I'm visiting a new town. That new town is Austin. Austin of the 'keep Austin weird' fame. I've looked about and not found much weird but found lots of wonderful. On the food related side of 'wonderful', I have been dashing around on my latest acquisition, a silver and blue preloved bike, to discover what is good, local and vegan in Austin. I will be sharing some of my finds in the next few posts. First up...
I'm going through a beard appreciation phase right now, so when I spotted a little tan coloured packet on a shelf with a couple of bearded guys, I snuck in for a closer look. Not only were the hand drawn graphics of two bearded guys touting a sweet snack, but they also were brothers. Chris & Caleb. Bearded Brothers.
I had to tell you about them. I gave them a whirl, and not only are these vegan, gluten free and made in Austin, but the flavours are really unique. Each one has taken a turn at being my favourite. To be honest, I had become a bit bored of energy bars, mostly they are too sweet or too sticky, but the flavours in the Bearded Brothers bars are unlike any other I've come across.
Radical Raspberry Lemon
Bodacious Blueberry Vanilla after much internal debate. my favourite..right now.
Colossal Coconut Mango
Fabulous Ginger Peach
Mighty Maca Chocolate
The guys launched their company back in 2011 with funding and support from a Kickstarter campaign. When not making their bars and thinking up new flavours, I hear the bros are an active duo. I wonder if they came up with their flavour combos whilst griping onto a shear rock face, running an ultra marathon (50miles!) or whilst playing golf with a frisbee (yes, that is an actual sport)? Anyhow, in terms of energy, the bars seem to be working for them.
UPDATE:
I asked BB's a few ? that were floating around my head.
Are Chris and Caleb, actual brothers..or just friendly bros?
The bros are actually bros-in-law, their wives are sisters!
(Ah, so that explains why did don't look at all alike..apart from the facial hair!)
Do you sell the bars in most States, via stores, as well as online?
We have roughly 300 locations all over the country, mostly bike/coffee/health shops
What made them decide to actually begin selling their bars for a living?
Caleb and Chris are both avid adventurers and always loved to eat healthy so after making bars for himself and subsequently sharing with friends, Caleb decided to start selling them along with the help from his brother-in-law who just happened to have a background in the market.
Which flavour combo came first?
The first one was blueberry vanilla, and grew from there!
Made with love and joy in Austin, Tx (their words not mine, but it certainly tastes like it!)
I spotted a flyer for another bearded business taped to a wall in the South Austin Bouldin Creek Cafe. So fun!
Also, I've been on the lookout to discover what actually is supposed to be weird about Austin. I guess this car, I spotted outside a pet store is not your average wagon.
If you are in or headed to Austin, these two awesome websites have got you covered for vegan eats.
