Family-owned and -operated Mercer St. Taproom is now serving craft and domestic beers in their Hwy. 290 taproom.
Mercer St. Taproom has a variety of seating including bar seating, a lounge area with board games and playing cards, and patio and outdoor seating to sip on a craft beer from the tap. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Mercer St. Taproom has a variety of seating, including bar seating, a lounge area with board games and playing cards, and patio and outdoor seating to sip on a craft beer from the tap. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
On tap

Co-owner Jay Moreno opened the taproom in December to feature a variety of beers on 18 taps and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The taps include a selection of Texas beers, highlighting cities such as Austin, Dallas, Houston and Galveston. The selection also includes national and international beers, such as a Brazilian beer and a Belgian tap. The menu also stays fresh with a rotation of new flavors once a beer tap runs out, Moreno said.
Mercer St. Taproom offers 18 taps, including local Austin beers and other state, national and international beers. Co-owner Jay Moreno, center, said he hopes to add a tap or two home-brewed by Mercer St. Taproom. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Mercer St. Taproom offers 18 taps, including local Austin beers and other state, national and international beers.(Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
For those just getting into craft beers, Moreno suggests starting light with a lager or a pilsner. Customers are also able to sample any of the beers on tap as well, he said. Moreno’s favorite overall is a traditional German pilsner for its “crisp, clean flavor.”

His favorite Austin beers include St. Elmo Brewing’s Carl and Meanwhile Brewing Company’s Secret Beach, which make appearances on the Mercer St. menu.

Mercer St. Taproom also offers a selection of domestic beers, wines, bourbon, cocktails and more.
Mercer St. Taproom offers a variety of beverages, from beers and cocktails to non-alcoholic beverages. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Mercer St. Taproom offers a variety of beverages, from beers and cocktails to nonalcoholic beverages. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
A closer look


Moreno operates the taproom along with his wife, Kara, his brother, Jimmy, as well as his mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law. Each family member, including Moreno, holds different responsibilities in operating Mercer St., on top of their full-time jobs outside of the taproom business.

It was the travels to different distilleries and breweries with his brother and brother-in-law that sparked the idea to open the spot.

Moreno said he wanted guests to see a “unique” draft list and to create a place for people to feel comfortable in beer culture without feeling intimidated.

“We welcome all the questions and answers,” he said. “We welcome the conversation because it's an education. We have been there, and even us, we get educated too as we progress on our journey of drinking.”
Co-owner Jay Moreno said he hopes Mercer St. Taproom serves as a place for Dripping Springs community members to gather and share a laugh, afternoon or night. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Co-owner Jay Moreno said he hopes Mercer St. Taproom serves as a place for Dripping Springs community members to gather and share a laugh, afternoon or night. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Moreno wanted the business name to pay homage to Dripping Springs history and Mercer Street’s role as the “road to the Hill Country.”


“It really speaks to the history of our community,” he said. “I’m from Austin, so I've seen so much of that change happen. You just want to remember the roots of what was there before us, because as we grow, I think it's important that we acknowledge where it started. It's an homage to the growth out here, and also to what remains today.”
The name Mercer St. Taproom pays homage to the historic Mercer Street, which was the 'road to the Hill Country,' co-owner Jay Moreno said. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
The name Mercer St. Taproom pays homage to the historic Mercer Street, which was the "road to the Hill Country," co-owner Jay Moreno said. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
What else

Mercer St. Taproom features various indoor and outdoor seating, including a bar area, outdoor patio seating, a lounge area, picnic tables and more. Moreno said he wants the space to feel family- and dog-friendly, open to guests afternoon and night.
Mercer St. Taproom is family friendly and includes a playground and beverages and snacks for children. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Mercer St. Taproom is family friendly and includes a playground and beverages and snacks for children. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Drinks and snacks are also available for children, as well as a kids playground outside. Mercer Street Taproom features local food truck Mr. Chingón as their permanent food truck. This is the third food truck from Mr. Chingón in Dripping Springs.

What’s next

Moreno said he hopes to add one or two taps that are home-brewed in house by Mercer St. Taproom, as he, his brother and his brother-in-law are avid home-brewers.
Co-owner Jay Moreno said he hope to have one or two taps featuring house-brewed beer from Mercer St. Taproom, ideally this year. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Co-owner Jay Moreno said he hope to have one or two taps featuring house-brewed beer from Mercer St. Taproom, ideally this year. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
He said they are also trying to get a second permanent food truck on-site.
Garbo's had a brief stint at Mercer St. Taproom on Feb. 28. Co-owner Jay Moreno said he is trying to get a second permanent food truck out there, in addition to the already-permanent Mr. Chingón. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)
Garbo's had a brief stint at Mercer St. Taproom on Feb. 28. Co-owner Jay Moreno said he is trying to get a second permanent food truck out there, in addition to the already-permanent Mr. Chingón. (Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact)