When Kenny and Thelma Coleman found themselves retired empty nesters, they felt the nudge to do something “new and different.” Lovers of music, beer, and Dripping Springs, in 2021 the Colemans responded by opening Ghost Note Brewing, a craft beer brewery whose casual atmosphere—with a touch of excitement—invites visitors to grab a seat and stay awhile.
What’s in a Name? Beyond good beer and good music, the soul of Ghost Note is best summoned by understanding its name. Wikipedia defines a ghost note as “a musical note with a rhythmic value, but no discernible pitch when played.” This could mean a note that is played very quietly between the main notes—so soft that it is almost silent. Although you might not hear them, these rests between notes add richness and momentum to the music.
Ghost Note Brewing taps into that depth with its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, hearty craft beer, dynamic music, and open spirit of community. “It resonates with us,” says Thelma. “We love the name, and we love the definition and how it extrapolates to beer, Texas, and life.”
The Place—In each of our journeys, those ghost note beats are with us. And when that journey moves through Texas, the notes can be as rich and diverse as the history and landscape itself.
With its rustic tables, fire pits, string lights, and wide-open spaces, Ghost Note offers a feeling of simplicity and a space where people can enjoy the moment and let time slow down. “We try to capture the Hill Country vibe around here with a mostly outdoor venue, leaning into the great live music scene and being a part of the growing beer scene,” Kenny shares.
The locale captures the backyard mood, featuring an open-air taproom and shaded beer garden with picnic-style seating. A spacious yard with a playscape for kids invites families to gather, dance, and play; at the same time, couples and small groups can find more secluded spots to visit under the oak trees.
The Beer—To the brewer, there are ghost notes amongst the water, the grains and the yeast, the wood and the steel, bringing their own story to each batch of beer. And in each sampling of the beer, these ghost notes speak faintly, imparting their own complexity and texture between the main notes.
Like the scenery, the beer at Ghost Note is both laid-back and vibrant. The brewery specializes in “porch beer—nothing too heavy, very drinkable,” Thelma explains.
Ghost Note’s head brewer Tyrell Elliott shares, “Good beer is the most successful when it’s approachable, and that’s our main goal with the porch beer theme. Finding flavor and impact within the subtleties of an everyday drink that we can share with our neighbors is very rewarding.”
Ghost Note features four core beers, along with a rotating menu of seasonal brews and small batches that keep the options exciting. “People like to come out and see what’s new,” says Kenny.
In addition to the craft beer on tap, Ghost Note offers local wines, local ciders, and non-alcoholic choices. “There’s something for all tastes,” says Thelma. And if all that drinking makes you hungry, Frida’s food truck is on site, serving a mix of steak, chicken, chorizo, and shrimp tacos and quesadillas.
The Music—Drummers know ghost notes as those that are played very softly between the main notes. Though seemingly unnoticed to the listener, they fill out the beat and add greater dimension and depth to the music.
To Thelma and Kenny, music isn’t just something you hear; it’s something you feel. “The music really speaks to us,” shares Thelma. Thus music is a cornerstone of the Ghost Note experience, which includes free live performances nearly every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. “We have a family of musicians,” says Kenny. “There’s so much talent out here. A lot of people come out here just to hear the music.”
Wendell Rand, of the bands No Permit and Saul & Pepper, is one of those talented musicians who appreciates the vibe at Ghost Note. “It’s just a great spot,” he says. “I love playing in a space where you see all kinds of people…from toddlers to teenagers to elderly folks…and dogs!”
Along with the diverse audience, Ghost Note hosts a wide range of performers with a variety of music styles. In the spacious outdoor venue, “the sound is good and it’s more festive,” Rand shares.
The Community—But ghost notes aren’t only in the music…we all sense the ghost notes—those gentle, intangible beats tapped out from countless sources, past and present, that quietly add texture and depth to our lives. These echoes of the past are more felt than heard—unnoticed when they are there, but noticed when they are not—like a summer breeze, or an inspiration.
More than a brewery, Ghost Note is an inviting hub where both locals and visitors feel at home. “We welcome everybody and the vibe out here is always pretty chill,” says Thelma. “We try to make people feel comfortable.”
In addition to hosting happy hour every Thursday and live music each weekend, Ghost Note often organizes special affairs such as an annual Oktoberfest, vintage markets, and animal adoption events. Ghost Note also boasts an indoor event space to bring people together for larger celebrations.
Kenny and Thelma plug into the Dripping Springs community through their involvement with Songwriters Festival and the Music Friendly Community program. They are connected with the larger beer community as well. “The community out here is pretty tight-knit,” Thelma shares. “It’s a really nice part of being out here.”
The Spirit—They can be hard to pin down, these ghost notes; just be mindful of their existence.
If you open yourself up to the experience while you savor a cold drink, the great band, and your company at Ghost Note, maybe you will be touched by what lies in those quiet spaces between the noise.
GhostNoteBrewing.com | @ghostnotebrewing