Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery committed to mixed culture and spontaneous fermentation, based in Austin, Texas.
Nestled on 165 acres in the Texas Hill Country, Jester King Brewery & Kitchen is dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and stewardship of the land. Several acres are allocated to their working farm, with progress being made towards food crops that can be used in their kitchen as well as beer production.
Jester King beers incorporate local well water, grains, fruits and vegetables, foraged plants, and native yeast and bacteria so as to make beer uniquely tied to a time, place, and people. The inspiration comes from the classic farmhouse breweries of Europe that embrace principles of subtlety, patience, full attenuation and interesting fermentation character.
In October of 2010, they sold their first beer to Draught House in Austin, Texas. In 2011 Jester King bottled their first ever beer ‘Black Metal’, an imperial stout, and also saw them move to using only a pure culture of French Saison yeast or mixed cultures of yeast and bacteria for fermentation.
This move, which proved to be an incremental step, was inspired by a desire to become a more authentic farmhouse brewery. They then made the decision to abandon pure culture fermentation and focus exclusively on mixed culture beer. 2013 also marked their first use of a coolship to make 100% spontaneously fermented beer.
2016 saw the release of the first spontaneously fermented beer, which was to be the foundation of the legendary SPON series. Undoubtedly their flagship beer release, the SPON series is the jewel in the Jester King crown.
Since then the series has spawned a yearly blend as well as fruited and barrelled versions that are renowned the world over, with little escaping from Texas itself. Celebrated here by us as ‘Sponzee Day’ – this annual vintage blend is a must try for any discerning beer fan. It’s an evolving series that as beer wholesalers we are incredibly proud to be importing and helping curate amongst our friends in the trade.
In January 2020, the brewery also began creating and offering some of their favourite “clean” beer styles, while staying true to their principles of locality. A particular clean highlight is the ‘Ordinary Bitter’. There’s nothing moribund here though, a beer inspired by the best of traditional UK brewing techniques, resulting in a beautiful expression of hop and grain in perfect harmony.
Also sharing the farm and somewhat the company mascot is the foraging browser, remediator of land, great horned beast–the goat. Reputed as ornery creatures, these animals exhibit only kindness when shown respect. The herd is a matriarchy, the current ruling Queen is Luna… long may she reign!
Buy Jester King Beer from Distant Lands