In an effort to prevent the bulldozing of beautiful land in southwest Austin, local craft beer maker Jester King Brewery has decided to purchase 58 acres of property bordering Ceres Park Ranch.
It’s common knowledge that Austin is growing fast, both outward and upward, with recent data from Forbes suggesting a 13.4% population boom and the largest number of inbound domestic migrants of all major U.S. cities. But, when Jester King’s founder Jeffrey Stuffings felt that encroachment nearing his pristine property, he decided to nip it in the bud in an effort to preserve the native landscape and prevent private developers from putting up rows of tract homes.
“This would obviously compromise the rural, rustic character of the brewery and our ability to make authentic farmhouse ale,” the company said in a statement. “We now have the confidence of knowing that the natural beauty of the land around us, for as far as the eye can see and then some, will be preserved for the long run.”
With Stanley’s Farm House Pizza also positioned nearby, the company hopes to create a working farm and rural destination for artisan food purveyors. With a back-to-the-basics approach, Stuffings intends to start both a vineyard and orchard on his newly acquired property. If all goes according to plan, Jester King Brewery will also be home to coffee roasting, olives and olive oil, composting, dairy farming, and horticulture.
“It’s no secret that we consider ourselves to be an authentic farmhouse brewery,” the company said.
Among other lofty goals, Jester King intends to dedicate much of its newly acquired Hill Country land to public use, with the creation nature trails in the area, host weddings, farmers markets, and art fairs.
And to that we tip our hats, Mr. Stuffings.
