By Anna Mazurek

Photos Courtesy Austin Monthly 

“I think we missed the turn,” my friend Lara says as the small two-lane road we’re driving along veers to the right.

We turn around and take a sharp right onto a smaller road. Sure enough, Revolver Brewing appears on the horizon across the road from a farm. The parking lot and grounds are packed, and a band plays on a stage outside the main brewery building. Why, I wonder, is a craft brewery located in the middle of nowhere?

The answer is simple, and it’s one of the main ingredients in beer. Revolver chose this location 9 miles from the center of Granbury based on the quality of water, which they source fresh from their well on the Trinity Aquifer.

My quest to visit every brewery in Texas brought me to Granbury based on the suggestion of Lara, who grew up in the town. As it turns out, it’s the perfect setting for a leisurely summer weekend—and not just because of its stellar brewery. The town features a wide variety of attractions, including water sports, a drive-in cinema, a thriving town square, and tasty breakfast burritos.

Exercise 

Work off what you drank at Revolver on the Moments in Time Hike & Bike Trail. The scenic 2.17-mile trail runs along the edge of Hewlett Park to the airport and crosses through scenic Shanley Park. When the weather is hot, take a refreshing dip in Lake Granbury. The lake has five public boat ramps, three fishing piers, and four campgrounds. Guests can rent kayaks, pontoon boats, and stand-up paddleboards at Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill. 
(photo by Anna Mazurek)

Shop 

Drop into 1890 Marketplace to taste its wide array of imported specialty olive oils and spices. They also have a restaurant above and lounge downstairs that offer the same products sold in their store. For home decor, check out the swankiest spot on the square, Home Sweet Home. The shop is lined with upscale quilts and bedspreads. Be sure to pop into Stephen’s of Granbury to see the brick wall covered in a large restored mural that dates to 1906. The clothing and accessories shop was originally an alley before being turned into a building and is run by a designer from Houston. 

See

Explore the shops and restaurants that line the historic Granbury Square, which was the first downtown in the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While there, be sure to tour the Hood County Courthouse. The three-story limestone building was constructed in 1890 and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week for self-guided tours. For a spirited live show, head to the Granbury Opera House, where the Granbury Theatre Company hosts performances nearly every weekend. Looking for a retro activity? Join the line of cars outside the Brazos Drive-in, which shows movies on weekends starting at dusk. 

Drink 

Revolver Brewing is open weekly on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., with a tour offered at 1:30 p.m. For $10, visitors can buy a pint glass, which includes two to four 8-ounce tastings. Don’t miss a sample of one of the brewery’s flagship beers, Blood & Honey, a golden ale made with blood orange zest and local Texas honey.

(photo courtesy Farina's Winery & Cafe) 

Eat

Start your day with one of the amazing breakfast burritos at popular Montes Breakfast Burritos. At lunchtime head to Farina’s Winery & Cafe for a cheese plate and a glass of locally made white wine. Located on the main town square, the cafe features a three-room bed- and-breakfast upstairs. Try the homemade baked ziti and pizzas at Pastafina, a local favorite for Italian food, and ask for a side of tomato basil dressing to go with the bread. For a fun alfresco experience, grab a seat on the large outdoor patio and order German fare at Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Biergarten. 

Drive

Take a small detour to visit Acton State Historic Site, home to the grave of Davy Crockett’s second wife. The tiny plot lies in the Acton Cemetery and features a statue of Elizabeth Crockett, who appears to be looking for her husband in the distance. When the weather is dry, head to Dinosaur Valley State Park in nearby Glen Rose. The dinosaur tracks there are best viewed when water levels are low, so call ahead to check on visibility. 
(photo courtesy Texas Parks & Wildlife) 

Stay

Rent one of the three private cabins at The Windmill Farm & Bed and Breakfast in nearby Tolar. The property features more than 30 restored windmills spread across 26 acres, and the farm is open to the public daily for self-guided driving tours. For views of the lake, snag a room at the Inn on Lake Granbury, a charming bed-and-breakfast within walking distance of the main square.