By The Teel Team
Craft beer and lake country are a natural pairing, and the region around Richland Chambers Lake has a growing number of worthy options within comfortable driving distance. From a pioneering taproom in historic downtown Corsicana to a century-old freight depot turned brewpub in Waxahachie, the surrounding towns deliver more than most visitors expect.
Navarro County and the surrounding region don't always get credit for their craft beer scene, but that is beginning to change.
Key Takeaways
- Brick Streets Brewery: Corsicana's first craft brewery sits in historic downtown and makes an easy first stop for lake visitors heading into town.
- Athens Brewing: This downtown Athens brewpub serves craft beer and food in a historic building on the Henderson County courthouse square.
- Railport Brewing Company: Waxahachie's first brewery has been a fixture of the city's historic downtown since 2018 and continues to pour hand-crafted ales every weekend.
- Southern Roots Brewing Company: This family-owned Waxahachie brewpub operates out of a restored early-1900s freight depot and serves craft beer alongside a full food menu.
Brick Streets Brewery: Corsicana's Pioneering Craft Taproom
Brick Streets Brewery holds a distinction that matters in this part of Texas: it was the first craft brewery to open in Navarro County.
What to Know Before You Visit
- Small-Batch Brews: Brick Streets brews its beers on-site in small batches, keeping a rotating lineup of ales and seasonal releases alongside a small selection of regular taps.
- Taproom and Beer Garden: The indoor taproom is cozy and compact, while the outdoor beer garden offers a relaxed setting under the Texas sky for groups and solo visitors alike.
- Hours: The brewery is open Thursday through Saturday, with evening hours Thursday and Friday and a longer Saturday run beginning at noon — plan accordingly if you're driving in from the lake.
Brick Streets is the closest brewery to Richland Chambers Lake and a natural first stop for anyone making a day of the region's craft beer scene.
Athens Brewing: Craft Beer on the Henderson County Square
Athens Brewing occupies a historic building on East Tyler Street, just off the Henderson County courthouse square in downtown Athens.
What Draws People to Athens Brewing
- Courthouse Square Location: The downtown setting on East Tyler Street places Athens Brewing within easy walking distance of the shops, restaurants, and historic architecture that define the square.
- House-Brewed Offerings: Athens Brewing produces its own beer on-site, keeping a core lineup available year-round alongside seasonal and limited releases that give repeat visitors a reason to return.
- Hours and Schedule: Athens Brewing opens Thursday and Friday evenings and runs weekend hours from Friday through Sunday, making it a practical fit for a lake weekend that extends in either direction.
Athens sits in Henderson County, roughly an hour southeast of Richland Chambers Reservoir, and pairs well with a stop at the lake on the same trip.
Railport Brewing Company: Ellis County's First Craft Brewery
Railport Brewing Company has anchored Waxahachie's craft beer identity since 2018, holding the distinction of being the first family-owned brewery in Ellis County.
Highlights at Railport
- Hand-Crafted Ales: Railport brews traditional-style American, Belgian, and German ales, keeping flagship beers on tap year-round alongside rotating small-batch and seasonal offerings.
- Live Music and Events: The taproom hosts live entertainment on weekends with no cover charge, making it a natural destination for an evening out after a day on the water.
- Food Trucks and Yard Games: Rotating food trucks keep the food situation covered, and the outdoor setup includes yard games that make Railport a relaxed, family-friendly stop for all ages.
Waxahachie is roughly an hour's drive northwest of Richland Chambers Lake, and the town's other destinations make it worth extending the trip.
Southern Roots Brewing Company: A Freight Depot with a Full Pour
Southern Roots Brewing Company operates out of a restored early-1900s freight depot on South College Street in Waxahachie, a building with more history than most taprooms in Texas.
What to Expect at Southern Roots
- Historic Setting: The restored freight depot interior preserves the character of the original building while providing a comfortable, well-appointed dining and drinking space.
- Family-Friendly Hours: Southern Roots keeps broad daily hours — open for lunch through late evening most days of the week — which makes it accessible even for those on unpredictable lake schedules.
- Beer and Food Together: The full menu means visitors can make an evening of it — a flight of house beers followed by a proper sit-down meal in a space that earns the visit.
The breweries near Richland Chambers Lake covered in this guide round out in Waxahachie, and Southern Roots is a satisfying final stop on any craft beer route through the region.
FAQs
How far is the nearest brewery from Richland Chambers Lake?
Brick Streets Brewery in Corsicana is the closest craft brewery to Richland Chambers Lake, located in Navarro County, where much of the reservoir sits. Corsicana's historic downtown is within a short drive of most lake access points along the northern and western shoreline.
Do these breweries offer food?
Southern Roots Brewing Company in Waxahachie offers a full food menu alongside its craft beer lineup, making it the most complete dining option of the four. Athens Brewing also operates as a brewpub with food service available during open hours.
Are these breweries family-friendly?
All four breweries in this guide welcome families and pets, particularly in their outdoor seating areas. Railport markets its outdoor yard games setup as welcoming to all ages, and Southern Roots' restaurant format makes it comfortable for families throughout the week.
Find Your Lake Home with The Teel Team
Richland Chambers Lake sits at the center of a region that continues to grow — in amenities, in community, and in quality of life.
When you are ready to explore what owning property near Richland Chambers Lake looks like, we would love to be your first call. Contact us at The Teel Team today and let us show you what this part of Texas has to offer.
