Violet Crown Spirits situated in the heart of Bastrop is the state's first absinthe distillery and has won multiple awards for its high-quality products. The absinthe produced here are made using Texan ingredients giving it a local touch. Violet Crown Spirits' Absinthe is available in numerous bars and pubs in Texas making it a local fan favorite drink. Enroll yourself for one of the guided tours at this distillery and get acquainted with the entire manufacturing process and the equipment used for the same. Any and every doubt of yours regarding the distilling will be cleared by the very knowledgeable and friendly staff here.
The Congregation of Beth Israel opened the first synagogue in Austin over 120 years ago. Jewish residents lived here for a generation with no formal site at which to worship. But in 1876, a pioneering group of about 30 Jewish citizens met with the Mayor to organize their Reformed Judaism congregation. The group was chartered in 1879, and construction was completed on the synagogue at 11th and San Jacinto in 1884. In 1953, a new site on Shoal Creek Boulevard was purchased to accommodate their significant growth. Construction was complete by 1956 and a stained glass filled sanctuary followed in 1967. The Torah used in this sanctuary was given by a woman who escaped Nazi persecution in Hungary.
The First Presbyterian Church settled into a log cabin in Austin around 1850. Since that time, the church has moved to a number of different locations but throughout it all, the love of music reined supreme. In the present location, Oscar, the 100-year-old tracker organ, is the main attraction. With 32 stops, 35 ranks and 1894 pipes, of which about 10 ranks of pipes are from the original 1900 organ. Don't miss a service with this fantastic sound of history.
Zach Theatre, originally incorporated as the Austin Civic Theater, was rechristened in the 1970s to honor Zachary Scott, an Austin-reared actor with a successful film career. In 1993, the theater was recognized by its selection to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts Advancement Program. The theater has grown by building two stages, a costume shop, classroom, and rehearsal studio and expanding the box office, and now hosts some of the best performances in Austin. Past productions include Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, The Rocky Horror Show, The Flaming Idiots, and Tapestry: The Music of Carole King. The theater also offers children productions and a performing arts school for everyone.