BATCH CRAFT BEER & KOLACHES

Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches on Manor Road in East Austin is one of those places that should not work as well as it does. A Czech-Texan bakery, a craft beer bar, and a coffee shop all under one roof, with a beer garden out back that doubles as a live music venue. The kolaches are the real deal, gourmet versions made with local ingredients and creative fillings that go well beyond the gas station versions most Texans grew up on. The beer selection is one of the best in the city, with a deep rotation of local and international craft options. The space itself has a big patio, plenty of indoor seating, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to stay longer than you planned. The beer garden hosts local bands, album release parties, and seasonal events, giving the place a community-hub quality that extends beyond food and drink. Batch is family friendly and dog friendly, which matters in a neighborhood where young families and their pets are a significant portion of the population. The Manor Road corridor has become one of the better food and drink stretches in Austin, and Batch is a big reason why. It is the rare place where you can start your day with a coffee and a sausage kolache, come back for a beer flight in the afternoon, and catch a band in the garden that evening.