It’s a good week for local beer lovers: You can find free Independence, Live Oak, (512), and Real Ale at various events around town. Also, Austin Beer Week kicks off this weekend! For everyone else, there’s a trailer food festival, a zombie dance party, an indie horror movie marathon, and as always, loads of free beverages.
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Free Popcorn at Cornucopia
10am–8pm • Cornucopia, 1914 Guadalupe St., Suite B • Free
Try free samples of the new fall flavors: Pumpkin Pie, Biscuits and Gravy, Candy Corn, White Chocolate Cranberry, and Caramel Apple.
Left Coast Cellars Wine Tasting
4–7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free
Complimentary tasting of Left Coast Cellars ’09 Pinot Gris, ’06 Cali’s Pinot Noir, and ’06 Latitude 45 Pinot Noir.
Liberty Oktoberfest
7pm–2am • The Liberty, 1618-1/2 E. 6th St. • Free
Liberty is giving away 100 steins and offering Spaten beer specials to go with them. Bratwurst-eating contest starts at 8pm.
Thursday, Oct. 20
Icenhauer’s One Year Anniversary Party
4pm–2am • Icenhauer’s, 83 Rainey St. • Free
Taco bar provided by Tacos and Tequila from 6–8pm. Happy hour with Dulce Vida Tequila specials from 4–8pm. Special guest DJ from 9pm–2am.
Free Beer Thursday with D Madness
4:30pm • Double Trouble BBQ, 5300 South Congress Ave. • $5
Cover includes … you guessed it: free beer + music by D-Madness.
Austin Design Riot
6–9pm • Threshold Furniture & Design Studio, 801 W. 5th St. #100 • Free
Free drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka, giveaways, scavenger hunt, and gift bags. Architects, interior designers, and other members of the Austin design community will speak at the event.
Lamberts Patio Party
6–8pm • Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, 401 West 2nd Street • Free
Housemade sausages, Oktoberfest beers from Live Oak, Real Ale & Spaten, and music by The Fabulous Polkasonics.
Big-Ass Social Happy Hour (BASHH)
6–11:30pm • Hangar Lounge, 318 Colorado Street • Free; RSVP requested
Mingle with your fellow Austin social media peeps. One free drink ticket for the first 100 people. Annie Ray photo booth.
Friday, Oct. 21
Free Food and Wine Party
5pm • The Market at Steiner Ranch, 4300 N. Quinlan Park Road, Suite 120 • Free
Complimentary food, 15 wines to sample, and live music.
Block Party
5–9pm • Vanity Salon & Day Spa, 2118 Oxford Avenue • Free
Complimentary cocktails, food, music, raffle, and giveaways.
Saturday, Oct. 22
Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival
11am–8pm • Auditorium Shores • Free
More than 40 of Austin’s best food trailers convene in one place for maximum sampling efficiency. Each trailer will have a sampler menu item for $3 or less. There was a huge crowd (and long lines) at this event last year, so get there early.
Scarlet Waters IV: Inner Cuts
11am–11pm • DoubleTree Hotel University Area, 1617 IH-35 North • Free; Donations welcome
All-day mini-festival of indie horror and thriller films & shorts from around the world. Costume contest at 7:45pm.
Live Oak Brewery Tour & Tasting
Noon–2pm • Live Oak Brewing Co., 3301-B East 5th Street • Free
Get an in-depth tour of the brewery led by Chip McElroy and Brian Peters, followed by a tasting of Live Oak’s current selections (and maybe a few surprises).
Balcones Burner Bash
Noon–6pm • Balcones Recycling, 2416 East 6th Street • Free
Graffiti art competition to raise money for the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. Features live music + food and local beer for sale.
Jewelry by Artists & Cocktail Social at Gallery Black Lagoon
Noon–6pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free
Complimentary cocktails, cupcakes & beverages provided by Dripping Springs Vodka, VitaminWater, Lick it Bite it or Both, & Third Coast Coffee.
Austin SUP Games
Noon–4pm • Pure Austin Fitness Quarry Lake, 4210 W Braker Lane • Free for spectators
Watch SUP Board (Stand Up Paddle Board) enthusiasts compete in a series of crazy events including an obstacle course, slalom course, jousting, and a massive water fight. Participants will attempt to break the world record for number of people on a SUP board at one time.
Uncle Billy’s Lake Travis Brewery Tour + Tasting
4–5pm • Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que, 6550 Comanche Trail • Free
Brewer Brian Peters leads a tour that features samples of Uncle Billy’s hand-crafted brew.
Independence Brewing Company 7th Anniversary Party *Event of the Week*
4–8pm • Independence Brewing Co., 3913 Todd Lane #607 • Free
Free samples of a special 7th Anniversary beer, rare beers from the Brewluminati series, and the regular Independence lineup. Entertainment will be provided by the brewer-led band as well as Austin rockabilly band Deuce Coupe.
House Wine 3rd Anniversary Party and Songbird Festival
4pm–1am • House Wine, 408 Josephine St. • Free
Free appetizers from 6–8pm, crafting projects, drink specials all day, and live music by local singer/songwriters.
Artslam! Return of the Undead!
7pm–2:30am • The ND at 501 Studios, East 5th and Brushy Street • $5
Free vodka + Red Bull from 7:30–9. DJ sets, visual effects, and professional make-up artists to help zombify the crowd.
Sunday, Oct. 23
HOPE Farmers Market 2nd Birthday + Food Day Celebration
11am–3pm • HOPE Farmers Market, E. 5th and Waller St. • Free
Free beer all day by 512 Brewing Company, demos, and healthy foods from local vendors. Live music by Chris Jamison and Bottom Dollar String Band.
Beer Olympics hosted by the Draught House
3–7pm • The Draught House, 4112 Medical Pkwy • Free
Compete for prizes in events such as Crap Beer Cornhole, Yeast Toss, Keg Lift, Blind IPA Challenge and Modified Arm Wrestling. Three people per team. This is part of the Austin Beer Week festivities.
Monday, Oct. 24
Austinist Presents: Live Music Trivia at Dive Bar
7–9pm • Dive Bar and Lounge, 1703 Guadalupe St. • Free
Dive Bar’s inaugural music trivia night will feature rounds centering on a variety of genres and tastes. Winning team gets a $50 bar tab. Sign up here.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Austin Chronicle Presents Paper Cuts: Mike and the Moonpies
7-9pm • The Palm Door, 401-A Sabine Street • Free; RSVP requested
The Chronicle’s monthly free music series features complimentary Sapporo Beer, food from Curra’s Grill, and 42 Below Vodka. You need to RSVP to guarantee admission, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.
Facebook! Twitter! More free stuff from: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512! Peace be da journey!
