Founder Dave Childress said he and his team have a focus on creating a safe, inclusive community for everyone.
"Our motto is 'Do good. Love big. Live now.' And, basically, we just want everyone to feel they belong and be inspired to do great things," Childress said.
The motto is built around a nonprofit Childress is part of called DO/LOVE/LIVE. The nonprofit focuses on the well-being of various communities of people, and Childress said he wants that to be reflected in Fast Friends Beer Co.
As an Army veteran, Childress also has a vested interest in veteran-based charities, in addition to youth mentorship and overall mental health. Childress said part of the reasoning behind creating FFBC was to create an economic engine to help him and his team give back to the community.
The main taproom, which takes up about 1 acre, is open; however, Childress and his team have plans to expand the 16,500-square-foot brewery for its patrons.
"We have aggressive goals," Childress said. "We will open a downstairs taproom that will be more sexy and intimate than the upstairs area. We will also have a barrel room speakeasy, a beer garden with pergolas and communal tables, places for the kids and dogs to play, and more. We're hoping to initiate a coffee/breakfast program by the end of the summer, too, where everyone can just come and do their own version of living life together."
In addition, Childress plans to use the outdoor area behind the building to create a treehouse amphitheater while preserving the natural green space.
Childress said he chose the South Austin area because, not only do he and his business partners live here, but he has a deep love of the vibes Austin gives off.
"It's like, in South Austin, everyone just coexists," Childress said. "Everyone is just artful and accepting—it is a conglomeration of all these different folks who all have an end goal of just having a human connection with one another."
Both the food and beer menus are seasonal, Childress said.
At the helm of the brewing is Brewery Operations Director Keith Shaw, who is the former Modern Times Anaheim head brewer. On tap this month are eight beers, all made in-house and hand-picked by Shaw. They include beers ranging from cream ales to pilsners and several India Pale Ales. Next on the rotation will be a seltzer cocktail program that will provide a breadth of alcoholic and nonalcoholic, high-gravity-brewed seltzers for everyone to enjoy, Childress said.
Emily Rayburn is the director of culinary operations and focuses her time on creating nutritious, delicious options that everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can enjoy. Appetizers include various veggies and pretzel bites, and mains include salads, wraps, subs and—their specialty—pizzas.
"We have options for meat-eaters, vegans, people with gluten intolerance and more," Rayburn said. "We want to put an emphasis on health and wellness that people will really feel when they are here."
Rayburn said nothing they offer is fried in grease—anything fried is made in an air fryer. All the food served is locally sourced, including the flour used in their pizza dough. Rayburn said the menu will rotate every quarter, noting the goal is to provide a varying menu that is both healthy and tasty.
The name "Fast Friends" was formed in 2020 when many of the teammates met for the first time and quickly became friends—and that is precisely what Childress said he hopes to bring to everyone who visits.
"We aspire to be a beacon of positivity and a happy place for human connection," Childress said. "We welcome any and everyone to join us."
Fast Friends Beer Co.
7313 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Austin
Instagram: Fast Friends Beer Co.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
