The landscape of Austin's libation locales is experiencing a shakeup with the recent closure of Austin Eastciders' Collaboratory tasting room, which occurred on October 18. In its stead, a new all-day cafe and bar named Stargazer is sprouting, as reported by Austin Eater. Proprietors Moya and Colin McIntyre of the adjacent Springdale Station plan for a November debut of the new establishment at 979 Springdale Road, Suite 130, the former home of Austin Eastciders' endeavor.
While Austin Eastciders refocuses on its cider-making expertise, the Collaboratory's successor, Stargazer, will extend its offerings from coffee and cocktails to tapped beers and ciders and include infused beverages with CBD and THC, according to Austin Eater. Anchoring the food options, Stargazer boasts two onsite food trucks, Santo Patio, and Dripping Springs Tender Co., along with treats from Lick Honest Ice Creams and prepared meals by Lucky Lime. Imbuing both convenience and modernity, QR code ordering will be available from the neighboring Bambino pizzeria.
In another development, Austin Eastciders announced the launch of its new 'Rico Tepache' drink, a pineapple-flavored beverage with roots in Mexican tradition. CBS Austin quotes Kim Oakley, Sr. VP of Marketing at Austin Eastciders, who said, "The most important thing to us is that we built it with Mexican-American voices in the room so that we could all feel proud to put the Austin Eastciders stamp on this cultural phenomenon." Rico Tepache promises a flavor profile that unites Tex-Mex culture with Austin's contemporary taste.
Austin Eastciders, having welcomed customers at the Collaboratory since 2017, closed its secondary tasting room in Zilker in 2023, but continues to offer its craft ciders nationwide. Despite the transition, they infuse local commerce with "Rico Tepache", which can be found in various formats across the Southwest, and was designed in collaboration with Mexico City-based artist Raúl Urias. Having started its journey in 2013, Austin Eastciders merged with Blake’s Hard Cider in November 2023, also marking a significant brand overhaul syncing with their partnership at the Austin City Limits Music Festival earlier this month. As reported by CBS Austin, "It’s delicious on ice or off, in a clay cup or aluminum can, with tacos or without."
