Fast Friends Beer Company
Brewery · Pleasant Hill ·
Brewery with craft beer, pizza, vegan/GF options, events
Brewery with craft beer, pizza, vegan/GF options, events
"Fast Friends has great beer and spacious indoor and outdoor areas with kid-friendly games. There’s a wide array of beer styles, like a hoppy East Coast IPL, a dark amber ale, and an easy drinking Czech pilsner. Wine, cider, seltzers, and nonalcoholic beverage options are also available. The high-ceiling space has a large patio and an open kitchen focused on pizzas (including vegan options), sandwiches on crusty bread, fresh salads, and roasted vegetables." - Erin Russell
"A South Austin brewery that welcomed executive chef Laura Cristina Licona on July 1; Licona brings varied restaurant and culinary-development experience and is emphasizing vegan, gluten‑free, and dairy‑free dishes on the brewery menu. Recent additions include a hearty Italian Job sandwich with cold cuts, mozzarella, and sun‑dried tomato pesto on focaccia, a dark chocolate olive oil cake, tiramisu, and a gluten‑free pizza. The change follows the departure of outgoing chef Emily Rayburn at the end of June." - Nadia Chaudhury
"A South Austin brewery that is hosting Rebel Cheese's Shark Tank watch party tied to the show's airing on Friday, December 15 at 7 p.m." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Opened in late May at 7313 N Interstate 35 Frontage Road in South Austin, this 16,500-square-foot brewery aims to serve meat eaters, vegans, the gluten-intolerant and everyone in between by offering food, beer, and wine that accommodate many dietary restrictions. Director of culinary operations Emily Rayburn (who is vegan and gluten-intolerant) and director of brewing Keith Shaw (vegan) prioritize inclusivity: Shaw uses Brewers Clarex, a gluten-reducing enzyme that lowers gluten to levels unlikely to trigger most intolerances, and Rayburn says nearly everything on the menu can be made gluten-free or vegan at the same price. The beer selection features ales, IPAs, saisons, pilsners and ambers along with wine and cider, while the food program centers on 12 pizzas — including a pepperoni with a jalapeño swirl; a bianca with garlic-based sauce, herb ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, hot agave-based honey and pepper flakes; and the Verde with garlic-based sauce, cilantro pesto, roasted corn, mozzarella, chipotle crema and cotija — plus cajun sweet potato wedges, pretzel bites, salads and a wrap. Planned additions include monthly nine-course dinners with beer and wine pairings in the basement (starting Aug. 5 for $185 per person), a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and an outdoor food truck; the operation also emphasizes staff care with a wellness center in development and a $20/hour minimum pay. Hours are Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m." - H. Drew Blackburn
"Just off of I-35 near William Cannon, Fast Friends is a South Austin brewery, with a kid-friendly space and a dog-friendly patio. In addition to beer, there’s pizza on the menu, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, due in part to the food program being run by the chef from a plant-based supper club." - Nicolai McCrary
