The German word "reinheitsgebot" represents a purity law for brewing, stating that you need four elements to craft a truly pure beer: water, hops, grain and yeast. Mike Brune believes that there is an important fifth element that Reinheitsgebot is missing, which is human connection. As a lifelong and self-proclaimed chemistry nerd, Brune started his brewing career at home, moving from a five-gallon bucket to the three-and-a-half barrel system at 5th Element Brewing in Leander.

The context

The center of the 5th Element Brewing logo features a thumbprint to emphasize the importance of human connection.

“It's the one thing that's bonding all the other elements together,” Brune said. “So, we have always wanted to serve as a gathering point for people to spend time together.”

Brune and his wife, Kim Destefano-Brune, opened the brewpub together in Old Town Leander two years ago, but they started looking for a home for 5th Element in 2014. Their goal was to open a friendly, local space for people in the community to gather. The location they found is a 1940’s home that the couple converted into a microbrewery with an attached beer garden. The location is also accessible to Austin and Leander residents through CapMetro public transportation to mitigate drunk driving.


Brune said he was inspired to open the brewery in Leander after living there for over a decade and being so welcomed by residents. He hoped to pay it forward through investing back into the community.

“We believe that by working and living in our zip code in our same town, we can help make a difference for that community from day one,” Brune said.

Looking for a libation?

The business currently offers 11 beers on tap, including St. Barth’s, a Belgian Style Pilsner, and the Arnold Schawrzenlager, a Czech Style Black Lager. Other menu offerings include the Hemp Hemp Hooray THC Seltzer and the non-alcoholic mineral water and Michenada.


Brune said that each beer has a meaningful backstory.

“We always put a little piece of ourselves into everything we put out to the community because we want to be as original as possible when it comes to connecting with our patrons and with our people,” Brune said.

Giving back

5th Element Brewing is closed to the general public three days a week, two for cleaning and brewing and one for the community to host specialized events in the space. Brune said one of the biggest goals in operating the brewery is to put people first in every sense.


“We're very open to supporting the community and lending our space,” Brune said. “I’m a firm believer [that] if I have something that someone can use and I'm not using it, as long as they treat it with respect and love, I'm happy to lend it.”

Brune encourages people to inquire about event hosting over email.

The brewpub also hosts regular events that are open to the public, including a weekly meet up for mothers every Thursday and a board game night every other Thursday.

Looking ahead


The owners are currently working on expanding 5th Element Brewing at its current space, looking to relocate the parking lot, expand the taproom, bring in a playscape, dog area and have a semi-permanent space to host farmers markets.

Brune said he hopes to double the brewing capacity to serve more people in the community and sell products at local restaurants and venues.