Bindlestick Brewing Co. Bindlestick uses recyclable and disposable kegs for brewing its beers.[/caption]

Candy Mountain India Pale Ale, made by Bindlestick Brewing Co. in Leander, is the company’s no. 1 seller and co-owner Matt Bigler’s favorite beer.

“We put fresh grated ginger and sweet orange peel in it,” co-owner and brewer Dan Kernek said. “It gives it a candy-like flavor.”

Bindlestick, located on Leander Drive, brews a variety of flavors, which are sold at local businesses, including Leander Beer Market, The Dig Pub and Redhorn Coffee House & Brewing Co., and offers taproom hours on Fridays and some Saturdays.

Bindlestick’s specialty is coming up with a unique mix of flavors to stand out from other beers, Kernek said. 

Every beer Bindlestick makes has a specific flavor to it, Bigler said. The Monkey Wagon Amber, for example, “is a malty and medium-bodied ale with [a] caramel finish. It has a spicy and floral hop profile accentuating the Pacific Northwest hops,” he said.

Kernek said he has almost 20 years of brewing experience. He used to brew at home until he and Bigler, who have been friends since fifth grade, decided to open their own brewery.

“I’ve got a pretty good idea if I have a flavor in my head what I need to do, what it’s [going to] take to accomplish that flavor profile that I’m imagining,” he said.

Customer and Leander resident Chris Parr said he enjoys the brewery’s pale ale, and he wants to see the company expand.

“Its probably one of the first IPAs that I had that wasn’t overly hoppy,” Parr said. “It has that gingerly flavor. That makes it unique. It is probably one of the best beers I [have] ever had.”

Bindlestick Brewing Co. Dan Kernek (left) and Matt Bigler, owners of Bindlestick Brewing Co., have been friends since fifth grade.[/caption]

Bindlestick Brewing Co. beer is available locally at:

  • 600 Degrees Pizzeria and Drafthouse, Georgetown
  • The Brass Tap, Round Rock
  • The Dig Pub, Cedar Park
  • Farm to Fork, Leander
  • Fire in the Hole, Round Rock
  • High Country Market, Round Rock
  • Leander Beer Market
  • Mouton’s Southern Bistro, Leander
  • Redhorn Coffee House & Brewing Co., Cedar Park