Award-Winning Save the World Brewery: Building Community One Pint at a Time

As the sun sets on a warm Thursday evening, the patio at Save the World Brewing Company feels less like a manufacturing facility and more like a backyard neighborhood picnic. Children zigzag across the grass, adults look on from the patio, and dogs nap under the tables by their owners.

For owners Brittany and Evan LeGarde, who purchased the brewery in August 2022, this atmosphere is by design.

"We consider the property a community gathering center," Evan LeGarde told The Lake Line during a recent tour. "We have people from Houston and Dallas come here because they want to try the beer where it’s made, but for our regulars, it’s about having a place to just be."

The LeGardes have worked intentionally to cultivate a "third place"—that essential spot separate from home and work—where community happens. The brewery sits on four acres, offering ample room for its "family-friendly" mission. The grounds feature a small playscape, disc golf baskets, and cornhole boards, inviting visitors to linger.

Brittany LeGarde noted that this setup has transformed their weekly events, particularly Thursday Night Trivia (6-8 p.m.).

"It’s really sweet," she said. "The parents can sit and play trivia, and because it’s enclosed and safe, the kids just run around and play together. It gives the parents a break and lets them actually have an adult conversation."

Local Eats and Changing Habits

While the brewery doesn't have an on-site kitchen, the LeGardes ensure guests never go hungry. They host food trucks on most weekends and stock local baked goods and bar snacks in the taproom. They also maintain an open food policy, welcoming patrons to bring in their own meals, from pizzas to picnic spreads. Someone once brought her crockpot!

"People bring pizza and... we do one thing and we try to do it really well," Evan said, noting that their focus remains on the beer while facilitating a comfortable environment for dining.

This flexibility helps them adapt to shifting consumer behaviors.

"I think the taproom business across the board has slowed down," Evan observed. "People go out less since COVID. Drinking habits have changed."*

To adjust to a market where patrons might visit less frequently but are more selective when they do, the LeGardes expanded the brewery’s reach and repertoire. They shifted focus heavily toward distribution, ensuring their cans are stocked at HEB, Specs, and other package stores across the state

They also diversified the beer list. While respecting the brewery’s Belgian-style roots, they introduced crowd-pleasers like IPAs and lighter lagers. The strategy has paid dividends: at the U.S. Open Beer Championship in 2024, their "Chasing Broncos" Juicy IPA snagged a Gold Medal and their "Hunt for Hazy" IPA won a Bronze.🔗Just this February, their "Cerveza TX" Mexican lager and "Danger Noodle Island" strong ale won Bronze at the Texas Craft Brewers Cup.

Credit for the liquid success goes to Head Brewer Emily Ribera.

"She is amazing," Brittany said. "We have a female brewer, which is still somewhat rare in this industry, and she does an incredible job."

Philanthropy with Practicality

The LeGardes have also refined the brewery’s charitable mission. While they moved away from the "100 percent net profit" slogan to run a sustainable family business that supports 11 employees, their commitment to giving back to the community remains. Last year, Save the World Brewery hosted a fundraiser that raised approximately $56,000 for flood relief. In addition, 100% of their sales during the fundraiser went to the Ark of the Highland Lakes, also for relief efforts. Throughout the year, they were able to donate approximately $6,000 in in-kind donations to local charities and organizations—no small feat in these challenging times.

"We host a lot of events here, like '100 Man Give a Damn,'" Evan said. "If a local group needs a space for a fundraiser, we are almost always going to say yes."

Their stewardship extends to the environment as well. In a push for sustainability, the brewery donates its spent grain—the malt left over after brewing—to a local rancher for livestock feed; last year, they donated enough to fill a cargo plane. It’s a win-win that keeps waste out of landfills and lowers feed costs for the rancher. The LeGardes are vocal supporters of "Beers for Steers," a legislative push to allow brewers to claim tax write-offs for these grain donations.

A Vision for 2030

As the interview wrapped up, Evan reflected on the road ahead. In a saturated and hyper-competitive craft beer market, his long-term goal isn't world domination, but rather local perfection.

"My vision for 2030 is just do one thing and try to do it really well," Evan said, looking at his wife. "We just want to be a place where people can come, have a good time, and feel like they belong."

Save the World Brewery

• Address: 1510 Resource Pkwy, Marble Falls, TX 78654
• Phone: (830) 637-7654
• Website: stwbrewing.com
• Hours:
  • Wednesday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Monday & Tuesday: Closed

*Editor's Note: The day before this interview, Bear King, another popular Marble Falls brewery, announced its closing. They cited market conditions and ongoing financial challenges as the reasons.