A Beer To Remember in 2023
Sylvia Benavidez
As we say goodbye to 2023, let’s take a moment to reflect and remember all the tasty #HoustonBeer we enjoyed this year. Many beers stood out but only one beer can be crowned the beer to remember this year. We asked our contributor team and they delivered with their comments on which beer was their beer to remember.
“What was your most memorable beer this year?”
Scotch Panda from Elder Son Brewing
I will admit personal bias immediately, but my favorite Houston area beer release for 2023 has to be “Scotch Panda”, a late February release from Elder Son Brewing. Scotch Panda was a 5.1% ABV Scottish Export Ale that oozed a sweet and smooth, yet perfectly malty, flavor with a little hint of chocolate going down. Being able to come in with Robert Frye of Elder Son and brew this beer was an amazing experience (I wish I could capture the smell of the boil tank that day and turn that into endless amounts of candles), but to have a moderate ABV beer with so much flavor come out of it was even better. I am going to cross my fingers and hope, just maybe, Scotch Panda makes a return one day.
– Jackie @JackieVonPanda
Chill Brah from Project Halo Brewing
If I’m picking the beer that had the biggest impression on me then I’d have to look no further than Project Halo’s Chill Brah 4.9% ABV, a seasonal black ale with rice. I remember the day I went out to Fulshear to get some more of this beer because it went down so smoothly. For a beer being so black, you’d expect it to be heavier yet it’s deceptively light. Chill Brah was roasty and bold but provided a crushable experience. I remember someone asking what beer I was having in the taproom and I told them “Chill Brah”. After reassuring them that it was in fact the name of the beer, and not me being confrontational, the bar sold nearly 20 pints in a matter of 30 minutes. I was excited to tell everyone about how great of a beer this was and will continue to beat the drum loudly till it makes its return.
Ronnie R. @Mxc_ronnie
Fresh Love Double IPA from Spindletap Brewery
Bob Marley was once quoted saying “You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters?” … And I will definitely love this beer again.
Choosing only one beer for the year was tough but Fresh Love DIPA 8.5% ABV is my final pick for beer of the year in 2023. Spawning from the recipe of One Love, a Simcoe and Nugget focused double IPA, Spindletap Brewery took a spin off the dank tropical vibes and remixed this year’s batch with fresh Simcoe hops. Brewed with Yakima Chief’s frozen fresh hops, this beer was the perfect balance of tropical and grassy notes. Distinct dank quality along with a cornucopia of fruit aromas like sweet pineapple, zesty grapefruit, and candied orange dominate with a very delicious resinous backbone. The perfect IPA for old school IPA drinkers like me and those that want to experience their love of IPAs for the very first time.
Sylvia @HoustonBeerMother
What was your favorite beer of 2023?
Send us an email at cheers@houstonbeerguide.com and let us know!
Have a safe and joyous Happy New Year!
See you in 2024.
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