By Moses Leos III
Soon after starting up the Jester King Brewery outside of Dripping Springs, owner Jefferey Stuffings realized the rapid pace of growth experienced in the area.
But with the purchase of 58 acres of land, Stuffings and his partners at Jester King hope to stave off development near their facility for as long as they can.
“The number one goal was to buy it and to leave it alone,” Stuffings said. “The location will be rural and rustic that is a bit of an escape from the overgrowth that is going on around us.”
Stuffings said the rapid rise of development has “hit home” over the past two to three years, with the rapid population growth of the Austin metro area, along with Dripping Springs.
They also began to notice more development and rumors of development, mostly residential, near their business on Fitzhugh Road.
“Given the projected growth of this area, (development) would be inevitable,” Stuffings said, “the land would be developed somehow.”
In order to combat development, Stuffings and Jester King opted to purchase the 58-acres, which cost the company roughly $1.67 million.
While that amount could have gone toward paying off the financing used to start up Jester King, Stuffings felt it was better to “preserve the land and the character of what’s around us.”
Stuffings said most of the 58-acre property, which is “tucked on the side of the brewery,” would be preserved “as is.”
Of the 58-acres purchased, Stuffings said only one to two percent of the land will be developed for the brewery’s purposes. Of that, only 20,000 to 40,000 square feet of actual building space is being planned.
Not included within the one to two percent will be land used for livestock grazing. Stuffings said he plans to bring in cattle and goats to go along with horses and chickens that are already at the Jester King facility.
Farming is also one aspect he anticipates to initiate within the 58-acre property. Stuffings said that is “first on the agenda” this spring.
According to Stuffings, the farm aspect will include planting crops of grape vines and peach trees.
He said relatively thin soil was discovered in elevated parts of the property, which is conducive to planting grape vines. In addition, the soil will lend itself to necessary water runoff for peach trees that will be planted.
Stuffings said grapes and peaches are two items that go into the beer they brew. Jester King receives grapes from several areas, including the Texas Hill Country, and brings in peaches from Fredericksburg.
“Being able to grow our own fruit for beer making is important,” Stuffings said.
Jester King’s purchase of the land, according to Stuffings, could bring two possible advantages to the community.
One would be maintaining a part of the hill country that won’t be affected by development, and that “is virtually, entirely undeveloped.”
He also believes the farm addition could continue to instill a sense of community within the area.
“We’re trying to do something that doesn’t exist except for it being made right here,” Stuffings said. “Making foods and beverages that are unique to this little part of the world.”
