer are available on-site and for limited distribution.

Flitch Coffee, a remodeled 1955 Spartan trailer situated in a charming outdoor space in east Austin that serves coffee and espresso has a great setting and atmosphere! It’s definitely one of the favorite spots in Austin. Aside from coffee, they also offers Breakfast tacos from Pueblo Viejo, a family-owned taqueria located on the eastside and pastries from Luxe Sweets. Some favorite menu items as of late have been the “iced maple latte” or a deliciously “smooth cappuccino”. The coffee is ordered in the airstream, and all seating is outside. The area is covered by large trees, so it's definitely an enjoyable spot even on a hot day. You can also bring your dogs here!

Friends and Allies Brewing Company founders Ben Sabin and Devin Ponds are “industry professionals”. The homebrewing enthusiasts bonded over their passion but charted different paths. Ponds moved to California and Sabin remaining in Austin. Both worked in the craft beer industry. Their passion eventually brought them back together in Austin and they hired Nathan Crane as head brewer for their new brewery. The company’s name is the Hasinais meaning for the word “Tejas” (or, “Texas”), which refers to a friend or ally. It reflects the company’s aim to be deeply rooted in Austin’s community. With a focus on “West Coast techniques”, the brewery “produces uniquely Texas beers steeped in West Coast brewing techniques”. Even their logo reflects this “dual state” and shows a wolf and a bear. Their current lineup consists of four core beers.

Infinite Monkey Theorem is Famously "known for the canned wine". They have presented wines in a "unique" way. They are located in a large space in an 11,000-square-foot warehouse at 702 Shady Lane. There are "great local artist murals throughout the space". For those with dogs, "space is comfortable and dogs are allowed inside". You will also "get the best bang for your buck on the wine tasting tour". "Their rose slushees are popular". The "Frozé" is "super yummy", very "refreshing", and a "great treat to cure the summer heat". They also have bottled wines such as the "Blind Watchmaker White" and the "Sauvignon Blanc" is "on point". A "must-try place in Austin".

In 2015, Jason Ellis, Heidi Watcher, and John Sibold established Lost Pines Yaupon Tea out of their passion for its taste and benefits, while also seizing an ethical harvesting opportunity. In 2011, the Lost Pines area suffered a significant wildfire and historical human damage. This led to the creation of Lost Pines Habitat Conservation, aiming to restore the area for endangered toads, offering property tax breaks to participants. Collaborating with landowners, the trio began ethically harvesting yaupon trees, benefiting the environment, toads, owners, government, founders, and you. Experience a win-win story.