Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabbi Lindgren.
Hi Gabbi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started with Brewery Running Series as a participant in Minnesota, where the original series was founded. I was new to running and loved the no-pressure environment that was accessible for all levels and the craft beer at the end of the run was a perfect reward. I also loved trying new breweries and the series was the perfect way to get out to a new local business, explore the neighborhood around it, and then try some of their locally-made beer.
When I moved to Austin 12 years ago, I kept looking for something like it – a run formal enough that you sign up and maybe train for, but not so serious that you’re worried about your time or placement. I also loved the Austin brewery scene and wanted to explore my new city and it felt like the perfect fit to bring the Brewery Running Series to Texas.
Planning began in 2016 by mapping the model, figuring out logistics, connecting with breweries, and understanding what it would take to make everything work. In 2017, we launched our first season. It was all systems and strategy on the backend, but the experience we created was fun and community on the front end.
Ten years in and we continue to grow. In 2022 we expanded to the San Antonio area with local event director, Michael Lerch managing events. Today we have 24+ events each year all around central Texas.
Our motto is: Be Active. Have Fun. Give Back. And it outlines the main pillars of what we do. Be Active (run a 5k), Have Fun (enjoy a craft beer or NA beverage) and Give Back (we give back a portion of all proceeds to local and national charities). We’re always looking for ways to give back, and we’ve had some really cool opportunities come through. We’ve done fundraising-only events where all profits go to a cause like when we partnered with Paramount Pictures in 2025 to promote the film Novocaine and raised almost $90,000 for NORD. The filmmakers and star of the film Jack Quaid came out to run as well and that made that day incredibly special and impactful. We also organized a raffle when one of our brewery partner owners passed away unexpectedly and raised $3,000 for his family. That’s the kind of community we wanted to build.
Aside from the logistics, my favorite part of all this is watching someone sign up for the whole series as a solo participant, and then over the season, I see them making friends at each event. By the final race, they’ve got this tight group of people they met through us which feels like we’re really creating lasting friendships and community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pretty smooth overall, but like everyone in the events industry, Covid threw us a curveball in 2020. We shut down like everything else did.
We used that time to figure out how to come back smarter. In 2021, we started back up with modified events, smaller groups spaced out at different start times, more outdoor seating, different logistics. We worked with our brewery partners to figure out what worked for them and what worked for us. Some things stuck, some didn’t, and we adjusted.
Another thing that has been difficult to navigate is watching so many craft breweries close. Some of it was Covid-related, but it’s been an ongoing challenge for the industry. We’ve lost some really great long-term partners and venues we’d built genuine relationships with. That part is sad. It’s why what we do feels important – we’re here to support the breweries that are still standing and help drive traffic to the ones we believe in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of TXBRS, I work a full-time job as an operations manager in the podcast industry. Before that I worked for a local film festival so the combination of events planning and operations has really informed my experience when planning all of the logistics that go into the behind the scenes for TX Brewery Running Series.
I’m also pretty involved in the broader craft beer scene in Austin. I work the Texas Craft Brewer’s Festival every year. I volunteer at local breweries for their anniversary parties and special events, and sometimes I pick up bar shifts just to stay connected with the community.
How do you think about luck?
I’d say I’ve had good timing on a lot of fronts. Moving to Austin and seeing that gap in the market for something like TXBRS at the time that the craft beer scene was really expanding was lucky. I was also really grateful that breweries in Austin were willing to work with us as a somewhat unproven concept. That was huge early on.
Covid was obviously a challenge and we’ve watched so many craft breweries close over the years, which has been rough. Some of those were long-term partners.
But I think a lot of what people call luck is just timing meeting preparation. I had the experience, I saw the opportunity, and I was willing to put in the work to make it happen. You need some good fortune, but you also have to show up and do the work.
Pricing:
- $35 – standard event ticket
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.breweryrunningseries.com/locations/texas
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txbreweryrun/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TXBreweryRun
