The Dig Pub • Cedar Park

The Dig Pub • Cedar Park

Written by Mark Collins Friday, 20 June 2008

Much like the iconic television bar Cheers, The Dig Pub is a neighborhood watering hole where everybody knows your name. At least most of the time.

“We have so many regulars that I can’t keep up with all of their names,” said co-owner Christy Wink. “I try really hard because they are all really cool people.”

The Dig Pub on Cypress Creek Road serves beer, wine and light meals. The collection of 27 beers is an evolving blend of popular, lesser-known and seasonal beers on tap from breweries across the nation.

“A lot of the appeal for people is that we are constantly changing our selection,” co-owner Todd Wink said. “People will rely on the bartender or staff to give them what they think would be best. We try to match it to what they normally drink, and if they’re still not sure, we will give them samples.”

Todd and Christy Wink opened The Dig Pub in October 2007 to open their first small business. The couple moved to Cedar Park to be closer to Todd’s parents and to capitalize on the city’s explosive growth.

“We always wanted to go into business for ourselves, and we played around with a lot of different ideas,” Christy said. “Todd started to develop a love for beer and started to homebrew himself. The ideas were coming out of that, and then we finally landed on a beer pub.”

In addition to beer, the establishment has a boutique wine selection put on display during “Wine Wednesdays.” Each Wednesday, the wait staff dresses up and serves wine throughout the evening at happy hour prices.

The food at Dig Pub is “tasty, yet simple” according to Christy. Hot grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade salsa paired with chips and several different mustards complement the adult beverage selection.

The Winks have seen business increase steadily since opening in October and are warming to the idea of owning more pubs in the area. Todd has also considered the possibility of putting one of his own homemade brews on tap in the pub.

“It is a good way to do what you like to do and share it with other people,” Todd said. “It has been amazing how many people have come through the door and changed their palate.”

The difference between a pub and a bar

Bar – A bar serves a full selection of hard liquor in addition to beer and wine. The beer selection is usually mainstream and less extensive. Bars also tend to have more televisions and serve full hot meals.

Pub – Modeled after the traditional pubs of England and Ireland, a pub is mainly a place to serve real ale — beer without any adjuncts or sugar added. Typically, a pub is a smaller establishment with comfortable places to sit and an environment more conducive to conversation. Hard liquor is not traditionally served at a pub.

The Dig Pub, 401 Cypress Creek Road, 996-9900