Craft brewing booming in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The South Austin Brewing Company held its grand opening on Saturday, welcoming a crowd the owner estimated numbered in the thousands.

"Austinites are thirsty for really good craft beer," said brewery founder Jordan Weeks. "We're proud to be part of a resurgence of craft brewing in Texas. It's a big movement."

Austin has seen an explosion of new craft breweries. Aaron Haley with the Austin Beer Guide said it came in two waves, the first when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission legalized brew-pubs. The second wave of expansion is more recent.

"This is really the second explosion with a lot of new breweries popping up over the last year and a half," said Haley. "The economics in Austin sort of lend themselves to a lot of it, It's become a new hub."

Haley said the growth is part of a national trend. According to the Brewer's Association the craft brew industry grew by 12 percent in 2010 alone, making it worth $7.6 billion nationwide.

Fans at the South Austin grand opening are glad to see the boom.

"There's plenty of room in Austin for micro-breweries," said Dewey Coffman. "I look forward to many more opening."

His friends agreed. "You've got to have a brewery in South Austin," echoed Becky Cuttino. "I'm excited to support the beer, support the owners."