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without prior arrangements, but when in New<br />
Braunfels, seek them out. And Godspeed them<br />
to <strong>Austin</strong>.<br />
We blew our time budget at Guadalupe,<br />
but luckily Hunter was buddies with the brewer<br />
at our next stop and offered to lead the way. It<br />
was the New Braunfels’ craft beer equivalent of<br />
a police escort.<br />
Our next “planned” stop was the Faust<br />
Hotel and <strong>Brewing</strong> <strong>Co</strong>., a historic hotel that has<br />
been restored (not renovated or updated) right<br />
off of the main drive going into town. It’s the<br />
classiest joint in New Braunfels and they brew<br />
their own beer to boot. We met up with brewer<br />
Ray Mitteldorf at Faust’s bar. We all drank the<br />
Alt. It was pretty great. Ray gave us a tour of<br />
his copper clad 7 barrel brewhouse and then<br />
at some point we all ended up in a suite on<br />
the fourth floor. It was pretty swanky. Historic<br />
swank. The best kind. We had another beer<br />
or two, left the Honda, and walked to our next<br />
destination.<br />
Still following Hunter’s lead and with<br />
Ray in tow, we trekked a few hundred paces<br />
deeper into New Braunfels’ gullet and found<br />
ourselves awkwardly walking in on some type<br />
of talent show at the Phoenix Saloon. While<br />
effectively doubling their talent show<br />
audience, we all found seats at the bar<br />
and made ourselves comfortable. This<br />
establishment fits that nouveau Hill <strong>Co</strong>untry<br />
aesthetic that is becoming so hip at finer<br />
places south and west of <strong>Austin</strong>. With about 30<br />
taps, and several of the local usual suspects,<br />
this was a solid stop on our trip. We ordered<br />
a few appetizers and especially enjoyed the<br />
sweet potato wedges. They had a yummy<br />
whipped cream dipping sauce. So good.<br />
Again, we dipped too deep into our time<br />
budget here as we delved into talking about<br />
Hawaii, getting married, having babies, how<br />
much everyone loved the Spring guide, how<br />
we would probably disappoint with the<br />
Summer guide, and how much we loved the<br />
whipped cream dipping sauce for the sweet<br />
potato wedges.<br />
After a group trip to the little boys’ room,<br />
Hunter took me downstairs to the Phoenix<br />
basement and showed me where they once<br />
hosted illegal alligator fights and the trap door<br />
and shoot they used during prohibition. If that<br />
last sentence doesn’t convey it, I’ll spell it out:<br />
this place is legitimate. A must stop when in<br />
New Braunfels.<br />
FAUST HOTEL ROOM
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