Meatless Impossible Burger Lands at Black Star Co-Op

— Cooperatively-owned and run brewpub Black Star Co-op now serves burgers from the Impossible Burger. The company is known for its plant-based patties that taste and feel like ground beef to the point where it even looks bloody, thanks to soy leghemoglobin. The brewpub’s staff always wanted to add the burger to its menu and tried it when it launched at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, according to employee Vincent Perry. The burger deluxe comes with avocado, jalapenos, and vegan buffalo sauce with vegan sourdough bread from Easy Tiger.

— Always remember the fire that closed down Franklin Barbecue for a bit with the new enamel pin from the barbecue joint. The pin, designed by Tom Whalen, features pitmaster Aaron Franklin in front of a flaming phoenix (get it?) and the tag “Reborn 2017.” It costs $7.

— Austin sommeliers Craig Collins, Devon Broglie, June Rodil, and Mandi Nelson talked about the state of Austin restaurants and beverages. There are more menu-focused restaurants (as opposed to chef-driven ones), and good wine deals that lead to exploration.