Sunsets, planes part of the charm at Smithville Brewing Co.
Already an established brewmaster in Austin, Todd Henry set his compass to the east during the COVID pandemic and landed in Smithville, opening the Smithville Brewing Company in July 2022.
“During the height of the pandemic, my wife Ashley and I decided to sell our house in Austin, buy a 1945 farmhouse amid a 3-acre cow pasture in Smithville and develop a brewery and beer/wine tasting room,” Henry said. “We knew Smithville could be the perfect place to start our brewery. In Austin, there are many breweries. In Smithville there were no (beer) breweries. Now, there is one. We wanted to bring something positive to the community. In some ways the risks were endless.”
Henry had done stints at some well-known Austin breweries, including Lovejoys Taproom and Independence Brewing Co., as well as NLand Brewing Company in Del Valle.
“We purchased this small but mighty property because the beer garden faced the west. Almost every day we get an amazing sunset that makes you glad you were born,” Henry said. “Also, the property backs you to the Smithville Municipal Airport, so there are always interesting planes taking off and landing as you enjoy a beer.”
A growing clientele is glad Henry arrived in Smithville.
“The IPA Gold is what I’m drinking today, but I’ve had six to seven different beers that Todd has made," Matt Higginbotham said as he sat on a barstool. "They are all real good. He’s an excellent brewmaster. They also have all Texas beers on tap. I use to home brew a long time ago, but not anymore, and I definitely can’t do anything that Todd does – he’s worked at some major breweries in Austin.”
Higginbotham said the pub grub – hamburgers, pizza, jumbo sourdough pretzels with beer-cheese & mustard – “is excellent” and that the atmosphere also is a drawing point.
“The people are really friendly," he said. "We have dart boards, trivia on Thursday nights and movie nights on Fridays.”
Kilie Strange was enjoying a beer with friend Logan Montgomery as a beautiful sunset washed the sky on a warm Friday evening.
“I love to drink all their beers. They always have fresh tap beer. I just tried the Copper Pot Golden IPA – it’s phenomenal. I like that it was a little bit more bitter and less hoppy. I’m usually a fan of the hoppier IPAs, but I really enjoyed this Copper Pot,” Strange said.
Montgomery added, “I just turned 21 and Kilie invited me to this bar. I like it – they’ve got movie night tonight with ‘The Goonies.’ They've got a nice breeze blowing through here even though it’s banging 108 degrees outside.”
Montgomery had tried Strange's Copper Pot.
“That Copper Pot stuff was a little bit strong, a little too stout for me. I prefer Michelob Light most of the time. This place is great. I would definitely come back.”
Smithville resident Steve Johnston is a regular.
“I’ve been coming here since they opened because they have quality beers, great food and great customer service folks,” Johnston said. “I’m drinking their Buescher Light right now. It’s named after Buescher State Park right up the road. It’s a light beer and it goes down smooth.”
Johnston said Henry’s genial nature is an added bonus to the great suds. “Todd is great guy. He is really busting his butt to get this business off and running, and he’s done a great job,” Johnston said.
Buddies John Gilkison, Jeff Ripper and Jim Allen were enjoying beers, engaged in lively conversation.
“I enjoy supporting local businesses. I appreciate that Todd is an owner and operator. He’s living the dream. Todd is very supportive of the community; he is always welcoming and always here,” Gilkison said.
“I’m really happy with their homemade black and tan, which is an awesome amber and stout combination," he said. "Right now, I’m drinking a Shiner Strawberry they have on tap. In the summer I drink a fruity beer; when it gets a little cooler I drink a black and tan.”
“I love coming here because it’s a brewery right here in Smithville, which is something we didn’t have," Allen said. "I’m drinking a cider because it’s way too hot. Otherwise, I like a stout. Todd is a great guy, the staff is super friendly. I love the setting and the view. Watching the planes land and take off, it’s beautiful.”
Smithville Brewing Company is at 661 NW Loop 230 (Texas 95 South), about a half-mile south of Texas 71 East. Hours are 4-10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 1-10 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. For more information, email info@smithvillebrewing.com or call (512) 980-4029.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Sunsets, planes part of the charm at Smithville Brewing Co.
