There’s more than wine in the Texas Hill Country, between Austin and Fredericksburg. The area has also become a hub for craft distillers producing whiskey, vodka, gin, brandy and other spirits. Adults will find spirits crafted from 100% Texas grown grain, or liquors made with Texas rainwater. For a unique way to support local busineses, visit one of the Texas Bourbon Dilleries or Tasting Rooms.
7 Texas Bourbon Tours and Distillery Tasting Rooms
K. Spoetzl Brewery and Distillery in Shiner
Still Austin
Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye
Milam & Greene Whiskey in Blanco
Real Spirits Distilling in Blanco
Dripping Springs Distillery in Dripping Springs
Desert Door Sotol in Driftwood
Texas Whiskey Trail
For those who want to learn more, the Texas Whiskey Association created the Texas Whiskey Trail. Distilleries showcase local grain-to-glass distilling and unique single-estate spirits, and offer regular tours and even classes.
It is divided geographically: North Texas Trail, Hill Country Trail, South Texas Trail and West Texas Trail.
inside the newly opened Rickhouse at the K.Spoetzl Brewery and Distillery in Shiner. credit: Catherine Parker
K. Spoetzl Brewery and Distillery in Shiner
From the brewers of the iconic Shiner Bock, the K. Spoetzl Brewery and Distillery in Shiner opened a brand-new restaurant and tasting room in late 2025. This daytrip destination is a popular choice for those in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
Rickhouse, a brand-new restaurant and tasting room bringing spirits, craft cocktails, and Texas-inspired cuisine to the heart of Shiner, Texas. The 10,000 square foot space features a soaring ceiling and timbers sourced from the Pacific Northwest.
Rickhouse is open daily for distillery tours and tastings of its complete line-up of distilled beverages. It distills Shiner Vodka, Shiner Gin, a Shiner Cinnamon ‘Shine and Shiner ‘Shine. Soon to be bottled is its Shiner Bourbon.
For those wanting dinner, the Rickhouse will be open for dinner on weekdays, Saturdays for lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch. The menu is a thoughtful blend of familiar Southern favorites made from high-quality ingredients.
Highlights include starters like the Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel and Spoetzl Sliders. Entrées include Jumbo Chicken Fried Steak, Shiner Bock Pork Chop and Old Fashioned Meatloaf.
Located at 603 E Brewery St, Shiner. The K. Spoetzl Brewery tour is an interactive tour, taking you through the entire brewing process. Tours run daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. The distillery tour is a 45-minute tour, departing hourly. Tours run from Sunday to Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required and start at $35 per person per tour with a tasting at each.
Still Austin
It’s not just the smaller Texas towns with distilleries; Austin boasts its own bourbon distillery: Still Austin. Crafted with 100% Texas-grown grain, visitors will find bourbon, rye and gin.
Still Austin offers several tours, like its 60-minute tour that introduces adults to the meticulous process of transforming locally sourced grains into craft bourbon, rye, and gin. It also offers a Grain-to-Glass tour and its Exclusive Distiller’s Tour, a 2-hour deep dive with a distiller.
Located at 440 E St Elmo Rd. Suite F, Austin. Open Tuesday to Saturday from noon. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
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Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye
In the Texas Hill Country between Austin and Fredericksburg, Garrison Brothers Distillery is the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas. From its first release in 2010, its handmade bourbon uses locally grown grains and rainwater.
Handcrafted from “corn to cork”, Garrison Brothers has a devoted following in Texas and beyond. To learn more about its process, visit the Garrison Brothers ranch for a tour and a tasting.
Tourgoers visit its historic Stillhouse and Cookhouse. For those who want to learn more, Garrison Brothers offers classes. There’s a restaurant on the property, too.
Located at 1827 Hye-Albert Rd., Hye. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours at noon and 2 p.m. Open Friday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tours offered at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
Milam & Greene Whiskey in Blanco
A pair of women joined forces and forged a small-batch whiskey distillery in Blanco. With a focus on pot-still whiskies, they are inspired by the Scotch and Irish styles.
Located at 208 Carlie Ln, Blanco. Open Monday to Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. (closed Sunday). Milam and Greene operates a tasting room; however, tours aren’t offered at this time.
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Real Spirits Distilling in Blanco
After 21 years of brewing, Real Ale Brewing Company started distilling spirits in 2017. Real Spirits Distillery produces whiskey and gin from locally sourced grains.
Located at 281 San Saba Ct, Blanco. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. Tours of its brewing facility are held on Friday at 4 p.m.
Dripping Springs Distillery in Dripping Springs
Founded in 2005, Dripping Spring Distillery produces small-batch vodka and gin in copper pot stills. Its Dripping Springs Vodka and artisan gin are distilled with spring water sourced right from the Hill Country.
The property features a tasting room, patio and serves a menu of elevated comfort food. The one-hour tour includes a tasting.
Located at 5330 Bell Springs Rd., Dripping Springs. Open from Thursday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tours are Thursday to Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. (3 p.m. on weekends). The tour is $20 per adult.
Desert Door Sotol in Driftwood
Sotol is a distilled spirit and the plant. Crafted from a resilient evergreen succulent that thrives in the rugged West Texas desert. More flavorful than tequila and softer than mezcal, it was originally distilled in the area 800 years ago.
Desert Door Sotol features a tasting room with a food truck in Driftwood. It offers tours on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tours are approximately 40 minutes long and are $30 per person.
Located at 211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood. Open Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Texas Whiskey Festival
Sample more than a dozen different whiskeys and bourbons on April 18, 2026, at the Texas Whiskey Festival. Held at Star Hill Ranch, there will be cigars, food trucks and dueling pianos.
Located at 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd., Austin. The festival runs from 4:30 to 10 p.m.
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