Dripping Springs earns 'Brew City' designation

Dripping Springs, renowned for its rich Texas history, natural beauty, and tourism attractions, has officially been designated a Brew City destination.

In April, Dripping Springs became one of the first Texas cities to receive the Brew City designation from the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, a nonprofit association promoting the craft beer trade through education and advocacy.

In honor of this recognition, the Dripping Springs City Council proclaimed July 16, 2024, as “Dripping Springs Brew City Day.” The resolution, sponsored by Mayor Bill Foulds and read by Mayor Pro Tem Taline Manassian, ac-knowledges the growing craft beer industry, which supports nine local breweries and numerous jobs while promoting tourism in the Hill Country. Representatives from local craft beer companies attended the proclamation.

Karen Killough, co-founder of Vista Brewing in Driftwood and a board member of the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, spearheaded the effort to bring the Brew City designation to Dripping Springs. “This initiative is a perfect fit for us. Launched this spring, it’s been a huge success. We now have 24 cities as members,” Killough said. “We look forward to working with the city to grow tourism, especially craft beer tour- ism.”

To celebrate the Brew City designation, the city’s visitors bureau and local breweries have collaborated to sponsor the 2024 ALE-YMPICS passport promotion, encouraging craft beer enthusiasts to visit local craft brewers. The ALE-YMPICS event, open to the drinkingage public, runs from July 24 through August 11.

Inspired by the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, the ALE-YMPICS offers participants a chance to test their pint-curling skills and taste buds while navigating a map of local breweries. Participants can pick up an ALEYMPICS passport and map from the visitors center on Mercer Street or any of the eight participating breweries.

The nine participating craft brewers include: 12 Fox Beer Co., Acopon Brewing, Bell Springs Brewing, Fitzhugh Brewing, Ghost Note Brewing, Jester King Brewery, Suds Monkey, Twisted X Brewing, and Vista Brewing.

Participants can get their passport verified by visiting at least five of the breweries. They can also name their favorite beers and ales from these breweries. Completed passports can be turned in at the visitor center or any participating brewery by August 12 to be entered in a prize drawing. More than 50 winners will receive brewery gift cards and hats, with winners announced on August 16.

For more information about the ALE-YMPICS, visit destinationdrippingsprings. com.