Visitors hike the new nature trail at Jester King Brewery west of Austin. Photo courtesy Jester King Brewery

Two known cures – at least in my books – for the Covid blues? Nature walks and goats.

Jester King Brewery, located on 165 acres of rolling Hill Country land west of Austin, just announced the opening of a 2-mile nature trail, which loops past the brewery’s goat barn, home to a herd of happy Nigerian dwarf goats. Those who don’t want to walk so far can take a shorter, half-mile farm loop trail.

I love Jester King’s goats. Their herder, Sean Peppy Meyer, invited me out two years ago to go for a mile-long goat run, and we rambled up and down hills and through patches of cactus with the bleating group of animals. (Read the resulting article at https://www.austin360.com/entertainmentlife/20191004/now-you-can-run-with-goats-at-jester-king.)

A herd of Nigerian dwarf goats resides at Jester King Brewery. Pam LeBlanc photo

These days, just getting out and walking someplace other than from the bedroom to the kitchen and back is cause for celebration. We’ve all had to spend a lot of time penned up at home, and getting out and moving is one way to lift the fog that has settled around us.

Turns out the beer’s pretty good, too. The brewery sells beer, pizza and smoked meats, which make for a nice post-hike snack.

To reserve a spot, go to https://jesterkingbrewery.com/reservations. (Walk-ups are allowed, but reservations are encouraged.) Facemasks are required, and visitors should maintain a 6-foot physical distance from staff and other guests.

Visitors need a reservation to visit the brewery. Masks must be worn. Photo courtesy Jester King Brewery