Austin’s Hi Sign Brewing to open New Brewery and Taproom

Austin, Texas craft beer maker Hi Sign Brewing has announced the grand opening of its new 13,000-square-foot East Austin taproom and production facility located at 730 Shady Lane. The brewery is ready to celebrate with a public grand opening celebration set for 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. Adding to the commemoration of this anticipated event will be the release of three new beers: two summer seasonals and one year- round beer. Hi Sign also plans to introduce an updated logo and can design by creative agency FugginHuggin.

Time for a Comeback

Hi Sign Brewing founder and CEO Mark Phillippe credits the strong support of the local community for helping his brewery weather the storm through the pandemic and economic downturn.  

“We wouldn’t have survived the last five years without our Austin community,” Phillippe said. “They sustained us over the last two years –– this new place is for them.”

Hi Sign Brewing is ready to go all- out at its grand re-opening on Saturday, July 9. Guests will get to see and experience the new industrial-style tasting room with open views of the beer-making process. DJ Stefon Osae will spin tunes later in the day, from 6pm – 10pm. Burro Cheese Kitchen’s food truck will be right there, ready to serve its famous artisan grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite. And, of course, there will be beer. El Berto the Mexican Lager, Violet the Blueberry Blonde, Shamus the Fiddler Irish Red, Wooderson the West Coast IPA, Hi-C Hazy IPA, and the scheduled new releases will all be available, ready to occupy your glass.

Phillippe says that economic and other conditions helped spur the decision to move to a new location.
“As the Austin craft beer market matured, it became apparent that we weren’t going to survive at our old location on Bastrop Highway, almost entirely due to the devastating, several-years-long Hwy 183 construction project,” Phillippe explained. “But, a scarcity of resources forced us to focus sharply on packaging and product.”

Remembering the Past

Hi Sign’s new home on Shady Lane is loaded with history. The space was once an RC Cola bottling facility back in the 1950s. After that, it served as Shiner’s first beer distribution center in Austin. And in the 1990s, it was home to Hill Country Brewing & Bottling. Phillippe spared no details on the design of the new brewery, turning to OPA Design Studio, an award winning architecture firm. OPA Design Studio is known for its work with breweries and distilleries and it was tasked to remodel and reimagine the space while making sure to remember its beverage- oriented past.

“After meeting with Ambrose [Taylor], the building’s previous owner, my vision for the project was to make minimal changes to the building — it already had amazing bones,” said Phillippe. “We have this incredible structure, and we wanted to design the space in a way that reused as many of the original materials as possible and keep some of its history alive.”

The new space is quite a bit larger than Hi Sign Brewing’s previous residence. In fact, it is over twice as large, a sign of a brewery that is on the move. The added space will help the brewery expand production. “Between the extra room and upgraded equipment, we’ll increase to a production capacity of just over 8,000 barrels per year,” said Phillippe.

Join the Celebration

Hi Sign Brewing has faced tough times recently, but the brewery has responded with toughness of its own. The larger facility, inviting tap room, and other factors will make this brewery a force to be reckoned with in the Austin, Texas area. If you happen to live nearby, be sure to pay a visit on Saturday, July 9 for the opening day festivities.