A Guide To All The Craft Breweries In Waco
While the Waco craft beer scene is still fairly young and small, it's started making a name for itself. And thank goodness! For a college town that has about 150,000 residents, Waco can certainly stand to support a few excellent craft breweries. After all, where else are you going to go and enjoy a fresh, locally-made pint after the Baylor Bears win a football game?
The following is a guide to the handful of craft breweries that you can find in Waco, Texas. It's a small but mighty bunch, with a few excellent options...as well as a few old-school places that probably aren't going to win any major beer awards, but they're just fun spots to hang out.
As of 2024, there are 5 craft breweries in Waco, plus another brewery that's not technically considered "craft" but it's still pretty cool and worth a visit.
Feel free to use the map to find one near you, or read on for a list of the best craft breweries in Waco, TX.
A Guide To All The Craft Breweries In Waco
1. Pivovar Czech Brewery
Pivovar, located in the heart of downtown Waco, is an authentic Czech brewery, restaurant, and hotel. It has quickly become a local favorite, both for Waco residents and for beer enthusiasts. Seriously - people travel from all over to see this place, because there aren't many authentic Czech breweries in Texas!
Located at 810 S 8th Street, this brewery has become a big part of Waco's growing craft beer scene. If you’re only going to visit one brewery in Waco, make it this one!
Pivovar is one of the only breweries in Texas that has a strong commitment to authentic Czech-style beers, including pouring them from side-pull tap handles that will, with a lot of practice, create a thick, creamy head that’s authentic to this style of beer.
Another thing that sets Pivovar apart from many other breweries is its incredible food menu. Their kitchen serves up a beautiful selection of Czech dishes designed to complement their beer offerings. From fried cheese starters and soups to mouthwatering goulash, house-made bratwurst, and authentic pork schnitzel with potatoes, Pivovar has elevated the traditional brewery experience by providing truly wonderful food. Plus they offer kids meals, making this a very family-friendly place!
Pivovar has garnered a reputation as the best brewery in Waco, Texas, for several reasons.
First, their beer quality is unbeatable. The expert brewers at Pivovar consistently produce high-quality, distinctive Czech-style beers that keeps loyal customers coming back for more.
Second, the gorgeous atmosphere and friendly staff make every visit a great one.
And of course, the amazing food menu only adds to their appeal.
Another interesting fact about Pivovar is they aren't just a brewery but also a hotel, restaurant, beer spa, bakery, and bar. A single day isn’t enough to experience this place - try to stay overnight if you’re able! If you book a room, you’re treated to a free beer voucher at their restaurant, and you can enjoy a relaxing soak in their beer spa.
For location, Pivovar is just walking distance from Magnolia Silos and a short walk away from the Dr. Pepper Museum and other favorite things to do in Waco.
Seriously, if you’re just going to visit one brewery in Waco, make it this one!
WEBSITE | 320 S 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
2. Bare Arms Brewing
Waco’s oldest continually operated brewery, Bare Arms Brewing is an excellent family-friendly spot to hang out. This brewery has made a name for itself through a commitment to producing top-quality craft beer...and for being the original Waco craft brewery!
Don't get too caught up in the exterior view. This isn't a place to judge a book by its cover! Once you step inside, you'll enter a low-ceiling, cozy room with a small corner counter. You'll most likely be immediately be greeted by a friendly bartender who will offer samples, explain the beer styles to you, and take your order.
They offer a pretty diverse range of beer styles to cater to various tastes. You can choose from their IPAs, rich stouts, lagers, and pilsners. They're especially known for their dedication to producing fresh, small-batch beers with an ever-evolving selection that keeps locals returning. You might even be able to find a kettle sour or a seasonal beer like an Oktoberfest or a holiday spiced ale among their regular staples.
Hungry? Bare Arms Brewing has a hearty pub menu! Visitors can enjoy anything from small bites and sides to larger meals like burgers and sandwiches, as well as pizza. The rotation of food options ensures there's always something fresh and delicious to pair with your beer.
Their focus on community engagement is another important component of Bare Arms Brewing. They have an event room (which is open to the public as a part of their taproom when it's not being used) where they host stand-up comedians, open mic night, trivia, and other events for Waco residents.
WEBSITE | 2515 La Salle Ave, Waco, TX 76706
3. Southern Roots Brewery
If you want really good pizza and a nice selection of craft beer in Waco, Southern Roots Brewery is your spot. Nestled in the heart of downtown Waco, Texas, this Texas craft brewery that opened in 2018.
Southern Roots Brewery has become a household name for its exceptional craft beers. Like many craft breweries, it started as a small home brewing hobby, and quickly grew in popularity until it became the brick-and-mortar that you see today.
The brewery has a wide variety of brews, include collaborations with other breweries, guest taps, and even mead on tap from Meridian Hive in Austin.
The food menu at Southern Roots features their traditional and signature pizzas, boneless wing platters, salads, and an amazing charcuterie board selection.
Southern Roots is a large, open taproom with an exposed brewery that guests can view from their tables. But it feels cozy and quaint. There's a selection of. board games stashed in the corner, a wall of fun merch available for retail, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff that will guide guests through the beer menu.
It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, a pretty good-sized beer garden, and an outdoor patio. This place is a popular destination for big group gatherings in Waco! It doesn’t hurt that it’s also family-friendly, so kids and babies are welcome.
WEBSITE | 219 N 8th St, Waco, TX 76701
4. Waco Ale Co
Waco Ale Co. is a fixture in the city's craft beer scene. You can find this Waco brewery at 806 Austin Avenue, perfectly situated in the downtown district, making it an easy stop for locals and visitors.
Waco Ale Co is a pretty interesting little spot. It has a big selection of different beer styles, a huge food menu, and it's a tiny little spot. Whether you're a fan of stouts, IPAs, classic Mexican lagers, lighter beers, seasonal stuff with interesting flavors...this brewery has something to offer.
They're regularly introducing new and exciting brews, so folks love coming back again and again to try something different.
Of course, if you're hungry, Waco Ale Co's kitchen serves up a large variety dishes designed to complement their beer offerings. From sandwiches, salads, and loaded fries to artisan pizzas, chicken wings and tenders, and desserts, the menu here has a huge quantity of options.
Waco Ale Co is a beloved destination in Waco for those seeking craft beer, good food, and a memorable experience.
WEBSITE | 806 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701
5. Brotherwell
Brotherwell Brewing is another Waco Craft Brewery that offers a fun craft beer experience. You'll find this hidden gem at 400 E. Bridge St., so it's on the opposite side of the Brazos River from all of the other Waco craft breweries.
Brotherwell Brewing recently won a bronze medal at the Texas Craft Brewers Cup in 2022 for their "Shelter in Haze" Hazy IPA. The wit is also a popular beer among the Waco crowd. But other than those, they produce in a wide range of beer styles, making it a place you can go to try pretty much any style. Whether you prefer crisp lagers, hoppy IPAs, or rich stouts, they have something to suit every taste.
While Brotherwell Brewing primarily focuses on beer, they frequently host food trucks and special events that bring a variety of Waco food offerings. This means you’ll be able to enjoy a diverse range of cuisines that pair perfectly with those beer offerings. From BBQ to tacos and pizza, keep an eye on their social media to see what type of food might be avaiable while you're there.
Brotherwell's free-standing taproom is is pretty industrial and bare bones, with a wide open room that houses both the taproom and the brewery. It's divided by the service station and bar in the middle, which is where you'll place your order. Oh, and you can try a sample if you're not sure what you like - the bartenders here are very friendly and eager to help you find your next favorite beer style!
Brotherwell Brewing is not just a brewery; it's a cornerstone of Waco's craft beer culture, a place where camaraderie and creativity unite over exceptional brews and a vibrant community spirit.
WEBSITE | 400 E Bridge St, Waco, TX 76704
6. Balcones Brewing
No, it's not technically a craft brewery since Balcones was bought out in 2021 by Diageo alcoholic beverage company, but the brewing program at this world-renowned whisky distillery produces some of the best beer you can find in Waco.
Guests can walk into the tasting room at any point (no need to make a reservation unless you want to take a tour of Balcones) and enjoy a flight of beer.
As you can see from the picture above, the brewing program at Balcones is quite small! Balcones is mostly known for their whisky, which they distribute to all 50 states. But their beer program is handled entirely by one brewer, and the beer is only available on-site and at a few local bars, like Pinewood Pubhouse and Slow Rise pizza restaurant and bar.
However, the beer is exceptional. Balcones typically has only 4 beers on tap at a time, prioritizing quality over quantity.
While there's no food available in the taproom, the space is family-friendly and open to the public. If you're searching for the best beer in Waco, you'll probably want to stop by Balcones and make sure you try a pint (or a flight!) or their brews.
WEBSITE | 225 S 11th St, Waco, TX 76701