Downtown Dusty boasts a color true to the amber style, pouring a gorgeous amber or golden-red hue with a creamy white head. The aroma is subtly malty and bready, enticing you to take a deep breath and savor the moment. With the first sip, the maltiness smoothly envelops your palate, urging you to take larger sips than usual. Following the initial malty notes, you’ll notice a delightful interplay of bready and caramel flavors, complementing each other beautifully. On the finish, a faint floral note emerges, accompanied by a mild hop presence that refreshes your palate just enough.

Now, after geeking out over Downtown Dusty’s flavors, let me tell you why I believe it’s the perfect beer for spring and summer—especially in Houston, where they’re practically one and the same. At 5%, Downtown Dusty is crushable, allowing you to enjoy multiple without feeling weighed down, making it ideal for tackling those tasks you’ve been procrastinating, like yard work. Its crispness leaves your mouth dry enough to crave another sip.

And the convenience doesn’t stop there—Downtown Dusty is available in cans to-go and can be found at local grocery stores, making it accessible wherever you are. Plus, the can’s artwork by Kevin Dyer captures downtown Katy and its historic silos and rail line, adding a touch of local history to your beer experience. Be sure to swing by the taproom or check your local grocery store shelves for Downtown Dusty, and if you need assistance locating it, feel free to shoot me a message on IG.

Cheers!

The post Headed out West to meet Downtown Dusty first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Headed out West to meet Downtown Dusty appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

If you’ve read any of my articles or ever had a conversation with me about beer you’ll know that I’m all about that stout life. When I heard Excalibur Brewing in Old Town Spring announced the 2nd annual Stout Fest 2024, you know I had to get the inside scoop. Stout Fest 2024 will be held at Excalibur Brewing on Saturday January 27th, where 11 breweries including Excalibur will be showcasing their finest stouts. This ticketed event will let you taste beer from several breweries in one location. With your general admission entry, you will receive a 4 oz taster glass and 8 taster tickets starting at noon for only $45. VIP ticket admission allows you to enter a hour early to enjoy unlimited samplings of the stouts and an additional taster tickets and access to refreshments – all for $80. You can buy additional tickets at the bar if you want a bit extra to enjoy. If you do not purchase a ticket, you will not be able to enter the brewery or order beer until 6PM as it will be closed exclusively for Stout Fest ticket holders only. Treat this like a private stout party with all our closest darkest friends. I am looking forward to this year’s Arthur’s Tomb variant. Peanut butter variant was a big hit before, and Red Velvet is currently on tap – I wonder what it will be this year?

The breweries in attendance for this year’s Stout Fest are Equal Parts, DECA, Location Six, Brew: 30, Misfit Outpost, Frankenboltzzz, Brash, Devil and the Deep, Megaton, and Turkey Forrest Brewing. The way Stout Fest works is each brewery will offer two different stouts for you to sample, so that’s over 20 samples of stouts available to you! With this stacked line up of breweries, there is no wrong decision on which you pick!

I was able to enjoy the collaboration beer designed between Excalibur and Frankenboltzzz while I visited. This golden stout aged with tres leches cake had a well balanced sweetness with soft coffee tones – very tasty! Each brewery will also have merchandise on site so you can show your support for them by purchasing shirts, stickers and hats. 

Purchase your tickets for Stout Fest at: https://excaliburbrewing.com/stout-fest-2024-ticket-sales/ 

With only two weeks until the event, you better hurry because the tickets are flying fast. There is plenty of seating available however if you would like to bring your lawn chairs to create your own camp, you’re more than welcome to. Parking is not a challenge either – there is a lot that is available on the corner of Border and Prairie, but since there are plenty of stouts to go around, we recommend ride sharing. Designated driver tickets are also available for $20 for individuals who want to attend but will not be drinking. Please have fun but be responsible.

No beer festival is complete without live music.

To keep you entertained Excalibur Brewing will host Mississippi Smile, Tab Cocchia, and Background Noise HTX.

Galexy Concessions just opened up next door to Excalibur so you can walk over and get a bite to eat or enjoy additional food vendors on site. Rustic Barrel will be on site selling BBQ, and Maine Lobster will be serving up their famous lobster dishes.

I am looking forward to celebrating local made stouts at this event. Bring a friend or make a date out of it. Other Houston Beer contributors will be available during the event to chat about all the way you can help support local craft beer too. See you there!

The post Stout Fest 2024 at Excalibur Brewing in Old Town Spring first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Stout Fest 2024 at Excalibur Brewing in Old Town Spring appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

How do you say goodbye to a brewery you’ve been visiting since the beginning, made countless memories from, built great friendships and was the place you started your craft beer adventures at? I would like to start by first saying, this sucks. Really sucks!

January 6th will be Ingenious’s official last day open. As someone who supported them through every twist and turn the industry saw, it hit me hard to hear this news. I spent so much time & money at this brewery and stood up for them in many ways. Like many other die hard Ingenious fans, I often went out of my way to share beers I was drinking on social media to spread the love and never left the taproom without buying beer to go. I loved walking in and everyone immediately starts shouting and cheering, truly excited that I was there. This was the one place I could count on feeling right at home. Ingenious even participated in this past year’s Houston Beer Block Party and was quite popular on the block, kicking 3 kegs that day! Much love to them for keeping stouts on year round too. It’s safe to say that Ingenious has etched a special place in my heart that I will never forget.

Normally I’m known for being the serious and strictly beer focused writer with my articles but I want to use this time to acknowledge all the employees I’ve gotten to know over the years and the memories they’ve help create. This team was the pillar of Ingenious Brewing Co. From bullying Graham during trivia with team names themed around him, to laughing with Casey aka DJ C-Note every time I visited. I enjoyed having in depth conversations with him about the Oilwell vending machine in the lobby. Talking metal and music with Krista, she always knew what beers I was walking in for, and Jason being there a short time but being someone who got my humor. There was never a dull moment with him and I loved sampling michelada prototypes he was working on. Derek and I would geek out on beer and he would motivate me to add adjuncts to my home brew to get the desired “Ingenious” effect. Alex and I have had a few moments of me sharing beers from all over and I will certainly miss these conversations. Lee and the funny beers named after him during his birthday celebration, and the night he needed help kicking a keg of a barrel aged stout along with the headache that followed the next morning.  James and I would talk sports and sample beers from the brite tank. James took great pride in all of his beers and loved helping with social media even going emo for a night that will forever live in infamy. Such good times to remember.

So I ask you, please raise a glass to the hardworking team that has ever been a part of Ingenious power house. I wish each and every one of them the best of luck on their future path forward.

It’s not too late to support. Join me in these final days and let’s help them clear out some inventory by buying merchandise, glassware, beer, and stickers to forever have a piece of Humble history. Before you leave, get your hands on the Brewers Reserve. This year’s was aged in still Austin barrels for two years giving that barrel aged finished we all know and love. It’s smooth chocolate note along with a beautiful roast to balance out the bourbon barrel is very delicious. This beer represents James’ focus on his amazing stouts as they only use the barrel and his base recipe. Feeling sour? We know you are. Go get the last batch of Elf’s Blood, a Christmas tradition that comes out every December. Ingenious wasn’t just known for their crazy adjunct focused beers, but was really keeping things fresh with lager and crispy as of late. Go get Layover in Vienna or Das Crisp to quench that thirst. Want a hazy IPA? On Comet and C1000 will definitely not let you down. Channel your inner beer nerd and drink the black IPA aptly named Come and drink it.

I am really going to miss this place. Very sad to see it go.

In case you haven’t noticed, Houston Beer needs your love. With breweries dropping out left and right, the beer fans in this area need to rally together to save these local businesses before it’s too late. Please support your local breweries if you can. Your support and contribution is appreciated more that you know.

Ingenious Brewing Company is located at 1986 S Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77396.

The post Ingenious Brewing Company announces closure first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Ingenious Brewing Company announces closure appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

This Saturday October 7th, Back Pew Brewing will be hosting their annual OktoBEERfest at their brewery – also known as the Sanctuary. Located in Porter TX on several acres of land, Back Pew has a spacious outdoor space with plenty of shade to stay cool in while enjoying some great beers. Don’t worry about parking either – the ample onsite parking space and event parking attendant will get you in and out with ease. To top it off, Back Pew is always pet and family friendly and will be pulling out all the stops to make an enjoyable experience for all that attend. 

Like any true Oktoberfest event, there are plenty of activities to accompany good ole beer drinking. This year’s fun includes a stein holding contest, stein racing, keg toss, and more games that I don’t want to spoil that are sure to give you a laugh. The popular Homebrewed Brass Ensemble will be on the main outdoor stage with all the polka and beer drinking songs you can handle. If you’ve never had the fortune of experiencing them do yourself a favor and get a good spot-on site to hear them play. You can also bring your lawn chairs and create your own area for a bit more space to yourself. One of my favorite parts of OktoBEERfest is pairing the vast combo of lagers with delicious bites from local food truck, The Sauerkraut. Their amazing lineup of German food including beer brats and my personal favorite, the Schruben, can’t be beat. Don’t skip out on the pretzels that pair excellently with light drinker Kingsbrau on tap. The Webster Melting Company will be providing a variety of sandwiches during the event while Rosalia Urbano will be serving up delicious offerings including tacos and quesadillas. Still not enough? Gastrocraft is also joining in the fun with a full German inspired menu PLUS a limited amount of Corned Beef Reubens.

Our favorite feature, of course – BEER! While a few of my personal favorites are making a return, I know that I’ll be starting with Mast to Marzen 6.2% abv. This beer is a more traditional style for Oktoberfest, that holds nutty/darker flavors, while still meaning for all day drinking. Huzzah to that!

While you are there, be sure to try the newest beer Damned Dunkle – which will also be available in six packs to go. This limited run of packaged cans will go quick so snag your beer to go upon arrival.

Check out the full list of beer available for this event below.

Year-round Offerings:
Blue Testament
Hyper Light
Satyrs Swill
Lucy Wheat
Tanuki IPA
Apple Ale

Seasonal Brews:
King of the Helles
Kingsbrau
Me Beer
Black Habit

Oktoberfest Specific Beers:
Erica (German Pils)
ExALTation (Altbier)
Double Stanges (Kolsch)
Mast to Marzen (Marzen)
Back Pew Vator (Doppelbock)
Berliner Weisse
Damned Dunkel (Dunkel)
Zwickelbier (A lager brewed in collaboration with Nobi Public House in Webster)
Vienna Lager
Son of Satyr (Low ABV variant of Satyr’s Swill)

The event kicks off at noon – we hope to see you there! This might be your last chance to celebrate Oktoberfest season so don’t forget to dress for the occasion – lederhosen and dirndls are welcome! It’s time for beer drinking, excellent food with friends and merriment for the whole family.

The post OktoBEERfest This Weekend at Back Pew Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post OktoBEERfest This Weekend at Back Pew Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Wicked was just unleashed upon us in Houston as the elusive haunted beer mascot from No Label Brewing, Murkey Myers has now broken out of his cage and is on the loose, causing havoc and chaos that we all know and love. Fresh off of winning a Global Crushie for best beer mascot – he has somehow gained more power and is out on the prowl looking for trouble.

October is now the month of Murkey, as Murkey has spread to Vallensons’, Elder Son, Galveston Bay, Project Halo, Megaton, and Senate Avenue – each doing their beer in the style of Murkey Myers. I’m excited to see how Murkey’s tour of chaos turns out and to see everyone’s unique twist on the style. With Murkey’s reach spreading, we must find a way to contain him and lock him back up in the Katy silos. But first, let’s have a little fun with him.

This year, No Label is inviting everyone to embark on a haunted hop quest. Visit all 7 breweries and stamp your Murkey Myers passport for a chance to conjure a special Limited-Edition Month of Murkey tin tacker designed by Anthony Gorrity. Beware: you’ll need to check with each brewery for cryptic clues and info.

Check out the details on the passport here from No Label’s Facebook post: Read More.

Murkey (short for Murkey Myers DIPA) lives true to its name, pours a murky pale gold color and has a very upfront aroma of grapefruit. Pay close attention and you will find a mild citrus and a pine note that lingers on the back end balancing out the nose. Upon the first sip, I immediately notice the grapefruit characteristic from the New Zealand Pacific Sunrise hops. There is also a mild fruit flavor that cuts through the hoppy bitterness that makes this beer very smooth to drink. When I say fruit, think of orange citrus or almost mango-like sweetness that balances out the hop bite and makes it an easy drinker despite the ABV sitting at 7.8%. Even though Murkey seems like a tough guy, his mouthfeel is very soft and smooth. For such a hoppy beer I expected there to be a bit of an overwhelming bite, nonetheless No Label managed to find a beautiful balance with the hop bite and fruit character. The fact that the body isn’t too heavy, and it doesn’t weigh you down or make you bloated making it easy to come back for more, which I struggle to find in a hazy double IPA.

I will be splitting up the visits between days to compare and contrast what differences each brewery will bring to the table with their versions.

Canned Murkey will be releasing on October 13th and can be found at the No Label taproom in Katy, HEB, Total Wine, and in select craft beer bars around town. However, if you visit the brewery beware that Murkey doesn’t catch you off guard and alone, rumor is he already took over GABF and Chicago. Stay safe out there and if you see me at any of these locations, come have a beer with me, and let’s discuss which version was your favorite.

Murkey Beer Release Dates to Know:

**ELDER SON BREWING** – 10/1: ELDER MURKEY

**SENATE AVENUE BREWING** – 10/6: MAYOR MURKEY

**MEGATON BREWERY** – 10/7: RADIOACTIVE MURKEY

**VALLENSON’S BREWING** – 10/12: IMMORTAL MURKEY

**NO LABEL BREWING** – 10/13: MURKEY MYERS

**PROJECT HALO BREWING** – 10/21: MURKEY MEOWERS

**GALVESTON BAY BREWING** – 10/31: WEEKEND AT MURKEY’S

The post Murkey Myers Hazy DIPA Haunts Houston – Passport Challenge from No Label Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Murkey Myers Hazy DIPA Haunts Houston – Passport Challenge from No Label Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

El Carlito, NL’s award winning German style wheat ale/Weizenbock, has won several knockout awards in the last 3 years including 2021 in the US Open Beer Championship, 2022 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, and most recently – a 2023 New York International Beer Competition. Since then, No Label Brewing has been dominating the regional beer award circuits since the 2021 win. Tom Paynter, Marketing Director of No Label Brewing explains “El Carlito is our first beer in over 8 years to win an international medal, nabbing the US Open medal right after we won two crushies in Summer 2021. Those two things essentially kick-started this era of No Label.” Speaking of awards, No Label cleaned up in the recent Craft Beer Marketing Awards last month.

No Label Brewing Co.’s 2023 Craft Beer Marketing Awards include:

• Global Crushie for Best Can Design on a 32-ounce crowler for “Bottle Cap Crowler”  
• Global Crushie for Best Can Design on an 8 to 15 – ounce can for “Mind Your Own Business Sour IPA” 
• Global Crushie for Best Can Design on an 8 to 15 – ounce can for “Cali Boy West Coast IPA”
• Global Crushie for Best Tap/Tasting Room Experience/Creative Brewery Mural or Installation for “Rail Line Label Wall,” by artist Chris Hernandez
• Gold Crushie for Best Use of Retro Branding for “Old Katy ‘800,’” which honors the heritage of the MKT Rail Line in the historic Rice Silo Yard 
• Global Crushie for Best Brand Identity / Unique Logo Design for “Year 12 Logo” designed by Design Riot
• Global Crushie for Best Brand Identity / Use of Icon or Mascot in Logo or Branding Mascot, for “Murkey Myers DDH DHIPA,” a celebration of Michael Myers 
• Global Crushie for Best Brand Identity / Logo Typography for “Cali Boy Sales Sheet”
• Gold Crushie for Best Brand Identity / Beer Release Calendars
• Global Crushie for Best Merchandise Design / Most Creative Line for ‘Murkey Myers DDH DHIPA” 
• Gold Crushie for Best Ingredient Collaboration for their collaboration with Hound Song Brewing Co.

No Label has always had a special place in my heart. El Hefe, their widely known Hefeweizen was one of my first true loves of my craft beer journey. German style beers especially hefeweizens and any clove dominate beers were always my beer of choice.

When I was told El Carlito was close in taste to El Hefe, I had to get my hands on it. El Carlito is if El Hefe took steroids – and boy, that might an understatement. While enjoying, the first thing I notice is the fragrant aroma of banana and clove that pops out of the glass. Additionally, there is a nice balance of dark fruit esters (think plum or raisins) that lures you in for more. The aroma travels straight to the back of your nose, leaving with a slight fruity after taste. Visually appealing too, El Carlito pours a deep gold with a fluffy slightly off-white head. It provides a refreshing banana and dark fruit upfront that is followed by a mild wheat flavor as the taste lingers in your mouth. The wheat flavor really smooths out the initial sweetness of the fruit and it’s a beautiful example of what balance you want in your German ales. At a bold 8.3% abv, El Carlito drinks much easier than what the ABV suggests, and this could still be a summer crusher for many. Imagine getting all your housework and yard work done on the weekend and popping open a can as a reward – this is definitely THAT beer. One quality I love about El Carlito is its medium body and creamy tongue as it warms the palate but still light enough to enjoy without the feeling of being weighed down. 

In recent news, Houston breweries, especially No Label Brewing, have been really driving home what we’ve known for a while – our beer scene as a whole can compete with most distinguished beer cities out there. With great beers like El Carlito who displays his championship belt proudly on the face of the can, it really feels like a representation of what this beer (and No Label Brewing Co) has to bring to the table. Exciting stuff!

This beer was released just a few weeks ago on Cinco de Mayo and if you are lucky – you might be able to find six packs out in the market at various H-E-Bs and Total Wines. If all else fails, drive out to Katy and enjoy El Carlito on tap in the brewery. With so many fun weekend activities scheduled, No Label always makes the drive out west worth your time. Bringing a non-beer friend? They carry other options to enjoy like cider and sodas. Speaking of things to do, there is a playground to keep your kids entertained while you enjoy a beer. Things get a bit busy during the weekend so check their Facebook page to learn about upcoming events.

Until next time!

No Label Brewing Co. is located at 5351 1st St, Katy, TX 77493.

No Label Brewing Co. | Katy TX | Facebook

The post El Carlito – No Label’s International Champion first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post El Carlito – No Label’s International Champion appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

For the ideal experience in beer and to get the most out of the distinct differences in the michelada mixes they offer, I recommend a flight with DECA’s Loteria Lager, a mexican style lager. My go to mix flavor is the mango habanero and I often pair it with my home brewed mango IPA because it adds a sweet heat that isn’t overpowering. The cucumber lime provides a cucumber freshness and citrus spice that makes for a great refreshing summer option. I can’t wait to drink this one at one of the summer markets. Another highly recommended mix to try is Gringolada’s pineapple jalapeño. The sweetest of the pineapple makes this option for someone who only wants a small amount of spice but full flavor boldness. The green jalapeño notes are presented as more as an accompanying flavor than any heat so if you like the taste of jalapeños but steer clear of spicy then this is the michelada mix to indulge in.

Another great thing about Gringoladas is you can use them as bloody mary mixes if you want to skip the beer and go the liquor route. Jason Kersey, founder of Gringolada, makes extravagant bloody marys using these mixes and they were always a hit at the gatherings I’ve attended. Additionally, they can be used as marinades for meats, making each flavor versatile beyond just drinks. Jason tells me the bottles have a shelf life of a year unopened so it’s okay to buy a few at a time.

Recently they’ve added on to their michelada line up to include Gringo Dust, a blend of spices to add on to your chamoy rimming your glass. This chamoy dressing is available in two sizes: a small on the go key chain bottle or the standard full size container.

Keep an eye out for Gringolada in the beer scene! They are starting to collaborate with local craft breweries to create new fun recipes that infuse their mix recipes into new beer creations. Check out their recent michelada collaboration with Urban South HTX. Gift baskets are also available for purchase by request.

The full line up of mixes and products can be found on their website https://gringoladahtx.square.site/. If you are local, they will also deliver to you. If you have a michelada lover in your life or operate a local business and wanna collaborate on your own Gringolada creation, contact Krista or Jason on Facebook or Instagram. Check out their website for more information on where to order and the upcoming vendor market schedules.

Happy Cinco or as we call it Happy “Make Me a Miche” Day!

Website: https://gringoladahtx.square.site/

The post Happy “Make me a Michelada” day! w/ Gringolada HTX first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Happy “Make me a Michelada” day! w/ Gringolada HTX appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

I was lucky enough to sample Vert Di Foorke directly from the brite tank and boy – this is a treat! It poured a beautiful dark brown with delicate tan head. The nose aroma has a plum or raisins characteristic that stands out with a nice tone of toffee that reminds me of my childhood. The last thing I pick up a mild fruit ester on the nose – faint but blends perfectly with all the beautiful balance of flavor. Vert Di Foorke drinks incredibly smooth for a 10% big beer. Its mild roast that you get on the initial taste is followed with a smooth plum tone to balance the flavors. Vert Di Foorke leaves a nice pop of chocolate taste that lingers on the backend and the mouthfeel is creamy to the tongue.

Jason predicts the next scheduled Cellar Door release will be sometime in June. Saloon Door hasn’t decided what style that beer will be yet, and is actively taking feedback for what you’d love to see coming out. I’d personally like to see a Barleywine style come out of Webster, especially if it’s left to sit and age in bourbon barrels. Jason tells me they are super excited to finally launch the Cellar Door Series as it’s been in the works for a very long time. They were planning on starting the series in 2020 but the pandemic put it on the shelf making this release long awaited for the past three years.

Show the brewery some support by coming out and trying this new beer – don’t leave without letting the team know how you like it and what you think the next release should be.  If the beer wasn’t enough to bring you in, the brewery is also hosting a crawfish boil on the 1st – double bonus! I know how much Houstonians love their crawfish! There is a ton going on at Saloon Door Brewing these days, so keep a look out for a follow up from me very soon. Did someone say brewing up a collaboration soon? More on that later!

Follow Saloon Door Brewing on Facebook and Instagram for updates including future bulk discounts for this release. 

Beer Release Details on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/239254488459959/?ref=newsfeed

Instagram: @saloondoor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaloonDoor

The post Vert Di Foorke!? A Belgian style quad from Saloon Door Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Vert Di Foorke!? A Belgian style quad from Saloon Door Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

During my last visit, I sampled multiple ‘new to me’ beers. But before I go into the beer that inspired this article, I’d like to give a honorable mention to the Smash Mosaic IPA. Despite IPAs not being a style I tend to gravitate towards, this beer really impressed me. Try it on your next visit in!

The beer that stood out to me was the Derby Hat Brown ale. Is it just me or do you feel brown ales are making a comeback? Either way, DECA has definitely caught wind of the trend and this beer is a hit! Just a bit of history about this style…The Brown Ale style has been brewed since 1700 and DECA’s Derby Hat makes you feel like you’ve been transported to England to enjoy this classic style. The hue of the beer matches the namesake of the style with a brown to amber hue and a tannish white head. Derby Hat has a nutty nose that reminds me of hazelnut with a bit of toffee in the nose. So familiar that I get that giddy inner excitement of visiting an old friend. Derby Hat is mildly roasty upfront and allows a semi sweet maltiness to come through on the back end. A delicate balance that is like a well rehearsed dance being played out in front of your eyes. Derby Hat’s hazelnut taste lingers but isn’t invasive and drinks very smooth. Being a low 5.2% abv means I can enjoy multiple in a single sitting with no regrets. I’ve always been a big fan of their stout (big surprise there, right?) however this may be my new starter beer because of it’s full and balanced flavor. It’s a perfect start to a night of enjoying local craft beer. 

DECA has been working diligently to put their beer across town to make it easier for you to get a hold of their wonderful selection. If it isn’t in a craft beer establishment near you, request it. Chances are they will bring their line up to your side of town. The IPAs there are pretty popular and generally sell out quickly. Cody and I discussed how quickly they have been spreading throughout town in such a short time and how quickly they are going through kegs in the market. If you prefer to do your drinking at home, they offer crowlers to go. Beer hack! Just between us – they offer $10 crowlers on Sundays, which is probably one of the best deals in the city!

Next time you are in the northeast side of town, come hangout with me and have some amazing true to style beers and good times. Find me on IG (mxc_ronnie) and let’s have a beer! Cheers!

DECA Beer Company is located at 25428 TX-494 Loop Suite G, Porter, TX 77365.

The post Nerding out over beer at DECA Beer Company first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Nerding out over beer at DECA Beer Company appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Did you know Project Halo Brewing is a woman & veteran owned nanobrewery? Project Halo gets its name from the military background that both owners, Melissa and Steve Mendez, have. Melissa, Project Halo’s head brewer, has designed the taproom to feel so welcoming and familiar. One thing that draws me to them is the displays of Hispanic heritage in their beer names and in the taproom décor. From the hanging piñatas to the color sugar skulls accents, the vibe in the taproom is cool, collected and in order. The flight boards are uniquely shaped like a painter’s palette and the full pours accompany beautiful glassware that’s unique and really brings the one of a kind experience together.

Speaking of one of a kind, Project Halo recently announced a cool annual membership club, called The Halo Team. In true military fashion, it involves a tradition with Challenge Coins as a perfect perk to the membership. But first, let’s talk beer…..

On my last visit, I decided to have a pour of the new Triple Black IPA, Disco Demon. Disco Demon is a collaboration conducted with our friends at Misfit Outpost and comes in at 10% abv. Disco Demon pours as dark as night and doesn’t allow light to pass through living up to the demon name. The head is a dark tan color that really stands out and shines in the glass for that ultimate picture opportunity. You know when a beer looks good enough to drink. The nose has a beautiful hop aroma that reminds me of mild grapefruit pith and leads the way to a nutty aroma that reminds me of hazelnut spread. After admiring the beauty of the pour and the welcoming nose I dive right in and I immediately notice how smooth Disco Demon and how easy it is to drink for a 10% beer. The initial sip is roasty with no overpowering bitterness. Pretty well balanced with the roast presence with most of the hops coming through on the back end, resulting in a bold grapefruit flavor that sticks around but isn’t astringent. The mouthfeel is creamy and full of body. Disco Demon really is an absolute pleasure to drink. In addition to being easy to drink, what I love the most about Disco Demon is the balance of this beer’s tasting experience. Nothing overpowers another element in this beer – just a perfect blend of roasty and hoppy flavors, resulting in a traditional true to style brew. Another bonus beyond the beer is Project Halo Brewery is very dog friendly inside and outside, a huge plus for those of us that have our four legged friends in tow.

If this beer alone was any indication on what to expect from the beers coming out of this brewery, I just knew I made the right decision to sign up for their annual membership. In the Halo Team membership, you receive a t-shirt that is exclusive to the halo team and a challenge coin to carry. New to the concept, I asked Melissa and Steve what a challenge coin was. The challenge is proof in the military that you are part of a small and close unit, in this case – the brewery membership club. Accepting the coin comes with the term challenge. You must be willing to challenge a friend or membership holder to see if they have their coin on them. If they do not have their coin, they buy you a beer. If they can reveal their coin to you, then you must buy them a beer. Challenge accepted! Such a cool and unique addition to a membership club that you don’t see very often.

Another benefit of joining The Halo Team is every time you visit the brewery you will get 20oz pours for the price of a pint (8.5% abv or lower), 15% off all beer to go, and one bottle of a barrel aged beer per year. They added a new perk being crowlers to-go of Special One-Off-Kegs on tap. I’ve heard what is in the works for this upcoming  year and let’s just say, its definitely something to look forward to. The biggest perk to being a part of the The Halo Team is you will get access to 4 annual events that is only open to members (Don’t forget your coin during these events – that could be a very expensive mistake!)

Unfortunately, the registration for the club is now closed. If you are interested, visit the brewery and tell them Houston Beer Guide sent you – there could be a chance you can get in. If not, there is always next year.

Anyways, hope to see you at Project Halo soon for more delicious beers. The first mug club night is Feb 11th so don’t you worry, I’ll have my coin on me! Feel free to challenge me.

Cheers!

The post Project Halo Brewery’s Disco Demon Triple Black IPA & Challenge Coin Membership first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Project Halo Brewery’s Disco Demon Triple Black IPA & Challenge Coin Membership appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.