Hold up…is it actually Houston Craft Beer Month? Didn’t we switch that to March?

Well, that depends on who you ask. But you know what? Let’s celebrate anyway!

Back in 2021, the fine folks at Houston Beer Guide had a brilliant idea: let’s dedicate an entire month to celebrating the incredible craft beer scene right here in Houston. And thus, August was crowned Houston Beer Month. You can check out their very first article on the concept here. Whether you call it Houston Beer Month or Houston Craft Beer Month, the goal remains the same—a month-long celebration of everything that makes Houston’s local brews special.

Breweries across the city are encouraged to throw parties, brew special beers, and engage with their fans on social media throughout the month. In these challenging times, local breweries depend on loyal customers and social media buzz to keep their taprooms buzzing, their events packed, and their beers flying off the shelves.

Now, about that little switcheroo—last year, we made the decision to move Houston Craft Beer Month to March. Why? Well, anyone who’s spent a summer in Houston knows that August can be a scorcher. We realized that holding a beer festival outdoors in that kind of heat wasn’t the best idea for beer lovers or brewery staff. But just because we moved the festival doesn’t mean we can’t raise a glass to Houston craft beer in August, too!

And it seems the idea has caught on! True Anomaly’s Michael Duckworth has kicked off a new campaign to bring Houston Craft Beer Month back to August. Breweries from around town are joining in, offering special HCBM packages that include beers, cans to go, pint glasses, HCBM patches, and more—all at a sweet price. Plus, a portion of the sales from each package is donated to the Houston Food Bank to help support families in need.

This year’s participating breweries include:

• Elder Son Brewing
• Equal Parts Brewing
• Eureka Heights Brewing
• Frost Town Brewing
• Galveston Bay Brewing
• Holler Brewing Co.
• New Magnolia Brewing
• No Label Brewing
• Saint Arnold Brewing Company
• Spindletap Brewery
• Texas Leaguer Brewing
• True Anomaly Brewing
• Vallensons Brewing Co
• Lone Pint Brewery

Head over to the Houston Craft Beer Month page for all the details on this fantastic campaign benefiting The Houston Food Bank.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, grab a pint or five, and keep Houston’s beer scene alive and kicking. Show your support with your dollars and your social media shoutouts. Let’s make this August Houston Craft Beer Month one to remember!

Cheers!

The post Now is the perfect time to celebrate Houston Beer first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Now is the perfect time to celebrate Houston Beer appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Houston Beer Month means being proud and celebrating being in one of the best beer cities in the world, while having the ability to support local year round!

It means going to Vallensons‘, Saloon Door, Backyard and sharing a pint with friends, as we talk about beer and life.  

Houston Beer Month means going to Nobi Public House, and Penny’s Beer Garden with my family and being able to sample some of the latest from New Magnolia, St Arnold, 11 Below, Elder Son, or from across the state such as Jester King. 

It means being part of one the best dang homebrew clubs, The Bay Area Mashtronauts, the current Lone Star Circuit Champions. Not only do we talk about local, and national beer, we brew all things fermented.

Houston Beer Month means sourcing all my brewing supplies at one of the best homebrew stores, Sitta Brew Hub, where you can not only get supplies but sit down and talk about and learn about beer. You are even able to secure some local sourced supplies such as raw honey from Budz Bees Farm.

It means entering some of my homebrews into some of the most competitive homebrew competitions, on some of the most competitive circuits and walking away with a few medals. 

Houston Beer Month means supporting local brewing content creators such as podcasts like Draught Queens Podcast, Best of Show: The Competition Brewing Podcast, and How Not To Start A Damn Brewery. Watching local Youtuber’s such as Venture Brewing, and Mean Brews. 

It means going to special community organized events like Houston Beer Guide’s Block Party and experiencing brews from No Label, Back Pew, Spindletap, and many others!

Houston Beer Month means coming together with friends, family, and complete strangers in all things beer to hang out and have a good time while being responsible and enjoying local brews prepared especially for this reason.

It means being able to go to my local store that stocks beers from places that are less than 50 miles from me and not only have a selection of styles but breweries that others across the country would be jealous of! 

Houston we have beer, we know beer, let’s keep Houston a Beer Town, get out there and support as local as you can!

Cheers Y’all!

Matt Jaggers

The post The meaning of Houston Beer Month first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post The meaning of Houston Beer Month appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Senate Avenue Brewing brought home the gold Bolo in the first ever Legislative Pro-Am hosted by the Craft Brewers Guild. The award had 16 breweries enter in conjunction with the Texas House Representatives from the brewery’s respective districts. Senate Avenue worked with Representative Lacey Hull and her staff on the submission for District 138 to choose a style of beer that was most representative of the people that live in the district. which skews heavily of Latin descent. The idea that was chosen was aptly named House District 138 Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout. Owner Andrew Mitcham credits his staff, especially Kitchen Manager Jessica Cerro, for their contributions for the recipe. Cerro, a native of Acapulco Mexico, contributed by offering her family’s storied recipe for Mexican hot chocolate to be the basis for the stout. 

Mitchem also credits brewer Adam Millard for helping come up with a unique stout recipe to work along with Cerra’s hot chocolate to create the winning submission.

“Adam brewed it, then it went to fermentation. Towards the end of fermentation, we started to add the spices to it like cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa nibs and a little bit of cayenne. We were a little nervous about adding too much cayenne because we didn’t want it to be like our pepper beer, so we added half of what we would normally add for cayenne and it ended up being the perfect amount.”

Andrew Mitcham

Representative Hull commented as well on the award, saying “I was excited to collaborate with Senate Avenue on creating this Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout as our House District 138 entry to the inaugural Pro-Am competition! I am proud to represent HD 138 that encompasses west Houston and Jersey Village, one of the most diverse districts in Houston and the state. Senate Avenue is a great small business partner not only in this (competition) but in our community”. Representative Hull went on to add, “I look forward to continuing to work with them (Senate Avenue) and hopefully defending our title next year!”

Not to be outdone, True Anomaly Brewing has quickly established a dynasty of sorts in the state by winning not just four total Bolos in this year’s competition (three gold and one bronze) but most importantly repeating as Brewery of the Year in the 600+ Barrel Group. This is True Anomaly’s second time being named the 600+ Barrel Brewery of the Year and also their second in a row. Per the Texas Craft Brewers Guild website, the criteria for winning Brewery of the Year are based off of each medal awarded at the Brewers Cup, with one point for a bronze Bolo, two points for a silver, and three points for a gold.  

True Anomaly won four medals at this year’s Brewers Cup, including three gold and one bronze Bolo. The winning beer submissions this year for True Anomaly were a gold Bolo for White Dwarf (American & European Sour), a gold Bolo for Flanders Redux (Wood & Barrel Aged Sour & Brett Beer), a bronze Bolo for Sea of Waves (also Wood & Barrel Aged Sour & Brett Beer), and finally a gold Bolo for Fireflies (Experimental, Hybrid & Specialty Beer). This after True Anomaly won 5 total Bolos in 2023 (three gold and two silver).  Co-Owner of True Anomaly Michael Duckworth attributes the accolades to the work of the entire team, especially considering many of their accolades are in categories for beer styles that are often time intensive to produce and are difficult to master to an award-winning level.  

With a new production facility and tap room under construction currently with hopes to open to the public later this year, the future is bright for True Anomaly. With a bright future and being two-time defending Brewery of the Year in the state comes high expectations. Duckworth added that he felt the brewery was more than up to the task of continuing to produce excellent beer, but also continuing to challenge itself to not accept the successes of the recent past.   

The post True Anomaly and Senate Avenue Bring Additional Notoriety with Awards from 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Cup first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post True Anomaly and Senate Avenue Bring Additional Notoriety with Awards from 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Cup appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

With the closures of several local Houston breweries and businesses in the last two years, it’s time to face the fact that craft beer has derailed on it’s track to success.

In the landscape of beverage culture, craft beer once stood as a beacon of innovation, taste, and independence. However, as the industry has grown, it has begun to lose its essence, and in many ways, its very soul. The demise of craft beer isn’t solely due to external factors; rather, it’s a result of the very people who championed it – the craft beer fans themselves.

There’s something deeply intimate about the connection between consumers and local craft breweries, a lot like we see in the cherished bonds of real love and relationships. Much like nurturing a romantic relationship, supporting local craft breweries requires dedication, loyalty, and a willingness to invest time and resources. Just as lovers rely on each other for support and encouragement, local craft breweries depend on the backing of their local community to flourish and sustain.

These breweries aren’t just purveyors of beer; they’re creators of community, craftsmanship, and culture. They bring people from all walks of life together, bonded only through the liquids that they drink. Amidst the challenges posed by mass-produced alternatives and economic uncertainty, the need for steadfast support has never been more pressing.

So ask yourself, how did we navigate away from the days of before? Where did we go wrong? Where did my passion for local beer go and why did it leave in the first place?

Did the hype train cause a crash and burn? Did the quest for the latest limited-release or hyped-up collaboration becoming more important than the quality and craftsmanship behind the beer itself, causing the lack of interest/ burn out effect we see today? Did the single track mindset stifle innovation leaving you bored with the products that are being offered today?

However, all hope is not lost. Craft beer can still reclaim its essence and regain its former glory by returning to its roots. This is not the end of the line. Support from the community has always been the engine driving craft breweries forward. Like a train stalled on its tracks, the craft beer community must pause to reconsider its trajectory and rediscover the essence of what made craft beer so beloved in the first place. We know craft beer isn’t dead; it’s still thriving in the hearts of those who appreciate its uniqueness and character.

The question is now ‘will you pledge your support back to the local craft community and help our city’s scene get back on track?’

Join us as we kick off a new wave of Houston beer with the return of Houston Beer Month. Typically in August of each year, we decided that this initiative simply can not wait and breweries/beer businesses need your help now.

Here are a few ideas on how you can help get involved for Houston Beer Month.

1. Social media engagement: Follow your favorite breweries on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok. Engage with their posts by liking, commenting, and sharing to help increase their visibility and reach.
2. Word of mouth recommendations: Spread the word about your favorite breweries to friends, family, and colleagues. Personal recommendations carry a lot of weight and can introduce new customers to the craft beer scene.
3. Attend brewery events: Participate in brewery events such as tap takeovers, beer releases, and brewery tours. These events help foster a sense of community and support for local breweries. We have a list of all the cool events happening in March on our website. Help us find more event and spread the word.
4. Volunteer at festivals: Many craft beer festivals rely on volunteers to help with various tasks such as pouring beer, setting up, and cleaning up. There are several beer festivals happening in March – check em out.
5. Write reviews: Leave positive reviews for your favorite breweries on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Untappd. Honest and positive reviews can help attract new customers and boost the brewery’s reputation.
6. Educate yourself and others: Take the time to learn about different beer styles, brewing techniques, and the history of craft beer. Share your knowledge with others and help foster a greater appreciation for craft beer.
7. Support homebrewers: Encourage and support homebrewers in your community. Attend homebrewing events, offer feedback on their beers, and help promote their creations.
8. Promote responsible drinking: Encourage responsible drinking habits within the craft beer community. Advocate for moderation and safe consumption practices to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the industry.
9. Support beer-related charities: Look for breweries or beer-related charities that support causes you care about. Whether it’s environmental conservation, social justice, or community development, donating to these organizations can have a positive impact on both the industry and society.
10. Participate in beer swaps: Organize or participate in beer trades with friends or fellow craft beer enthusiasts. Trading beers allows you to try new brews without spending additional money while fostering a sense of camaraderie within the community.
11. Offer feedback to breweries: Provide constructive feedback to breweries about their beers and customer experience. Whether through social media, email, or in-person discussions, sharing your thoughts helps breweries understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
12. Support local businesses that serve craft beer: Patronize bars, restaurants, and bottle shops that prioritize offering a diverse selection of craft beers. Your support helps these businesses thrive and creates demand for craft beer in the broader market.
13. Advocate for craft beer culture: Be an ambassador for craft beer culture in your community. Houston Beer Guide is always looking for contributors to share their passion for craft beer with others, introduce newcomers to the world of craft beer, and advocate for its continued growth and recognition as a cultural and culinary art form. Email us if you interested in becoming a contributor.

The post Keeping the #HoustonBeer Train Rolling with Houston Beer Month first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Keeping the #HoustonBeer Train Rolling with Houston Beer Month appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

August is for supporting local beer.

Why? Because we said so. *wink. Plus, have you taken a look at the craft beer scene in our city lately? Ooof, it’s rough out there and this industry can use your support yet again.

With new breweries closing (Black Page Brewing Co.), the lack of public excitement about enjoying craft beer on social media, and the ever-shrinking beer budget that we ALL have been impacted by – it’s no surprise that these local businesses depend on your support to simply exist. Craft beer sales are down nationwide (yet again), and our city has undoubtedly been affected in more ways than one since 2020. So how does this change in beer buying habits impact the local craft beer business? This is a great conversation starter to have with any local brewery owner. Rising costs and reduced traffic in the taproom are all points covered but one commonality brewery owners often echo is you. As a local beer supporter, you are the reason they are still operating and serving beer. They are beyond grateful for your continued support every time you visit or buy their products.

What is Houston Beer Month anyways?

Jerry Garcia once said “People need celebration in their life. It’s part of what it means to be human. We need magic and bliss and power, myth, and celebration in our lives. And music is a good way to encapsulate a lot of it.”. I like to believe that this is statement is true, and the element of bliss I take from this is enjoying a delicious craft beer beverage made by awesome people I call friends. I enjoy this, and so do you.

In many craft beer cities, you will often see a week-long celebration of local beer being promoted generally in the style of “This City Beer Week“. Houston is so large; we figured a month-long celebration was more appropriate for our big style. We hope by spotlighting this city’s great beer by creating focus to supporting local beer and expand the message that Houston Beer matters, and it’s here to stay.

What can I do to help?

August is the time to drink up and speak up for this industry.

We are asking all Houston beer supporters to show mad love to their local breweries in celebration all month by sharing their social media posts, tagging locally made beer on social media and showing love for all things Houston beer any way they can! Visit any Houston area brewery, buy beer to go or taproom merch, talk to a bartender, make a new friend. Your presence matters.

During the month of August, Houston Beer Guide accepts guest community contributors for those that want to share their love for Houston beer with us. Write about Houston beer, and we will give you a platform to share it with others. Check out the quick writing guidelines below and tell us why you love Houston with beer reviews, photography and stories of great craft beer and comradery. Don’t forget to tag us at @HoustonBeer and use hashtag #HoustonBeerMonth for reposts.

Guest Contributor Writing Guidelines for August

• Articles should be at least 2-3 paragraphs max
• Articles should be focused on your honest experience about beer or brewery, ideally positive with an engaging story or subject.
• Must include an original photo with our article. Submitting multiple photos is also accepted.
• Email your submissions to cheers@HoustonBeerGuide.com – along with your full name and photo of yourself. Don’t forget to share your social media handles.

#HoustonBeer Block Party returns! Tickets on sale now!

The #Houstonbeer summer event of the year!

Enjoy beer samples from 12 breweries, live music, local food and street vendors. This limited ticket festival is designed so that you can get to know other members of this great community in a laid back block party setting – much like you would experience getting to know your neighbors. Pull up a chair, pop up your 10×10, put on those flip flops and let’s hang out.

Read about the full event details here: Houston Beer Block Party – Houston Beer Guide

2023 Participating Breweries:

(VIP) Saloon Door Brewery – Webster TX

(VIP) Back Pew Brewing – Porter TX

(VIP) Vallensons’ Brewing Co – Pearland TX

(VIP) No Label Brewing – Katy TX

(VIP) Turkey Forrest Brewing – Houston TX

Backyard Brewing Company – Dickinson TX

Excalibur Brewing – Spring TX

Astral Brewing – Houston TX

Galveston Island Brewing – Galveston TX

Ingenious Brewing Company – Humble TX

Texas Leaguer Brewing Company – Missouri City TX

Beer Festival Charity Fundraiser with Southern Smoke Foundation

We are so very GRATEFUL for this beer community.

This year, we decided to create a fundraiser to give back to the food and beverage industry’s hard-working beer workers. This year, the benefiter is Houston founded non-profit organization, Southern Smoke Foundation. The Southern Smoke Foundation supports members of the food and beverage industry in crisis nationwide through emergency relief funding and provides accessible, no-cost mental health services through its mental health program, Behind You. 

 This initiative is so important to us that we decided to make it extra special by offering a unique gift to anyone that donates.  Donate $20 or more to this cause using the link below and you will recieve with this unique event poster designed by award winning beer artist Chris Hernandez as a special thank you!

Donate today:

LINK: Southern Smoke Foundation | Kindful

Join us in celebrating this city’s great beer and amazing community with Houston Beer. Reach out to our contributor team by emailing cheers@houstonbeerguide.com. See you at the block party!

The post Grateful for HOU – Celebrating Houston Beer Month first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Grateful for HOU – Celebrating Houston Beer Month appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

The word “michelada” is a Spanish portmanteau that combines “chela” (slang term for beer) with “ada” for “helada,” meaning cold, and “mi” for mine — basically “my cold beer”. I used to not be a fan of micheladas until I tried a michelada made with mix from Space City Snax. If you order a michelada in the U.S., you’ll likely receive a mexican lager spiked with spicy V8 like tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime at a minimum. Just like craft beer, micheladas flavors and additions have exploded in the market with fun toppers like bacon, mexican candy, and even sliders! I like to say that micheladas are to beer, the same way a bloody mary is to vodka where it’s not just the mix that adds value to the beverage. In many ways, there is no wrong way to dress up a michelada and Space City Snax has lots of options for you to explore so that you can create your very own michelada medley.

Recently, I enjoyed the lime michelada with Turkey Forrest Brewing’s Lightning Strike cream ale and dressed my michelada fully loaded with cucumbers, a pretzel stick, olives, drips sauce and some additional spices to top it all off. I don’t know what I enjoyed more the beer with the michelada mix or taking the fruit off and eating it with the drip sauce. This is a drink you can literally make a meal from and makes a great addition to brunch. Space City Snax motto is ‘The Spice is Nice’ and let me be the first to tell you – the motto holds true. 

For me, the spice level was just right, not too spicy but enough to give it a bite of heat when you hit half way point of the drink. If bold spice isn’t your thing, there’s a line up of less spicy forward options like mango, pineapple, orange, or strawberry. You want something tangy? They offer pickle, cucumber, and lime. They even have a “tropickle” (a tropical pickle mix) that a local brewery made a pickle beer with and let me tell you it was one of the best pickle beers on the market. They even have a new beer collaboration coming very soon with Turkey Forrest Brewing that I’m very excited about. I hinted about this in my last article. Give it a read.

Space City Snax offers a wide variety of flavors they carry for purchase so you can make micheladas at home. I included a menu of their line up below of amazing mixes, rim dips, and snacks they offer. My personal favorite is the spicy gummies they offer as they pair especially well with lagers.. I’ve included a list of where you can find Space City Snax around town below for your reference. One of my go-to spots to pick up mix is at Big Owl because they have the Mango Chamoy michelada flavor. It has become my favorite way to mix up my beer drinking routine lately. Interested in other options or got an idea? Send Space City Snax a message on his Instagram page for more info.

Space City Snax will be featured as a community vendor during the Houston Beer Block Party. Ask your local brewery about Space City Snax, as Adrian will often be seen behind the bar mixing up new creations for you during vendor events. This michelada mix works well with nearly every light beer but don’t be surprised if you see folks mixing with IPAs, wheats and other styles of beer.

The post Out of this world micheladas w/Space City Snax first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Out of this world micheladas w/Space City Snax appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

If I’m being honest I’d say the part I’m most excited about is that Middie Back will be offered in cans to go soon. Don’t get me wrong you can get a crowler to go but there’s something special about having multiple cans in a cooler that really feels special. Middie Back will be sold in cans to go from the brewery towards the end of the August so swing by, try out this micro brewery in the Heights. It’s Houston Beer Month after all – why not support one of the newest breweries in town. Elder Son is nestled on North Shepherd just across the street from the popular Kroger on 11th in a cozy air conditioned tap room.  Elder Son hosts a run club every Tuesday from 6:30-7 pm and offer multiple distances runs for all types of fitness runners. There is also a pizza shop that opened up right next door – so feel free to skip the run and make a bee line to the bar top for a sit with the locals.

Can’t make it out to the taproom in the Heights – come out and meet Robert (and Darnell!) on our VIP Brewers panel at the Houston Beer Block Party. Tickets are available at shop.houstonbeerguide.com.

See you there!

The post Middie Back Amber Ale from Elder Son Brewery in the Heights first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Middie Back Amber Ale from Elder Son Brewery in the Heights appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Agua frescas inspired beers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diversity at Big Owl Craft Beer House. The fact that both the brewery (Turkey Forrest Brewing) and Big Owl have turned their love for craft beer and love for the hispanic culture into a fun and embracing environment makes it a place to catch familiar faces of the beer community hanging out. The bar hosts Millennial Loteria every Tuesdays at 7 pm for the chance to win prizes from different breweries or if music night life if your thing, join them for their Tejano nights that are held there frequently. Rumor has it Big Owl and Turkey Forrest Brewing even have a luchador that roams the halls from time to time to greet people enjoying the beers and spreading the joy of craft beer while embodying the spirit behind their line of beers they craft with so much pride. 

I really love stopping out at Turkey Forrest Brewing located inside Big Owl Brew House and the bar staff always makes me feel like right at home. Hanging out in the air conditioned taproom for hours at a time to catch a game or just catch up with friends is a routine activity I find myself going out of my way to do often. If you happened to catch an Astros game there, make sure to remind Louie the Astros are better than the Dodgers. He needs a friendly but constant reminder of who we beat to win the World Series in 2017.

Anyways, go check out the full selection of #Houstonbeer rotating at Turkey Forrest. It doesn’t disappoint. Turkey Forrest Brewing will also be present at the Houston Beer Block party happening August 27th – swing by their block and try their beer. Get your tickets online today!

Also, spoiler alert, the luchador is me.

The post A taste of the tamarind sour at Turkey Forrest Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post A taste of the tamarind sour at Turkey Forrest Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Here are my top IPAs picks of 2022 brewed right here in Houston and perfect to celebrate with on National IPA Day!

Heavy Hands Double IPA – Spindletap Brewery

Welcome back for the second year in a row! If you read my Valentines letter to this beer, you know my mad obsession with Heavy Hands DIPA from Spindletap Brewing. This beer pours milky bright yellow with vibrant hops qualities present on all corners. This IPA has a strong citrus kick making it the true definition of Texas juice bomb! It’s medium body and soft mouthfeel continues to delight my hop head senses with each sip. This beer packs a heavy punch at a hefty 8% and if you aren’t careful – this beer will knock yo ass out! Cans are generally available in the taproom year around and local distro markets like HEB. I recommend loading up on the case special at the brewery, because the 6 month shelf life is nice. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. You won’t want this hoppy adventure to end. Cheers to the heavy weight champ of Houston hazy beers!

Doc Hoppiday Hazy IPA – Saloon Door Brewing

This beer is my hoppy huckleberry. Coming in at 6.8%, this hazy New England style IPA from Saloon Door Brewing in Webster is an ultra smooth drinkable IPA with all the juicy characteristics hop heads crave. With all Citra hops and its bold tropical juice notes, this beer finishes dry with a slight hop bite on the end. You can always find Doc at the grocery stores (HEB and Total Wine for sure!). This week, I noticed a proper decision was made in the beer aisle.

Yellow Rose Smash IPA – Lone Pint Brewery

It wouldn’t be proper to leave out this Texas classic, Yellow Rose IPA from Magnolia’s Lone Pint Brewery. To be honest, I stepped away from this beer for a while due to some inconsistent quality concerns over the last two years but once I heard it was back in full swing and in environmentally safe 6 packs, I jumped back on the juicy train.

Named after a true Texas heroine, this SMaSH, Single Malt and Single Hop, IPA uses a butt ton of malt and hop released in 2012 called Mosaic (HBC 369). Whole cone mosaic hops are used for bittering, flavoring, and aroma in the kettle and is massively dry hopped for this beer’s mega citrus aroma. Believe it or not, this is still a fan favorite in the beer crowds with a dedicated following that I expect to see around for years to come.

Tanuki IPA – Back Pew Brewing

It’s easy to get lost in amazement by all the eye catching labels in craft beer but don’t skip over this core IPA from Back Pew Brewing in Porter Texas. Tanuki is brewed with a split grist of Pilsner/Maris Otter malt with cold-whirlpool Azacca/Sultana/Comet hops giving this beer 35 IBU of punchy citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It’s then fermented with a Kveik yeast for added pineapple pop before dry hopping near the saturation point of 2.2 lbs/bbl of the 3 hops above. It’s filtered crystal clear and is a super easy drinking citrus slightly piney packed IPA. Tanuki cuts you down to size on a mellow 6.4% ABV. You will be surprised how well the juice qualities and grassy notes balance out on this beauty.

Mini Boss IPA – Eureka Heights Brewing Co.

Launched in 2017, Mini Boss from Eureka Heights Brewing Co. has established itself as what I would call a classic Houston IPA. This double dry-hopped IPA is jammed full of citrus and tropical notes with Citra and Mosaic hops joining forces in this fruity IPA. This beer makes a great pair to gaming nights with buddies, a night out in Downtown with the friends or relaxing at your favorite camp site. You can normally find this beer widely available at most bars in download alongside equally great Eureka Heights offerings. Beer so good, you might even want to score a 19.2oz can to enjoy all by yourself. Do it, we won’t judge you.

Love this article? Give it a share on social media!

While you are at it, tell us what you are enjoying on this fine IPA day in Houston Texas! Hoppy IPA day, yall!

The post 5 Houston area IPAs you should be drinking on National IPA Day first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post 5 Houston area IPAs you should be drinking on National IPA Day appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

When I ask my wife why she loves this beer so much more above all the other great lagers made at this brewery, she states simply “it’s so well balanced. It’s light, easy to drink yet malty enough to have a multi dimension flavor above other beers. It’s a great introduction to craft beer for someone who is new to beer or drinks common domestic options.” She was not always a fan of craft beer and this was one of the beers that made her realize that not all beer is created equally. You know it’s truly special when a beer hits on all cylinders. One of my favorite memories is the watching her eyes light up after the first sip from my pint and immediately shouted “Wow – I thought I hated beer. This is good!”

A beer so good Hank Hill would give up Alamo for it in the alley.

So clean Dale would make a conspiracy theory about them using it to control you!

Next time you’re in the brewery ask head brewer Bobby Harl about his pocket grain and squirrel tactics.

The post Yup! Dang ole good beer from Back Pew Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Yup! Dang ole good beer from Back Pew Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.