Roughhouse Farmhouse Brewery ---Roughhousing is Good for You.
The new Roughhouse Brewing is located about 10 miles down Highway 12 from San Marcos, close to Wimberly, Tx. San Marcos is a college town dominated by Texas State University. Before its renaming in 2003, the university was named Southwest Texas State University. The university's main claim to fame is that Lyndon Johnson was an alumnus. Texas State is a large college. Its undergraduate enrollment is more than 34,000; that’s greater than Indiana University, or the University of Alabama.
But even with all those students, San Marcos is not a craft beer mecca. Only two breweries can be found in town. Aqua Brew an upscale brewpub and The Root Cellar a restaurant, that brews some beer. Yet just 10 miles away near Wimberly Texas three breweries are within 3 miles of each other. Roughhouse is the newest of the three.
Roughhouse is located at 612 Oakwood Loop. The brewery is located on part of the Pasternak Ranch. The brewery opened January 19, 2019, and is operated by Davy and Alex Pasternak. Davy is a University of Texas graduate and was previously the head brewer at Blue Owl before starting Roughhouse.
The brewery is a gem. It’s setting is reminiscent of other Hill Country breweries set on picturesque grounds and pursuing a farm to table model. The main building sits back from the road on ample ground. There is outdoor seating on a deck just off the main floor taproom. Further out on the grounds is a small stage. On my Saturday visit, I was treated to music by Nate Rodriguez and Stringtown along with other local musicians playing folk and bluegrass tunes, while spectators watched from the many picnic tables and chairs in the yard.
The inside of the brewery is charming. Helped by the friendly owners and their excellent staff. Davy explained each beer offering to us and also the food menu from S. Baker Kitchen. On the main level is the taproom with adequate seating. The upstairs is a loft that overlooks the production brewery. The upstairs has a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace, tables, chairs, coaches and lounge chairs for the guests. Board games are available.
On my Friday visit I sampled their four regular beers and on Saturday I had three new special offerings. Roughhouse’s regular offerings are;
Rare Merit, a low ABV Table Beer;
Treeform a 6.0 ABV Farmhouse IPA;
ONA a Farmhouse Amber with a 6.3 ABV, and
Sordid Nature a Dark Sison 8.2 ABV.
Rare Merit is what I want in a Farmhouse beer, it has a light pleasant taste, very drinkable, especially on a hot Texas summer day.
The Treeform IPA was a nice play, with a wild yeast character but not aggressively hopped.
The ONA had a wonderful flavor profile. To my palette, ONA was a light sour but tasty and easy to drink.
Finally, the Sordid Nature this dark saison was my favorite of the everyday offerings. It had a nice roasted taste, with a rich body that gave off hints of a porter.
Saturday, I returned for Roughhouse’s Texas Independence Day Celebration. On Saturday, Davy and Alex offered three new riffs on their everyday beers in small-batch brews plus the regular line up. The first was a take on their Treeform IPA with Texas Red Grapefruit Peel, the second was a variation of ONA with smoked oak from the ranch, and last Sordid Nature with toasted pecans.
But even with all those students, San Marcos is not a craft beer mecca. Only two breweries can be found in town. Aqua Brew an upscale brewpub and The Root Cellar a restaurant, that brews some beer. Yet just 10 miles away near Wimberly Texas three breweries are within 3 miles of each other. Roughhouse is the newest of the three.
Roughhouse is located at 612 Oakwood Loop. The brewery is located on part of the Pasternak Ranch. The brewery opened January 19, 2019, and is operated by Davy and Alex Pasternak. Davy is a University of Texas graduate and was previously the head brewer at Blue Owl before starting Roughhouse.
The brewery is a gem. It’s setting is reminiscent of other Hill Country breweries set on picturesque grounds and pursuing a farm to table model. The main building sits back from the road on ample ground. There is outdoor seating on a deck just off the main floor taproom. Further out on the grounds is a small stage. On my Saturday visit, I was treated to music by Nate Rodriguez and Stringtown along with other local musicians playing folk and bluegrass tunes, while spectators watched from the many picnic tables and chairs in the yard.
The inside of the brewery is charming. Helped by the friendly owners and their excellent staff. Davy explained each beer offering to us and also the food menu from S. Baker Kitchen. On the main level is the taproom with adequate seating. The upstairs is a loft that overlooks the production brewery. The upstairs has a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace, tables, chairs, coaches and lounge chairs for the guests. Board games are available.
On my Friday visit I sampled their four regular beers and on Saturday I had three new special offerings. Roughhouse’s regular offerings are;
Rare Merit, a low ABV Table Beer;
Treeform a 6.0 ABV Farmhouse IPA;
ONA a Farmhouse Amber with a 6.3 ABV, and
Sordid Nature a Dark Sison 8.2 ABV.
Rare Merit is what I want in a Farmhouse beer, it has a light pleasant taste, very drinkable, especially on a hot Texas summer day.
The Treeform IPA was a nice play, with a wild yeast character but not aggressively hopped.
The ONA had a wonderful flavor profile. To my palette, ONA was a light sour but tasty and easy to drink.
Finally, the Sordid Nature this dark saison was my favorite of the everyday offerings. It had a nice roasted taste, with a rich body that gave off hints of a porter.
Saturday, I returned for Roughhouse’s Texas Independence Day Celebration. On Saturday, Davy and Alex offered three new riffs on their everyday beers in small-batch brews plus the regular line up. The first was a take on their Treeform IPA with Texas Red Grapefruit Peel, the second was a variation of ONA with smoked oak from the ranch, and last Sordid Nature with toasted pecans.
I found the Treeform Grapefruit to be a nice touch for anyone that fancies a bit of a citrus taste profile in their IPA. The smoked oak ONA, was as described with a strong but subtle smoked profile. The plain oak barreling on additives are not overpowering like you sometimes find with an oaky chardonnay. The taste was unique and almost my favorite. The Sordid Nature with pecans was my favorite beer of the weekend. Thick bodied but not heavy, with an explosion of taste that left me wanting more.
For great beer, friendly folks, good, food, in a charming laid back setting, I highly recommend a visit to Roughhouse Brewing.
For great beer, friendly folks, good, food, in a charming laid back setting, I highly recommend a visit to Roughhouse Brewing.
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