Off Main Brewing has announced the introduction of a new chef-driven test kitchen, expanding on their previous offerings and creating a fresh, experimental dining destination in the Hill Country.
Founded just over a year ago, Off Main Brewing was launched by husband-and-wife duo Travis and Laura Lindner. Now offering a variety of quality beers, wines, and dining experiences, the boutique brewery started from much quainter beginnings – their garage.
“We began home-brewing about ten years ago. It started as an excuse to hang out with our friends, but then we started winning awards,” said Lindner.
After honing their craft and others beginning to take note of it, the couple knew they wanted to try and expand to a storefront.
“My wife and I have always been entrepreneurial. We tried to open up a storefront in North Carolina when we lived there, but it fell through. We wanted to take another chance on it so that when we were looking back on our lives, there would be no regrets,” said Lindner.
Off Main Brewing opened on Memorial Day in 2023, located at 703 Water Street in Kerrville, originally offering various wines, beers, and charcuterie options. Now the chef-driven kitchen offers a dynamic eating experience, but the idea for an elevated food menu was always there.
“We originally had charcuterie out of convenience, because of the permits and licensing required to serve food. We’ve always wanted Off Main to not just be about what you eat and drink but about the food, drink, music, everything. The entire overall feeling. In February of this year, we knew we wanted to provide more and do something different,” said Lindner.
After acquiring the needed permits, Off Main Brewing brought in Chef Luis Baquero and Sous Chef Guillermo Lozano to bring fresh flavors to the Hill Country. Luis Baquero brings his experience in different cuisines and training from award-winning mentors to encourage customers to explore fresh flavors.
“Chef Luis wants to do the basics as well as they can be executed and then push the boundaries. That’s exactly what we are going to do with this menu.” said Lindner.
“We are elevating the foods everybody knows, but incorporating a fusion of new flavors to try and change people’s palates. Like our fries, we don’t serve them with ketchup. If you ask for ketchup, of course we have it on hand, but the dish comes with a lemon aioli that’s delicious and everybody loves it,” said Sous Chef Guillermo Lozano.
The chef-kitchen serves Chef Specials and releases new dishes weekly to expose their guests to new flavor combinations.
“We want to kind of expand people’s horizons a little bit. This is a place where if you want a great steak, you’re going to get a great steak. But if you’d like to try the chef special, the new, cool thing he thought up, you’re going to trust us because we kick that steak out of the park every time.” said Lindner.
To get a taste of what Chef Luis Baquero is cooking this week, visit Off Main Brewing at 703 Water Street. For more information, visit the brewery’s website at www.offmainbrewing.com.