Learn More About the Art of Fermentation at the Austin Fermentation Festival

When you hear the word "fermentation," your mind might jump right to beer, but that's far from the only thing that requires fermentation. In fact, it's just one of many foods and drinks that include fermentation as a critical step in production. At the Austin Fermentation Festival, you'll get the chance to learn about many of them.

The main focus of the event is the workshops, which show you exactly how 12 different types of fermented foods and drinks are made. Some of them allow you to actually get some hands-on experience, so you can recreate the eats and sips when you go home. If you're more interested in tasting them than creating the foods and beverages, head to the market selling almost strictly fermented foods as well as the tasting stations manned by local chefs. Wine and beer will be served, and live music is also on the itinerary.

Austin Fermentation Festival
When: Sunday, October 2
Where: Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin, TX 78754
texasfarmersmarket.org/austin-fermentation-festival
www.everfest.com/e/austin-fermentation-festival-austin-tx

Sample Unique Brews at the 2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival

Touting its fame as the largest Texas-small-batch-beer festival, the 2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival will deliver high-quality specialty brews, some of which you won’t be able to find anywhere else. With over 65 breweries participating and 200 different ales to sample, you are sure to discover a new favorite. The list of brewers includes Deep Ellum Brewing Co., 4th Tap Brewing Cooperative, Whitestone Brewery, and more. There will be plenty of food from a variety of cuisines on hand as well.

Your entry fee gets you eight drinks tickets, each good for a three-ounce sample pour. You can purchase more during the event if you wish. Designated drivers get complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. The 2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival is taking place in Fiesta Gardens, located about three and a half miles from Elan East.

2016 Texas Craft Brewers Festival
When: 2 – 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24
Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin, TX 78702
www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-texas-craft-brewers-festival-tickets-25720799604?aff=es2

Build Your Own Dessert at Ice Scrapers

Ice Scrapers is a mobile ice cream business, but it's nothing like your average ice cream truck. Instead of dishing out packaged ice cream creations that have been sitting in the freezer all day, Ice Scrapers' staff creates one-of-a-kind frozen treats according to your specifications while you stand and watch.

There are three steps to ordering. First, pick your ice cream. There are dairy ice creams and coconut milk ice creams, so even the lactose intolerant can enjoy a treat at Ice Scrapers. Pick vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream. Then add your "fillers," which range from fresh banana slices and cherries to peanut butter cups, Nutella, and even green tea. Finally, select toppings such as Fruity Pebbles, caramel, or unusual extras such as cayenne pepper. There are specialty ice cream rolls and cookie ice cream sandwiches on the menu too.

Unleash Your Inner Artist at Smudge Studios Austin

Everyone is an artist at Smudge Studios Austin, even if it's been years since you've picked up a brush. The beloved local art studio hosts camps and classes for kids as well as art lessons for adults, mostly on a private basis. So it's the perfect place to host your next event.

The founders of Smudge Studios Austin created the colorful studio so that anyone, whether artist or not, would have a place to unleash their inner artist. If you're interested in doing an adults-only evening at Smudge, call to schedule a lesson or party. You're welcome to bring your favorite wine and beer along to enjoy while you create a painting based on the instruction of one of Smudge Studios' resident artists.

Expect the Unexpected at Bribery Bakery

At Bribery Bakery, the main goal is to create a comfortable space where guests feel right at home as they indulge in sweet, creative treats. To that end, the bakers are always coming up with new creations, so don't expect to see the same thing on the menu every time you visit.

Decadent treats like the almond-caramel brownie, the pineapple brown butter blondie, and the peanut butter cookies with chocolate ganache and sea salt might be available to tempt your taste buds, depending on the day. But you can almost always count on customer favorites such as the carrot cake, the savory bread pudding, and the popovers. The popovers contain savory ingredients such as crispy bacon and gooey gruyere cheese. Pair your chosen delicacy with some drip or cold-brew coffee at Bribery Bakery.

Austin Music Video Festival: A Celebration of the Visual Side of Music

From huge music video epics to lesser known videos by local indie bands, the Austin Music Video Festival is set to screen a wide variety of videos this September in downtown Austin. The music video fest lights up movie theater screens around the city from September 7th to the 10th.

Beyonce's latest visual album will headline the event, but you can also see music videos by Santigold, The Weeknd, and CHVRCHES, not to mention other indie bands such as Foals, Mother Falcon, and Lord Huron. Interspersed between the screenings of music videos, the festival will also host concerts, awards ceremonies for the best productions, and panels discussing various videos. Snag your ticket now so you don't miss the fun.

Austin Music Video Festival
When: September 7 – 10
Where: Downtown Austin, TX
Cost: $25+
www.austinmusicvideofestival.com
www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-music-video-festival-awards-september-7-10-2016-tickets-26465704635?mc_cid=dee384db9b&mc_eid=fefe9ad018

Tapioca House: A Solid Choice for Bubble Tea Near You

A hole-in-the-wall spot that’s a hidden gem, Tapioca House outdoes other area bubble tea places with its inexpensive but tasty fare and fast service. A locally established chain with other locations in Houston and Dallas, Tapioca House serves genuine Taiwanese tapioca drinks and snacks.

The most popular drinks here are the bubble teas, and there’s a huge selection of tea flavors to choose from, including unique ones like French vanilla, green apple, and pumpkin. For a more decadent treat, try the Mint Oreo Ice Cream Shake or the Chocolate Snow. The prices here are affordable, especially the lunch combos. For under $7, you can get chicken wings, rice, and a drink. The speedy service will have you in and out the door, so it’s a great stop on your way to or from work. Tapioca House is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Elan East.

Frosty Sweets and Fun Await at the Austin Ice Cream Festival

Good Pops, Austin Scoops, and Amy's Ice Cream are just a few of the local shops participating in the fun at the 10th Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival. The fest kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 13 in Austin's Fiesta Gardens, and it's bringing plenty of frosty flavors to you and your group. There will even be dairy-free ice creams, including the sweets from NadaMoo.

In addition to the many ice cream vendors slated to show off their stuff at the Austin Ice Cream Festival, the event will also offer live music, games, and contests. If you're an ice cream fanatic, take part in the ice cream-eating contest and see how you stack up against other local sweets-lovers. Or you can help build the best popsicle stick sculpture or whip up a batch of homemade ice cream and let judges decide how you did.

Austin Ice Cream Festival
When: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 13
Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2100 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin, TX 78702
Cost: $15
austinicecreamfestival.com
www.everfest.com/e/austin-ice-cream-festival

Enjoy a Locally Crafted Cold One at the 4th Tap Brewing Cooperative

What’s better than having a local brewery and taproom close to your home? Residents of Elan East Apartments, you’ll be happy to know that 4th Tap Brewery and taproom is just 15 minutes away.

4th Tap Brewery has some unorthodox features that offer a more relaxed and comfortable environment. First, there are no bartenders—everyone who works at the brewery, from the brewers to the owners, pitch in to serve guests one of the 10 beers on tap. Also, there is a bring-your-own-food model that allows anyone to show up with snacks to enjoy with a cold one. There are also regular food trucks parked outside the brewery, in case you'd like to grab food on site. The taproom’s website lists the food truck schedule, so you can check to see when your favorite will be serving snacks. Be sure to check out this great local brewery this summer!

Sip Bubble Tea This Summer at UTea Town

Bubble Tea is the star of the menu at UTea Town, a bubble tea shop that also serves an assortment of other beverages too. The menu is full of dozens of bubble teas in flavors like green tea, yellow mango ice, peach cream, avocado cream, cherry ice, and more. For drinks in addition to tea, UTea Town offers hot chocolate, Thai tea, peach juice, frozen mocha coffee, and iced coffee. UTea Town is adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin, so it’s just over a mile from Elan East.

UTea Town is also a great spot to visit during the summer months for a frozen treat. There is indoor seating at the shop and free Wi-Fi too. Most people choose to enjoy their drinks as takeout, though. UTea is open daily and has been a popular spot for bubble tea in Austin for years—so check it out!

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