The barbecue and beer run: Lockhart, Luling, Shiner
Photo: Heather Cowper / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
DriveLockhart is 35 minutes from downtown; Shiner is 1 hour 35
Best daysAny day but Monday. Kreuz and Smitty's run out early on weekends, so start by 11.
Who it is forMeat eaters, road trip kids, anyone with a Shiner Bock loyalty
Three towns, three Texas food religions. Lockhart is the barbecue capital by act of the Legislature, Luling smokes sausage over post oak next to a watermelon water tower, and Shiner is a brewery with a town attached. Drive it as a loop: 183 south, 90 east, 95 back north.
11:00amStop 1· 35 min drive
BBQ · 619 N Colorado St, Lockhart, TX 78644 · ★ 4.4 (4,753)
No sauce, no forks, butcher paper only. Order the shoulder clod and a ring of sausage at the pit.
11:45amStop 2· 3 min drive
BBQ · 208 S Commerce St, Lockhart, TX 78644 · ★ 4.4 (3,699)
Walk in through the smoke-black pit room. Split a pound of brisket and keep moving; you have two more towns.
12:30pmStop 3· 3 min drive
Barbs B Q Michelin Recommended
BBQ · 102 E Market St, Lockhart, TX 78644
The Michelin nod on the square. If the line is long, the green spaghetti to go is still worth it.
1:30pmOn the way· 20 min drive
BBQ · 633 E Davis St, Luling, TX · ★ 4.6 (3,627)
Order at the pit through the swinging door. The sausage is the reason Luling exists.
2:45pmStop 5· 35 min drive
Tour · 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984 · ★ 4.8 (935)
Free tours on the hour, a taproom, and the gift shop everyone ends up in. Book the tour online in summer.
4:00pmOn the way· 3 min drive
Music Venue · 1701 N Ave E, Shiner, TX 77984 · ★ 4.6 (63)
The gas station and grocery with the kolaches and hunting licenses. Fill the tank and the cooler.
4:15pmStop 7· 2 min drive
Antiques · 720 N Ave E, Shiner, TX 77984 · ★ 4.8 (175)
Exactly what it says, on the main drag. Good for the non-drivers.
If you have time
OptionalIf you have time
BBQ · 206 W 2nd St, Taylor, TX 76574 · ★ 4.4 (2,677)
The other direction: Taylor is 45 minutes northeast, and Louie Mueller's beef rib is the finest single bite in this whole section. Make it its own day.
Know before you go. Cash still helps in Lockhart. Kids ride free on the Shiner tour. If you only have a half day, do Lockhart alone and sit on the square.