Five Ways to Keep Cool in Austin During NIWeek (Part 1)

[Travis_M.]

It happened.  Actually, it’s happened about a dozen times this year and it doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon: Austin has hit 100 degrees.  For Austin, this summer has been much better than the record busting heat and drought wave of last summer, but now hotpocalypse has been unleashed on the whole nation and chances your engineering mind already has you cooking up ideas for ways to keep yourself cool.  As an Austin native, I’ve discovered a number of ways to beat the oppressive summer heat and so before you waste those new NI products on designing a futuristic personal cooling device check out this a collection of ways to keep cool and take in some Austin-area sights which I’ll be rolling out over the next several days.

Let's get to it and since it's Friday here's a double-dose:

5) Take a Brewery Tour

If you drink beer, chances are you'll have Shiner while you're here.  While it might not be my favorite Texas beer, the Shiner brewery gives regular weekday tours, tastings of their beer, and is located in the sleepy little town of Shiner, Texas south east of Austin.  Make an afternoon of it by first stopping for some authentic Texas Barbecue in Lockhart (the self-proclaimed “BBQ Capital of Texas”).  BBQ is a religious debate in Texas (tip: avoid brining up your favorite bbq joint in formal settings with Texans), so I’ll leave my opinions aside and leave it to you and yelp.com to pick a place that suits your taste.  The Shiner beer tours are weekdays only at several times through the day (check the website for details).

Looking for a brewery tour but don’t want to make the drive to Shiner?  Check out the honorable mentions: Live Oak, Jester King, Independence, and Real Ale brewing companies.  All have delicious beers but infrequent tour hours, so check their websites for information.

4) Amy’s Ice Cream and Waterloo Records

Had a long day of conventioneering and networking?  You deserve a cool treat and some sweet tunes.  I wouldn’t be able to call myself an Austinite without repping two of Austin’s most iconic businesses.   Amy’s Ice Cream started in Austin in the early 80s long before the franchise creameries came to town and is consistently voted best ice cream in town by Austin Chronicle readers.  The entire menu is sure to please, but I recommend anything with Mexican Vanilla.  There are multiple locations, but I personally recommend the 6^th and Lamar location. It puts you close to the next destination: Waterloo Records.  Waterloo is Austin’s most recognizable record store and has been a fixture in the city since 1982.  They are open until 11 so you should have plenty of time to enjoy your ice cream and to make it to the store before closing time.  Waterloo also hosts a number of in-store shows from some local and national acts, so be sure to check their website for current schedule.

That's it for today.  Y'all come back now ya hear?