After hearing Dyer Dairy mentioned in conversation for months by friends, and being curious about the hype surrounding raw milk, I decided to take a trip with the kids to check them out one recent Saturday.
If you’ve never heard of Dyer Dairy, it’s a small family farm outside of Georgetown. It’s also one of the few places in the Austin area where one can go for raw, unpasteurized milk. In addition, they sell grass-fed meats, free range eggs and an assortment of locally made canned goods and handmade products. Oh, and did I mention they carry delicious cane sugar sweetened Dublin sodas?
Located on Hwy 29, a few miles east of toll road 130, the farm is actually closer to the tiny town of Jonah than to Georgetown. The drive alone made the trip worthwhile; it’s a beautiful stretch of country road that runs parallel to the San Gabriel river. Upon a friend’s advice, I called ahead to reserve my milk (recommended because of the product’s popularity).
The clerk, a member of the Dyer family, greeted me with a smile and had my milk waiting for me. The price is $9 for a gallon, but is reduced to $8 with any $5 purchase on other merchandise. Mrs. Dyer was proud to point out the line of cream at the top and instructed me in the proper “gentle shaking” of the gallon in a clockwise manner (lest one lucky family member get the richest glass and leave everyone else with no cream). When I got it home, the taste didn’t disappoint; the milk really was was rich and delicious.
The clerk, a member of the Dyer family, greeted me with a smile and had my milk waiting for me. The price is $9 for a gallon, but is reduced to $8 with any $5 purchase on other merchandise. Mrs. Dyer was proud to point out the line of cream at the top and instructed me in the proper “gentle shaking” of the gallon in a clockwise manner (lest one lucky family member get the richest glass and leave everyone else with no cream). When I got it home, the taste didn’t disappoint; the milk really was was rich and delicious.
Dyer Dairy doesn’t offer tours of their facilities, but they are happy to educate their customers about livestock, gardening, canning and farm life while they man their small store. My kids enjoyed playing on the large deck in the front of the mercantile while I shopped. They rode tricycles and took in the sights. Even without a tour, from the front of the property, the view is charming as it evokes a down home, country feel.
Some of my wish list items included locally grown olive oil, Amish butter, Walker’s honey and apple butter. Although the milk is a splurge, the trip is one I’ll make with the kids on occasion in between visits to the grocery store. It’s nice to take a country drive and be reminded of where our food comes from time to time.
Some of my wish list items included locally grown olive oil, Amish butter, Walker’s honey and apple butter. Although the milk is a splurge, the trip is one I’ll make with the kids on occasion in between visits to the grocery store. It’s nice to take a country drive and be reminded of where our food comes from time to time.
Store Hours:
- Sunday 1-6
- Monday 10-6
- Tuesday 10-6
- Wednesday CLOSED
- Thursday 10-6
- Friday 10-6
- Saturday 10-6
The Mercantile at Dyer Dairy
7801 E. Hwy 29
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 638-0415
[email protected]
Crystal is a writer and mom to three in Hutto, TX. She’s passionate about cooking new foods and reading great books. Crystal also enjoys creating art and breaking into song and dance parties with her husband and kids. When she’s not baking with her daughter or ensuring Nerf gun safety with her sons, she’s busy hunting for her family’s next free fun adventure.
