Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue-Marathon — Restaurant in Alpine

Crazy hard hours, but the food is pretty darn good as are the folks working there. Got there about 15 minutes before opening and decided to stand in line once people started showing up. I was maybe #3 out of a couple dozen, but by the time we were finished eating - no line! So the pro-tip is to just come a 1/2 hour after opening. There's not a lot of lunch options around, so that likely makes it more popular. In a busy season (we were in mid-February), no big deal. Make adjustments if you have arrived in a heavy holiday season.

I had the Vaquero sandwich. I didn't want to eat a ton, just sample. It was a great tasting sandwich. It had brisket and a jalapeno sausage. The brisket was good, solidly the reason Texas Monthly gave them an Honerable Mention (high praise) but I liked the Jalapeno-Cheddar sausage that was also in it even better. Came with chips. I also ordered a side of charro beans that were fantastic.

They have two BBQ sauces. I sampled both, but liked the darker one. Sorry, didn't come named!

The inside had a few tables that were scattered around the two garage bays. However, we sat outside because it was such a nice winter day. I highly recommend outside if you don't...

Being a Texan from Fort Worth, I’ve had plenty of great BBQ over the years....some more memorable than others. On my recent road trip through Marathon, TX, I gave both the Gage Hotel and the Brick Vault a little of my time and money. The Gage Hotel, while being elegantly adorned with that small town historical charm and furnishings, was overpriced (and probably a bit “over spiced”). The Brick Vault (owned by the Gage Hotel owner), however, was a craft brew/BBQ experience that I’ll never forget.....especially the BBQ....brisket, that is. Absolutely phenomenal!!! Ate there...and as I always do....carried away a couple of lbs. to go. Am checking now to see if I can have some more delivered to me in Canyon Lake, TX (still road tripping lol). I can’t....damn it to Sam Hell....and am already contemplating making a run back down to Marathon just for some more barbecue, aka real BBQ....aka some of the best damn BBQ that I have EVER eaten. Incredible job on the brews, ‘cues, and views. Thanks so much and you can bet your sweet smoker that you will see my Fort Worth native feet plowing through your front door again very soon! Kudos Gage Hotel....you did get that right...

My wife and I drive 55 miles from Fort Davis to the Brick Vault at least once a week for brew and q and we have since they opened. If the thought of a mango passion fruit IPA turns your stomach but a couple of pounds of honey thrown into a summer ale kinda interests you, this is your place. If you have had enough of 800 IBU IPA's and just want one with enough bitterness to claim IPA status, this is your place. If you want a super smooth cream ale or a wheat without that slightly bitter aftertaste, this is your place. Brodie the brewmaster just can't seem to brew a bad beer. Most of his stuff hovers around 5%ABV and could be considered session ale. In otherwords, you can have a few and probably not finish your ride home in a sheriff's car. And I haven't even talked about the q. Fall off the bone pork spare ribs? Yup. Perfectly moist and tender brisket? Yup. Cabrito sometimes? Yup. Our three county area is a desert in more ways than one. Thank God for this oasis in Marathon! Super friendly staff and excellent brew and q....