25APR26 Been on…read moretheir mailing list a few years, and finally my schedule and their (Texas Mead Works/Blue Lotus Winery) day trip offerings aligned. Saturday afternoon kokedama (think potting plants, but doing it without pots) was listed as 1pm to 3pm, and with the advice to show up early if you wanted to order drinks or snacks to enjoy in the course of it. Most people seem to have gathered and done their sampling beforehand. We arrived ten minutes early and were third in line to order in the tasting room, where there was only one employee on duty. She was kind and informative, and we managed to walk in to class what used to be politely termed as fashionably late. I had a glass of peach mead in hand, Mr R had a chocolate bar in hand and a black olive pizza on order. The kokedama class was fun, run by a couple who had recently been florists in their own storefront. Tables had been nicely prepped beforehand. An hour later, a mixed group of plant experts and novices left with attractive creations that had a story/memory attached. On exiting the event room, Mr R took our plants to the car and went to fetch the pizza. I wandered back into the tasting room and asked whether she recommended trebbiano or dry Viognier for someone who likes pinot gris. Samples proved tasty and while they were both really nice on their own, I went with a bottle of trebbiano for lunch. The pizza was lovely--great crust, tasty but balanced toppings, perfect serving temperature--and we enjoyed it on the back porch. Splitting it between two adults was perfect for lunch and the rest of the bottle went in the trunk for the ride home. The chocolate bar predictably transformed waiting on the porch with us in full sunlight (our bad planning, it recovered in the fridge at home) as we had a laugh and enjoyed good food. Some of the other participants came and went as well, but most chose to depart for the rest of their day or stay inside in the AC, which I understand. Outside, of course, we got to enjoy local birds, sounds of kids and horses enjoying Saturday afternoon life on nearby properties, and a couple Guinea fowl who wandered by after the pizza was gone. We were on the less finished end of the grounds, but could see the nearby rental cabins (built to resemble wine casks) and a pavilion for weddings and other parties. There were several chairs and tables just outside the tasting room as well as inside. It's not a full restaurant, just a short list of maybe four items to accompany wine/mead tasting or satisfy friends who have tagged along. The shiny columns of bottles are the main reason most people are here, and there is a nice variety of flavors to enjoy. Prices are reasonable and there's the option of a wine club if you want to explore more than just an afternoon of beverages or have favorites you plan on enjoying regularly. You don't have to participate in a scheduled activity to just visit on your own, but it can be an added incentive to make the drive out. They close at 6pm.

Great little winery and mead tasting room just outside of Seguin! The hostess was amazing and had…read moresuggestions for both the wine side and the mead side. Will be coming back to try the different wines & meads that they had to offer.

The store had been here a few years before I stopped in. The staff is friendly and helpful. The…read morestore is in a cool old building renovated by the owners. What is most remarkable about this place is its low prices for where it is. I thought it would be like one of the chain convenience stores and it is so much better and so much less expensive. They have locally grown meat and eggs, too. Go check it out!

Highly recommend! Can't say enough about the flavor combinations Blue (owner/chef/sommelier)…read morecreates. Celebrated my birthday with a group of friends who live in large cities with very established food scenes, we were all blown away by the meal plus excellent wine selection. Everything was so fresh and wonderful. Look forward to dining again soon.

Went here last night with a friend. Absolutely charming place! The owner is an amazing chef and…read moreknows some serious wine. The food is all locally sourced and made from scratch. It was my first time in there and I will for sure be back! We shared a beet salad and the beef burger. Both were absolutely amazing. I know you'd say "oh, Julie, those aren't that big of a deal"...yes, yes it was. It was absolutely melt in your mouth burger and salad perfection. My friend said she has had almost everything on the menu and thinks it's all wonderful. I asked the chef to pick a Merlot for me...she did...it was so good! My friend had coffee and said her coffee is so good she will drive there from the next town over to get it. She also said it doesn't need anything to take away from the flavor. Often she puts sugar in her coffee, but not here! They also sell wine by the bottle and they had a few other cute local items for sale. A sign that I thought was precious said something like "my book group reads wine labels". They have tables in there, they also have a nice lounge area where you can sit comfy. Love the vibe, love the chef, 10/10!!

Great quick stop to fuel up armed pick up some drinks while on the road back to Houston. It's right…read moreoff the highway. People there yo you're on the highway so they're pretty quick at moving you along. Which we very much appreciate

A medium-sized convenience store that is kept clean and tidy. Likewise, the bathrooms are perfectly…read moreserviceable although not anywhere near the Buc-ees clean some have come to expect. Everything you'd expect is sold, from lottery tickets, to cigarettes and snuff, to sodas and snacks. There's a soda fountain, too, along with a decent variety of brewed coffee. They accept ATM cards (chip cars, ok) but do not offer cash back. Oh, and they sell gas. Other than that, not much to add.

Every once in a while we enjoy grabbing donuts in the morning on our way out to kiddos baseball…read moregames. We always stop here as the donuts have always been fresh and tasty. Service is always top notch - very friendly and attentive. There is plenty of room inside for multiple guests, and it's not noisy at all. Coffee is decent, nothing fancy.

Good doughnuts, ok breakfast, decent prices. The hours are short, so go early, they close around 2read more

This place is absolutely worth the drive! My husband and I were visiting the area and I was…read moredetermined to find gluten-free fish and chips--something I rarely get to enjoy because of celiac disease. After seeing BS Brewing recommended over and over, we decided to give it a try, and it exceeded every expectation. The dedicated gluten-free fryer gave me complete peace of mind, and the fish and chips were phenomenal--crispy, flavorful, and every bit as good as the traditional version. It's such a treat to find a place that takes gluten-free dining seriously without sacrificing taste. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area!

Great outdoor place! We were lucky to come right when a storm front was blowing away the extreme…read moreheat. Looking forward to coming with the kids next time. They will have so much fun with the play area. The service was very warm and welcoming also. Good beer, good food, good atmosphere. That's what we were looking for!

What started as an accidental phone call to a distillery in Luling, Texas, led me to discover a…read moreremarkable hidden gem. KC Cantwell, the self-proclaimed "Chief Bottle Washer," introduced me to Edelbrand--a European-style fruit brandy with over 6,000 years of Austrian mountain tradition. The Austrian Connection In the Alpine slopes, Edelbrand production is strictly regulated by local government. Distillers receive low taxes but can only use water, yeast, and fruit--absolutely no sugar or added flavors. Violators face license revocation, heavy fines, or imprisonment, echoing Germany's Beer Purity Law philosophy. Founder Alexandra Cantwell traveled to Austria's Alpine region, where she discovered that in the town of Stanz alone, 52 distilleries operate--each guarding family secret recipes passed down through generations. These craft producers make only about 62 gallons annually, too limited for chain stores and typically served only in local restaurants. The Austrian tax system is fascinating: officials visit each distillery during fruit season to assess harvest volume and estimate liquor yield. Since taxes are based on fruit input rather than sales, producers are incentivized to optimize their processes for maximum yield. Just before Alexandra's departure, a local master discovered her true mission--bringing Edelbrand to Texas. Intrigued, he arranged for her to be interviewed by seven masters from another village. They believed Edelbrand-making is a cultivated ability, not merely a learned skill. After passing their tests, she trained intensively for two weeks, leaving not as an apprentice but as a certified master. The Texas Operation KC and Alexandra launched their Luling distillery in 2016, sourcing only pristine fruit from across the United States--no rot, bruises, or windfalls accepted. Their fermentation process occurs in temperature-controlled rooms around 65°F. While standard fermentation lasts 3-10 days, theirs extends 3-4 weeks using temperature-sensitive Austrian yeast with multiple monitoring alarms. Distillation happens in two German-built Schmidt stills with two runs: the stripping run quickly removes alcohol and water, while the spirit run precisely separates heads, hearts, and tails to capture the purest spirit. The chemistry is complex. The fermented mash contains water, alcohols, ethers, esters, acids, sugars, tannins, and sulfur compounds. The critical second distillation has three temperature phases. The "heads" contain toxic methanol that must be removed, but this temperature range also includes desirable esters and aldehydes contributing fruity and floral aromas. Masters taste the product constantly--every hour, then every 30 minutes, then every 5 minutes, finally every 30 seconds--to capture the "heart" that's methanol-free but retains aromatic compounds. The second cut separates "heart" from "tail," which contains heavier problematic compounds like higher alcohols, fatty acids, and sulfur compounds with rubbery or rotten-egg odors. Cutting too early loses flavor compounds that provide sweetness and fruity notes. Aging Innovation After distillation, the liquor ages 7-18 months depending on batch conditions. Here's where they innovate: traditional bourbon aging can lose 20% to "angel's share," unacceptable for high-end Edelbrand. Instead of barrels, they age in stainless steel tanks with lightly toasted American white oak spiral strips soaked in the liquor. The oak amount is carefully controlled to avoid overpowering the delicate fruit aromas. The Tasting Experience I sampled six varieties: clear apple, pear, and cherry, plus their oaked versions. The apple's aroma was so pronounced I could smell it three feet away when KC opened the half-empty bottle. The clear pear showed layered complexity, while the cherry didn't initially smell like cherry but revealed its flavor after a moment in the mouth. Among the oaked versions, the apple oak opens with oak and finishes with apple; the pear oak reverses this--pear first, then oak. The cherry oak achieves beautiful balance with both flavors present throughout. Worth the Investment I spent nearly $85 that afternoon--significant for a graduate student--but felt completely satisfied. The $22 tasting, $44 clear apple bottle, taxes, and $10 tip were well worth it. KC generously spent two hours with me, a single customer, sharing his knowledge and passion. This distillery represents something special: authentic European tradition transplanted to Texas soil, where Austrian mountain craft meets American innovation. If I return, I'm definitely bringing friends for the full tasting experience.

Go here! Me and 3…read moreother guys went here for a bachelor party evening. Kasey was absolutely unbelievable, his knowledge was amazing and the lesson he gave us was amazing. The drinks are spectacular. If you are into good Brandy, check this place out. It's cheap and you will learn a lot. Alexandra's ability as a master distiller is beyond amazing and you'll learn that.

Up front they have a convenient store and in the back, beer and pool …read more If you're looking for an old fashioned hole in the wall beer joint and pool hall, this is it.

Four star ONLY BECAUSE OF KATE ! she is very attentive always comes out on the floor to make sure…read moreeveryone is good , keeps my beers filled. I love that she's on the floor productive never stops always very communicative but still get work done , she's very friendly and keeps convos short , 50/50 play and fun and that's how it should be!! Every other time I come In with different bartenders it's never the same , not attentive almost as if they are bothered by you getting a beer but her ! NEVER! She's a blast