Photo of a Beer Toast at an East Texas Brewery.

Although Pabst Blue Ribbon now owns San Antonio’s Lone Star Beer, it played an integral part in Texas beer history. It laid the foundation for countless Texas breweries in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The industry itself took several decades to regain steam following Prohibition. Thankfully, as we surge ahead toward 2021, craft breweries continue to surface all across The Lone Star State, including here in East Texas. In fact, Mill Creek Ranch Resort is within an hour’s drive of eight taprooms, despite our semi-remote location east of the DFW metroplex. Thus, we’ve created a handy East Texas brewery guide with three quintessential stops in three unique towns.

A Self-Guided East Texas Brewery Tour

The growing East Texas brewery scene continues to multiply. Five notable Texas craft breweries didn’t make this list, including ETX Brewing Company, Thirsty Bro Brewing Co., Backstory Brewery, and Cypress Creek Southern Ales. They’re all within an hour’s drive of Mill Creek Ranch. We feel confident that the three taprooms chosen (as seen below) perfectly encapsulate the appeal of an East Texas brewery.

Photo of a Group Saying "Cheers" at an East Texas Brewery.

True Vine Brewing Company – Tyler, TX

A self-guided East Texas brewery tour is incomplete without a stop at True Vine and its sprawling outdoor patio. True Vine remains the best brewery in Tyler. While the interior is pleasingly open-concept, the well-lit, multi-purpose outdoor patio is a rustic yet glamorous four-season haven for beer drinkers. The gigantic, tin-covered area ropes in local musicians, while the authentic brick aesthetic is a tip of the cap to another era. With everything from double dry-hopped session IPAs to coffee-infused porters, you’ll find a brew that melds with your palate.

Cedar Creek Brewery – Seven Points, TX

We simply cannot get enough of Cedar Creek’s German-style Biergarten, where fun events, particularly around Oktoberfest, often draw thousands of thirsty Texans. Those 10-beer flights are perfect for dabblers. It’s worth noting that Cedar Creek is family and pet-friendly. Oh, and those deep-fried onion rings are a revelation!

Athens Brewing Co. – Athens, TX

One of the newest members of the East Texas brewery family is Athens Brewing, located in a historic downtown district known “the Square.” Athens’ curb appeal is highlighted by all that dazzling red brick. Frequent patrons love devouring baskets of “sexy fries” and fried pickles while sipping on refreshing pints of the medium-bodied Märzen, fragrant Brut IPA, or crowd favorite Apricot Ale. Choose between the pub-like interior or the outdoor seating area where live music always seems to be filling the air on weekends.

Photo of Cabin Rental 102 near a bevy of East Texas breweries.Places to Stay in Canton, TX

Because Mill Creek Ranch Resort is one of the most romantic getaways in Texas, many couples ask about local breweries, regional wineries, and nearby hiking trails. We offer a variety of lodging types, including an RV park, cottages, tiny house rentals, and a yurt. On-site amenities include fishing ponds, a disc golf course, hiking (and bicycling) paths, a pool, and 200 sprawling acres of East Texas beauty. For information, please visit online at MillCreekRanchResort.com. You can also call us at 866-488-6020.