Big Owl is turning four, and they’re celebrating in a big way on September 6th from noon until 11 p.m.! It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since their grand opening. In that time, they’ve become a true community hub—a place where you can make new friends, discover amazing new beers, and share tons of laughs.

Since opening its doors, Big Owl has become a beloved fixture in the Houston craft beer scene. They offer a unique mix of traditional craft brews and special beers with Latin-inspired flavors. You’ll find a rotating selection of local and regional beers on tap, Mexican bottled beers for the non-craft crowd, and a wide variety of to-go options. Plus, any drink can be upgraded to a michelada.

What’s Planned for the Celebration?

The party is split into two parts so everyone can join in the fun.

• 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Family-Friendly Fun): Bring the whole family for face painting, Sweet Treats by Lily, and tasty paletas (popsicles) to keep the kids happy while you relax.
• 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Grown-Up Time): The evening kicks off with a DJ and door prizes given away every hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Confirmed sponsors include Galveston Island Brewing, Misfit Outpost, Great Heights, Louie Louie, Frost Town, Equal Parts, and Space City Snax, with more to be announced!

Of course, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without beers from their in-house brewery, Turkey Forrest Brewing, which will have several options on tap.

Don’t drink alcohol? No problem! Alcohol-free and THC options will also be available.

See You There!

I can’t wait to celebrate with good friends and the incredible community of beer lovers that Big Owl has built. Big Owl always goes all out for its events, and this will be no exception. As an early bird rather than a night owl (see what I did there?), I’ll be sure to get there early to support the friends I’ve made over the years. I’ll never forget when Al from Big Owl caught me secretly writing a review for Turkey Forrest Brewing, after I snuck in an article on Big Owl without them knowing who I was. Now, whenever they see me with my beer notebook, they know exactly what’s coming!

Which part of the celebration are you most looking forward to?

The post Celebrating Four Years of Big Owl! first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Celebrating Four Years of Big Owl! appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Few weeks ago when I saw that Backpew was releasing a Kolsch, I knew I had to rush to the taproom to check it out. A Kolsch is such an easy-drinking beer that I was certain I was in for a pleasant treat. This style is often overlooked in breweries, yet it’s so perfect for the Houston heat. I always make an effort to find new ones to try.

This Kolsch was everything you could ask for in a true-to-style brew. While the nose was mild, the taste packed a punch. It poured a beautiful golden hay color with a pillowy white head that perfectly laced the glass as I sipped. I noticed a hint of lemon up front, followed by a mild yet balanced hop bite reminiscent of an orange. This mouthwatering and refreshing blend of lemon and orange allowed me to savor each sip before going back for another. Backpew’s Kolsch was smooth and crisp, with a sweet finish that perfectly balanced the mild hop bite. If you’re a fan of being able to crush multiple easy-drinking beers, this was definitely the one to try.

While this beer may no longer be on tap (Bobby, please brew more!), you can still go check out Back Pew’s other solid lineup of crushable beers.

Oh, and that 5K I teased? It’s taking place on November 15th, and you can find all the details here:

LINK TO SIGN UP: https://runintexas.redpodium.com/back-pew-brewing-co-5k-beer-run-2025

Join me in running a 5K (3.1 miles) and having some beers afterward! Maybe by then, I’ll be close to losing 175 pounds, and we can make this fun event a huge celebration! Who’s with me?

Back Pew Brewing Co 5K Beer Run

The 5K starts and finishes at Back Pew Brewery, running on shady and beautiful neighborhood streets. Upon finishing, runners will receive four 8oz craft beers, a custom finisher pint glass, and a nice tech shirt with the event logo. Food will be on-site, but it is not included in the entry fee. Strollers are welcome!

Event Details:

• Location: 26452 Sorters McClellan Rd, Porter, TX 77365
• Date & Time: Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 8:00 AM

Packet Pick-up:

• Friday Race Week: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Back Pew Brewing Co.
• Saturday Race Day: 6:30 AM – 7:45 AM at Back Pew Brewing Co.

Pricing:

• 5K Entry:
  • $60 through October 15
  • $65 through November 1
  • $70 after that
  • $75 on race day
• Minor / Non-Alcohol Entry:
  • $45 through October 15
  • $50 through November 1
  • $55 after that
  • $60 on race day
• Discounts: Military, Police, and Fire receive a $5 discount. Email info@runintexas.com for the code, and have your ID handy at packet pick-up. Thanks for your service!

The post Ready to Run for a Beer? Join Me at the Backpew 5K! first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Ready to Run for a Beer? Join Me at the Backpew 5K! appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Tucked in the Hardy Yards neighborhood just north of Downtown, Gristworkz stands out as a true neighborhood hub, where bold flavors and community vibes come together in an industrial-style taproom. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by vibrant murals, soaring ceilings with exposed beams, and garage-style doors that open to a breezy, dog-friendly patio. It’s casual and welcoming—whether you’re rolling post-ride, flying solo, or catching up with friends.

Behind the bar, co-owner Dave Sorrell, a Certified Cicerone and longtime force in Houston’s cocktail scene, is making sure the beer lineup stays both approachable and thoughtful. Recent releases include Corn Star, a clean and crisp American Lager that clocks in at 5.2% and practically begs to be enjoyed on the patio; Flip Flop Cowboy, a malt-rich Amber Ale with backbone and balance; La Llorona, a 4.7% Mexican-style lager with a subtle bite; and Side Gig, their ever-changing seasonal sour that brings funk and fruit in all the right ways. 

Chef Bobby Mireles runs the revamped kitchen, serving up dishes that go far beyond your standard bar fare. Think rotating monthly pizzas and burgers, crispy Smoked-Then-Fried Wangz with juicy, smoky interiors, and addictive Brussels sprouts tossed in Szechuan sauce. The Chicken Tikka pizza is a standout, and The Champ—a one-time special turned permanent menu item—is a fan favorite for good reason.

Gristworkz also keeps things exciting with weekly specials that hit the sweet spot between value and creativity. Mondays feature the playful “Drink Like a Cornstar” deal—Corn Star Lager, a corndog, and a shot of Mellowcorn for just $10. Tuesdays are all-day happy hour, Wednesdays offer Prime Ribeye Steak Night with half-off wine, and Thursdays are built for casual dates with a pizza and two-house pints for $22. The weekend brunch, running from 11AM to 3PM, strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and lively.

More than just a brewery, Gristworkz is a gathering place for all kinds of people. The full cocktail bar caters to non-beer drinkers, and just outside, the Palo Santo coffee truck brings even more community energy. Run by couple Mikky and Meka, Palo Santo opens early Tuesday through Sunday—offering an eclectic lineup of coffees, house specialties, non-coffee drinks, and even light bites. Open even when the brewery is closed, it’s become a morning staple for locals looking for great coffee and good vibes.

Gristworkz also serves as a clubhouse of sorts for local bike crews and F1 fans, who regularly pack the taproom for spirited race watch parties. It’s a place where good beer, good food, and good people come together—with intention, and with heart.

Gristworkz is located at 1504 Chapman Street, 77079. Find them on social media too – @gristworkz(IG) @palosantohtx(IG) or website – gristworkz.com

All photos by and used with permission of Steve Fraga. 

The post Beyond the Brews: Discover Gristworkz first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Beyond the Brews: Discover Gristworkz appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Like many Americans, I can’t help but notice the effects of weekly—or daily—alcohol consumption on my body and mind. According to research by The New Consumer/Coefficient, nearly a third of Americans planned to participate in some form of Dry January in 2025, either by cutting down or eliminating alcohol for the month. Among Gen Z and millennial drinkers, that number jumps to 49%. Call me sober-curious, I’ve never been one to just tiptoe into a goal—I go all in. Truth be told, I didn’t actually start the challenge until middle of first week of January after a much-needed winter vacation in Tennessee. I wasn’t about to skip out on the booze there—haha. Sorry, not sorry.

If no one has told you before, this dry January stuff is hard. Really hard. Perhaps if you don’t work in the industry, you might find a way to avoid it completely which could make this easier on yourself.

Consciously, I never had doubts of my decisions to indulge (sometimes too much), and I never felt like I needed alcohol to function, focus or even deal with life’s problems. Between working for a large technology company, running micro side hustles, and raising a daughter, hear me when I say – I stay busy. I never really noticed the toll alcohol was taking on me but now I can see how much more I had to gain by stepping away from it.

Today, I’m already feeling the benefits. My energy levels have skyrocketed, the morning brain fog is gone, and honestly, I’m feeling better than ever—both physically and mentally. If I feel this great after a few weeks, what would happen if I did this for four months? What about nine months? A year?

Are You Sober-Curious?

I want to share a few things I’ve learned along the way and why I’m choosing to continue this journey of soberity. Will I never drink again? More than likely and honestly, I don’t consider “quitting” part of the goal. Maybe this experiment will permanently change my drinking habits but the goal is simply to explore life without alcohol and see what it does me.

Supporting Local Breweries Without Drinking

“This industry needs me, I gotta drink to support.”

You’re not wrong. They do, but you can still support local craft breweries and bars without drinking alcohol. Most respectable spots have crafted hop water, root beer, or soda on hand. Many others have crafted mocktails, N/A beers and found ways to be creative with mineral water. I found myself reaching for hop water 99% of the time or just sticking with filtered water since I’m not big on sugary sodas. Trivia nights, live music, and hanging out with your favorite bartenders are just as enjoyable without alcohol. Spindletap Brewery is working on a N/A hazy – which I am very much looking forward to. In the meantime, I will stick to Hop Quench from Spindletap and Hop Spring sparkling water from Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

If you’re looking for alternatives, hemp-based beverages are an option. THC Delta-9 is currently legal in Texas, and local breweries are experimenting with low-dose offerings. These drinks provide a mild buzz without the nasty hangovers. You can easily enjoy two 5mg can over a couple of hours and feel nice and relaxed. I actually find myself enjoying these more at home than out. Highly recommend dosed El Rancho Grande from Spindletap Brewery, in the form of a spicy michelada.

Socializing Without Alcohol

“I only drink to relax in social environments.”

I’ve discovered that I tend to drink more when I socialize. When the vibe is really vibing, it just feels right to knock back a few too many cold ones. Keep in mind, when you decide to go dry, your social life will be impacted and unless you have a group of like-minded friends doing this challenge with you, some of your drinking buddies will likely judge your choice—secretly or not-so-secretly. I find it disturbing how many people feel “weird” when someone hanging out isn’t drinking—almost like your sobriety threatens their fun. Wild.

Being around alcohol without drinking is a challenge in itself. Choosing to put yourself in those situations is a personal decision. Me? I make myself sit at the bar, staring down my favorite bourbon selections and beer taps. How satisfying to watch the temptations melt away when you leave without a drink.

There’s No “Right” Way to Explore Sobriety

“But I might want to have a drink again…?”

Whether you’re choosing to drink more mindfully or taking a more serious approach, this journey is yours to navigate at your own pace. If you want to take a few weeks off and then enjoy a beer on your birthday—go for it. There are no hard rules for how you take on this challenge.

For all these reasons, I’ve decided to keep going. I’m looking forward to a Dry February—maybe even a Dry 2025 as a whole. Let’s take it month by month.

In the meantime, let me know where you like to enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and which local breweries are embracing the sober community.

Are you on your path to changing your alcoholic consumption patterns? I want to hear your story. Email me at @HoustonBeerGuide.com.

The post Dry January and Beyond first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Dry January and Beyond appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Ten teams will be competing in this year’s event including last years winner, Cain’s Chili, who look to be the first Hop Topic Cook-off team to defend their title and end up as repeat champions. Some contestants aim to win with overall flavor or high-end ingredients, while some test their luck by making their chili offering as spicy as possible!

Each patron of the event is given a token to use as a voting chip for boxes placed at each booth. The table with the most tokens in their box at the end is crowned as the Cook-off king. The team to walk away as winners will receive a $500 grand prize and the equally important bragging rights over the other entrants. Other awards are given to teams with the spiciest chili, the most colorful chili, and the team with the best decorated booth.

Aside from Cook-off participants, additional vendors will also be at the event with a variety of items for sale. Equal Parts will of course have plenty of beer available in the tap room to help cool down any mouths blazing from the spicy samples of the chili. There will also be a DJ on hand to keep the vibes energetic.

Ken Noble, Founder of Hop Topic, says that the impetus behind the annual Chili Cook-off is to promote inclusion and diversity in the craft beer world. “It is inspiring to see our craft beer homies and all people in our community stand firm in their beliefs, and working to celebrate differences and promote fairness for all.” Noble exclaimed.

Tickets are available online for $20 on the Hop Topic website at hoptopicworld.com/chili-cook-off or can be purchased at the Cook-off entry the day of the event.

Follow on Instagram:

@hoptopicworld @equalpartsbrewing

Where: Equal Parts Brewing – 3118 Harrisburg Blvd., 77003

When: Sunday, January 19th from 12-4pm

The post The Stakes Rise as Hop Topic Holds 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off at Equal Parts Brewing first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post The Stakes Rise as Hop Topic Holds 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off at Equal Parts Brewing appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Brewing pumpkin beer comes with very little structure or rules that must be followed. You can find pumpkin beers with a base of a standard ale, a heavy stout, a coffee porter, a sour ale, a Märzen lager, and so many other styles that can be utilized with pumpkin.

Most pumpkin beers taste great, but my second reason for being so interested in this style is that pumpkin/yam beers were a popular style in early American societies. Many scholars believe that, around 1620, colonial brewers used pumpkins and squash—among many other adjuncts containing natural sugars—to help with fermentation. In Joshua M. Bernstein’s The Complete Beer Course, he explains:

“To stretch out the costly grain, crafty brewers grabbed anything and everything that contained fermentable sugars and flavor, such as Jerusalem artichokes, persimmons, spruce tips, molasses, corn, and pumpkins.”

When enjoying pumpkin beer, we can go out on a limb and say that we’re drinking ales and lagers similar to what colonials consumed over 400 years ago. Thankfully, our society has the resources to craft more palatable pumpkin beers than those brewed by our ancestors. Read on to learn about some of Houston’s own renditions of this broad style!

“Pumpkin Spice Oktoberfest” – Saloon Door Brewing

While I’m not sure how German brewers feel about it, I’m a big fan of using pumpkin to add a little fun to a classic Märzen-style lager.

This version of Saloon Door’s classic Oktoberfest lager has organic pumpkin puree and spices added. The brewers achieved a perfect balance in what I believe was the intent of this brew. The adjuncts are present and welcome but not too robust, allowing the base beverage to shine. I enjoyed the light scent of cinnamon and subtle taste of pumpkin upfront, with the malty, lightly hoppy finish you’d expect from a quality Oktoberfest/Märzen lager.

“Nightmare on 1st Street” – No Label Brewing Company

If you enjoy vintage slasher films like I do, you might appreciate this beer just for its name. Of course, it comes with cool artwork and marketing to match.

As fun as this beer is, drink it slowly—it clocks in at 9.27% ABV, making it the second-strongest beer on this list.

What makes this pumpkin beer unique is No Label’s use of an imperial amber ale as the base. The beer is bready and malty, with light notes of caramel or toffee. On top of that, cinnamon and ginger take center stage as the dominant flavors. No Label suggests pairing this beer with roast turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, and I think they nailed it.

“Nightmare on 1st Street” is a perfect addition to this list of late fall treats, guaranteed to warm you up on a cool Houston night.

“Pumpkin Coffee Porter” – H Town Brewing Co.

H Town Brewing Co. may have been first this season to release a pumpkin beer in the greater Houston area.

“Pumpkin Coffee Porter” is a coffee porter first and a pumpkin beer second. It has a rich coffee flavor with a light scent of pumpkin to complement it. The beer’s consistency is on the lighter side for a porter, a welcome trait when enjoyed outdoors on a warm September afternoon.

“Yeller Weller Pumpkin Spice” – Elder Son Brewery

Elder Son Brewery has a seasonal milk stout called “Yeller Weller,” a semi-sweet, well-balanced dark beer with vanilla bean added. This October, they released both the seasonal ale and a pumpkin variant called “Yeller Weller Pumpkin Spice.”

This 5.7% ABV milk stout has light coffee and chocolate notes from its base beer, complemented by fall spices and pumpkin flavor. This beer is a sweet treat and my current favorite dessert beer in town.

“Pumpkinator (2024)” – Saint Arnold Brewing Company

No list of Houston-area pumpkin beers would be complete without our region’s most popular pumpkin beer: “Pumpkinator.”

This heavily layered, complex stout is perfect for sipping slowly. Each sip brings new flavors to the palate. The 2024 version offers robust notes of pumpkin, brown sugar, and molasses up front, balanced by the black coffee flavors typical of this style.

“Pumpkinator” earns high regard not just for its flavor but also for being brewed with real pumpkin—a brewing practice that seems to be fading.

Finally, one of my favorite things about “Pumpkinator” is the bottle. Packaged in a 22oz bomber, “Pumpkinator” can be enjoyed by one’s self, but it is quite a commitment. The other purpose of this size bottle is to enjoy it with someone you care about. 22oz of this beer with a friend or family member is the perfect vehicle to enjoy one’s company, share memories and
make new ones.

“Old Gourd” – Vallensons’ Brewing Company

Although the beers in this article aren’t ranked, Vallensons’ “Old Gourd” is my personal favorite of the season.

This ale contains real pumpkin, a rare but admirable choice among brewers. It’s packed with flavor, making other traditional pumpkin ales seem bland. The beer features squash flavors complemented by cinnamon and other spices. At just 5% ABV, it’s a flavorful yet sessionable option.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few more pumpkin beers from the Houston area that I’ve heard great things about but haven’t tried yet. If you enjoy any beers mentioned—or others I’ve missed—let me know your thoughts!

• “Pumpkin Annihilation” – Spicy Pumpkin Barleywine – Excalibur Brewing
• “Gourd in the Stone” – Pumpkin Imperial Stout – Excalibur Brewing
• “Smashing Pumpkin” – Pumpkin Ale – Galveston Island Brewing
• “Haunted Toffee Harvest” – Pumpkin Toffee Cream Ale – Saloon Door Brewing
• “Scared of the Dark” – Pumpkin Pie Spiced Stout – Holler Brewing

Enjoy the rest of pumpkin beer season, Houston!

Cheers!

The post Pumpkin Beer Season is Still Upon Us, Houston first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Pumpkin Beer Season is Still Upon Us, Houston appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

If you’ve ever been to Lovelady, Texas, you’ve probably heard of Stesti Brewing Company. And if you’ve had a beer in Houston, you might know “Stesti Steve”—not his real name, but that’s what he goes by on IG. He’s been repping Stesti for the last 7 few years. Jackie and I recently got the chance to visit Stesti Brewing Company latest expansion, the Stesti Food Hall and Beer Garden – right in the heart of Midtown, and let me tell you—it’s a must-see.

Remember the old Conservatory on Prairie? Yeah, kinda like that but better. Well, this new taproom sits in a similar food hall setting with 7 different and unique restaurant concepts, all under the management of the brewery. Brewing still happens at the primary brewery in Loveland and transported to the beer garden.

And it’s not just beer on tap here—the beer garden also offers margaritas and wine. Feeling fancy? There’s even a cocktail bar inside for those extra spicy moods.

While there’s plenty of seating throughout the complex, the best spot is right at the bar with our host, Steve.

We chatted with him about how much the craft beer scene has changed over the years, especially from his early days working with a well-known distributor. He walked us through several beers on tap, and here’s the scoop:

• Czech Mex: A more tart-than-wheat flavor, super approachable.
• Sex with a Ghost: An interesting brew made with hops handpicked by the brewer’s wife in Colorado. This mix of hop varieties made for a refreshing session ale.
• Summer Pilsner with Pomegranate: Fruity and delightful.
• Tractor Juice: A light, country-style spin on the classic Pilsner Urquell, clocking in at just 3.7%—perfectly refreshing.
• Dark Lager: My personal favorite, with a light body and smoky, roasted cocoa aroma.

After sampling a few beers, we hit up some of the food hall booths to check out the offerings and decided on lemon pepper wings with fried okra on the side—absolutely delicious. Vendors booths include: The Coffee Garden, Xeo Yum, Phat Bastard Pies, The Greedy Chicken, Xica, Foreign Grill. There is also a pizza bar being planned too!

How about some Sunday Funday? Their Oktoberfest event is also coming up on Sunday Oct 27, this will be a perfect time to celebrate with live DJ, craft and cocktail samples and our favorite German brass band, The Homebrewed Brass Ensemble. Stay till 4pm to watch the Malia Hula hut dancers.

If you’re looking for a new place to enjoy Houston’s perfect patio weather, make sure to stop by Stesti Beer Garden in Midtown. You won’t be disappointed! Tell Steve we sent you!

Stesti Food Hall and Beer Garden is located at 606 Dennis St. in Houston Texas.

SUNDAY – THURSDAY 11:00AM – 10:00PM // FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11:00AM – 12:00AM

THE COFFEE GARDEN IS OPEN DAILY – PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN FOR BREAKFAST 7AM-11AM

The post Patio Season is Here: Exploring Stesti Beer Garden in Midtown first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Patio Season is Here: Exploring Stesti Beer Garden in Midtown appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Owner Marcus Wunderle and his wife Kinga have turned Baa Baa, the name’s sake of their children’s favorite nursery rhyme, into a well-known destination brewery for locals and travelers alike. First opening in 2016, Baa Baa soon made their presence known in 2017 with the release of ‘Cow Jumped Over the Moon’, the first hazy style IPA to be released in Houston area and have been pushing to perfect that style ever since. 

When asked what led Marcus into pursuing a passion for making IPA’s, he explained, “We used to travel a lot before we opened the brewery, and everywhere we traveled, we would be in search of beer. One of the things we really enjoyed were the hazy IPAs that came out of L.A. and Monkish was the best.” He went on to add, “That was kind of our target. We realized people were flocking to this style of beer. We thought first of all, what is this? How would you go about making this? And, will the people in Houston buy this? It turned out that they would and they were searching for it!” 

Aside from hazy IPA’s, Baa Baa now stands alone as the king of the fruited sour market with the ‘Candy Baa’ series, which has been released as well over thirty different iterations of fruited Berliner Weisse style beers over the years. The ‘Candy Baa’ releases are mostly 5% alcohol by volume or below and are more akin to a fruit slushy from the local convenient store than a beer. These beers have a cult like following all over the country.  Their annual release of the Barrel Aged stout ‘Tiny’ also attracts significant attention from craft beer connoisseurs. 

During my visit to the brewery, I had to settle a long-time personal curiosity.  I have noticed for some time that Beer Zombies (a very popular craft brewery in Las Vegas) stickers and tin tackers are visible at both Baa Baa and at the near by Fulshear area hangout The Growler Spot.  Baa Baa has done several collaborations with Beer Zombies in the past, but I had to know how a small brewery in Brookshire was so acquainted with this national powerhouse. The story I was told by Marcus was nothing short of epic! Unfortunately, I can only provide the very, very short version of it. 

“We just showed up! We crashed his party (BZ 420 Fest actually) which is an annual beer festival held in Las Vegas by Beer Zombies where numerous other national breweries are invited to pour and special collaborations are dropped. We tried to get in and we walked up with some of our beer and happened upon Chris Jacobs, the owner of Beer Zombies, who asked ‘Who are you guys?’ I told him we were Baa Baa Brewing, and after chatting with him and some people from other breweries in attendance, like Other Half Brewing out of Brooklyn NY, he let us is and got us set up. We’ve become buddies from there on out.”  

When asked for his version of the event, Jacobs was more than willing to expand on the story.

“So pretty much I was hosting the brewers pre party meet up at Beer Zombies and the Baa Baa team rolled up and just walked in. They came over, introduced themselves and said they came out for the festival and bought tickets to attend. They wanted to drop some beers off and let us know who they were.  They made such a great first impression that I put them on the list for the next year’s festival right there on the spot.”

This encounter has led to several wildly popular collaboration beer releases between Baa Baa and Beer Zombies over the years. 

Baa Baa Brewhouse looks to continue on its tradition of stellar, high-quality beer, and is grateful for all of the continued support from the beer community in what have become very difficult times for craft beer, not only in Houston but all over. With an expanding craft beer presence in the Brookshire/ Katy/ Fulshear area, I asked Marcus what his outlook for the future was and he explained, “We’ve seen some really positive growth out here. I don’t know about the rest of the industry, but out here we are seeing some good things happen. Our typical Saturday is better than it was six months ago, and better than it was twelve months ago.” 

 Visit Baa Baa Brewhouse at 539 FM 359 Rd S #7, Brookshire 77423. They are open every Saturday from noon to 5:30pm.

Visit Baa Baa online at @baabaabrewhouse on Instagram and by web at www.baabaabrewhouse.com 

All photos by and used with permission of Sophia Von Panda (@sophia_von_panda)IG

Candy Baa photo by and used with permission of Darius Gilmore (@mrgilmorespours) IG

The post Brookshire’s Best Kept Secret: Baa Baa Brewhouse first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Brookshire’s Best Kept Secret: Baa Baa Brewhouse appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

This August, Space Center Houston, the commercial visitor center adjacent to Johnson Space Center, teamed up with Bad Astronaut Brewery to host an event centered around a panel of NASA guest speakers, engineer Chris Matty, and seasoned Shuttle Astronaut Dr. Anna Fischer, sharing their stories of space ventures and answering questions from an audience of all ages. 

The event kicked off with a presentation of current NASA activities and initiatives, instantly sparking wonder with awe-inspiring views of Low Earth Orbit and the international space station. The room was filled with the importance of human space flight, as the beauty of stellar imagery captivated the audience faster than a beer funnel in a black hole. 

Of course, the challenges of space exploration are not only limited to human capabilities. Many of NASA’s efforts include robotic exploration of space, sending probes and terrain-based rovers to collect information to inform future human activities in the extremely inhospitable environments of space. The latest effort to return to the Moon and the lunar surface is encompassed by NASA’s Artemis Program, a monumental undertaking that aims to land the first woman and person of color on the moon to establish a permanent presence on our closest celestial neighbor. The pride of what was occurring right next door was more palpable than the cold brews experienced on this swelteringly hot day. 

The importance of large teams working towards a joint mission rightfully parallels the craft brew community in Houston. Most importantly, the Houston craft scene celebrates achievements as a whole city—as Space City. The commonality of successful brewing and accomplishing vital missions includes pushing boundaries, bridging new partnerships, and celebrating those who came before us.

As the SPACE NEWS and BREWS event ended, the interest in the room was at its peak. Once it ended, the NASA panel signed autographs and took pictures with all the families in attendance. Clearly, the fascination with space flight, combined with the love of craft beer, was a winning combination for Space City and its reputation. The Space Center Houston plans to expand more space events in the brewery scene and continue inspiring generations of technologists and explorers to advance humankind.

Houston Beer Guide will keep you tapped into the latest Space News and Brews events. Stay tuned in to lift off with us again soon!

Visit Space Center Houston online at https://spacecenter.org/.

The post Space News and Brews: Houston’s Craft Beer Scene Reaches for the Stars with NASA Collaboration first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Space News and Brews: Houston’s Craft Beer Scene Reaches for the Stars with NASA Collaboration appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

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.