5 Reasons To Check Out Cork & Barrel In Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TX — Round Rock is filled with dozens of eateries that will satisfy the foodie traveler in all of us, and the latest restaurant to do that, is Cork & Barrel.

The family-owned craft kitchen and microbrewery, located at 4000 E. Palm Valley Boulevard, opened its doors in March and offers a mixture of Texas and Irish food, beer and — above all else — hospitality.

Here's 5 reasons why you should make your way to Cork & Barrel and check this microbrewery off your Austin things to-do list.

Get a glimpse of authentic Irish architecture

One thing that sets this pub apart from others in Austin is the architecture.

Owner Sam Darlington, a native of Belfast, Ireland, made sure he and co-owner Jay Kudla would feature authentic Irish furniture and architecture inside and outside the microbrewery.

The floating fireplaces inside the pub, which is a staple in Ireland, features real stained glass windows from an old Irish abbey that dates back more than 200 years, Kudla said.

Other authentic Irish furniture pieces include the hostess stand desk, which is a custom made alter found at an old Irish abbey; and the double doors entering the pub, which was found in a Newry, Ireland pub that dates back to the late 1800s.

EXPLORE: Find placards around the pub and microbrewery, which features historical explainers on some of the architectural pieces Darlington designed and brought back from Ireland.

The food is Irish and Texan (at the same time)

What makes Cork & Barrel different from other pubs? It's the food, which somehow is able to capture both Irish and Texas tastebuds.

The craft kitchen and microbrewery features a variety of Irish-Texas fusion dishes, most notably — the Rosemary Campfire Hoey Irish Stew (Texas style) and the Cliffs of Moher Chorizo Mussels.

"It's not an Irish pub menu — it's not bangers and mash and shepherd's pie — it is still very, very Austin, Round Rock and Central Texas, but with a few unique spin," Kudla said.

Our recommendations: Try the pub pizza. The crust is thin and crispy and the sauce and toppings burst with flavor in your mouth. We recommend combining it with a pint of "I'm Your Huckleberry."

If you're looking for pub-style food, try the Guinness Battered Fish and Chips. While it's categorized as a "shareable," this appetizer will nip your hunger in a flash. We also recommend combining it with a pint of "Black Labrador Vanilla Stout." It heightens and compliments the flavors.

Want more? Check out the full menu, make a reservation and find a list of upcoming events on their website at: https://corkandbarrelpub.com/

They brew their own beer

Cork & Barrel wouldn't be a microbrewery if it didn't have its own craft beers on tap.

Kudla, Darlington and co-owner Jason Moorhead put their heads together to offer four unique craft beers on tap that will satisfy every beer enthusiasts craving.

I'm Your Huckleberry Wheat, a pale wheat IPA, features a dominant blueberry/huckleberry flavor and secondary notes of citrus like oranges (no hopps); Island Time Juicy IPA, features secondary notes of tropical fruit is full-bodied and succulent; Norm Peterson Dublin Red, an Irish red lager features secondary notes of baked bread and toffee; and the Black Labrador Vanilla Stout, features vanilla bean and malt in the full bodied beer.

Not interested in craft beer? The brewery features dozens of popular local, imported and exported beer as well as international wines from its wine cellar and a variety of special cocktail creations.

See a piece of the Titanic — no, seriously!

Both of owner Sam Darlington's grandfathers were riveters who helped build the Titanic in Belfast, Ireland, Kudla said. So it's no surprise that he left a trace of his family history throughout the microbrewery.

Visitors will be able to find a replica rivet used to build the Titanic, passed down by Darlington's family, in front of the men and womens' restrooms. The display features a brief history about the Titanic and the Darlington family's link to the vessel.

Another piece of history can be found in the restrooms, which are designed to look like a replica of the mens and ladies rooms seen aboard the Titanic.

The ladies restrooms even has the exact replica of the wallpaper that lined the walls of the luxury liner that met its fate in 1912, Kudla said.

There's live music every weekend

Bands from across Austin and Texas make their way to the microbrewery's outdoor stage to perform live shows every weekend.

You'll never get tired of the amazing Texas talent (and views) that graces this eatery and music venue.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Cork & Barrel will host its first Irish Music Festival Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16. The Pat Byrne Band will perform at 7 p.m. Friday; Blaggards at 6 p.m. Saturday and Mopac Traffic Jams at 1 p.m. Sunday; Davey Arwine & The Chancers at 4 p.m. Sunday and The Andrea Magee Band at 6 p.m. Sunday.

IF YOU GO:

What: Cork & Barrel

Located: 4000 E. Palm Valley Boulevard

(near Dell Diamond and Kalahari Resort and Convention Center)

Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays

For more information, call 512-582-0155 or visit Cork & Barrel on Facebook or the eatery's website.