Here I Am in Texas...

[BikeNBrew]

Hello all- I find myself just south of Houston a ways in the little town of Jones Creek, visiting my inlaws this week. Just outside of Lake Jackson. Good beer is pretty scarce here, though the groceries stock a few locals. St. Arnold and Shiner are available- picked up a St. Arnold Wheat last night, nice but kind of thin. Any suggestions of stores, restaurants, pubs we should try? - Thanks

[Wilson]

If you've got time, go visit the St. Arnolds Brewery on Saturday, check their website for times. Very fun time! Its on the north side of Houston, so it may be a trek for ya. Be on the look out for anything from Real Ale Brewing Company, stellar beers.

[HogieWan]

It looks like I'm headed to Houston for at least 1, maybe 2, three day training sessions. I should have plenty of time for beer exploration, so I'd appreciate all suggestions presented here as well.

[skahtboi]

There are some Two Rows in Houston, I know, though I cannot immediately say where. They are a chain that brews their own beer, nothing earth shattering, though very drinkable. There are also a Ginger Man's and a Flying Saucer there as well. Its been a while since I have been down there. Houston is a city I try to avoid at all costs. The Strand Brewery and Grill is in Galveston, if it is still open. Might want to check a phone directory before making the trek out there, though any trip to "the island" is a welcome change to Houston.

[Seymour]

The Strand is still open?? That's great news! Last time I was down there, I couldn't find a number or address in the local phone book, so I feared they had gone Tango Utah. We're looking at a late summer beach trip, so it'll be nice to know I can duck into The Strand for a glass of real beer.

[HogieWan]

brewpubs are good to visit, but good beer bars are a welcome suggestion as well since H-Town will have much more selection than all of LA combined.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by Seymour
The Strand is still open?? That's great news! Last time I was down there, I couldn't find a number or address in the local phone book, so I feared they had gone Tango Utah. We're looking at a late summer beach trip, so it'll be nice to know I can duck into The Strand for a glass of real beer.

As I said, it has been a while since I have been there. I have heard rumors that it has closed, so I am not sure whether it is open or not.

[Malt O Meal]

There is definitely a Flying Saucer downtown that has a large selection of US beers as well as imports. Had an Orval there just the other day before heading over to the Astros-Cards game.

There is also a Ginger Man over in West U that has very high quality bottle and tap selection.

There's another place on Hwy 6 just north of Westheimer, whose name escapes me at the moment.

There is a good British Pub called Mucky Duck over off Kirby, between I-59 and Richmond.

Do a search via Google or look for more on Houston Citysearch.

As for grocers, get this. The Texas Chain HEB has stores all over Houston area. Just recently, I went in the one close to me and had to do a doubletake as they now carry Anchor Steam, Anchor Liberty Ale, Abita Turbo Dog, Duvel, Chimay Grand Reserve, Marodsous (sp), Sierra Nevada Stout (not just Pale Ale), Bridgeport Black Strap Stout, three or four by Full Sail brewery and are carrying Real Ale to such an extent that Real had to expand their facilities. They already carried three of Spaten. Needless to say, I was impressed!

I talked to the guy in charge of the beer & wine section and he said he was going to bring in even more since we are in an area that drinks more specialized beers. Now that we are getting to be on familiar terms, I'm gonna try and get him to bring in a few by Victory Brewing and maybe some from Deschutes Brewery.

Yes, things are looking up in H-town for the beer snobs. :-)

[hmpitags2006]

I live in Galveston, and there are no breweries here. That one shut down and was bought out by fuddruckers :( and the winery is rubbish. Shiner just released it's 98 and it is really good. The saint arnolds tour is at 1pm on saturdays. You just missed a pub crawl they did. They also have a lot of good beers, the summer pils, elissa ipa, amber, and lawnmower are my favorites.

[BrewDog]

Just wanted to say welcome to the site, Malt O Meal. Great name, too :)

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by Malt O Meal
There is definitely a Flying Saucer downtown that has a large selection of US beers as well as imports. Had an Orval there just the other day before heading over to the Astros-Cards game.

There is also a Ginger Man over in West U that has very high quality bottle and tap selection.

There's another place on Hwy 6 just north of Westheimer, whose name escapes me at the moment.

There is a good British Pub called Mucky Duck over off Kirby, between I-59 and Richmond.

Do a search via Google or look for more on Houston Citysearch.

As for grocers, get this. The Texas Chain HEB has stores all over Houston area. Just recently, I went in the one close to me and had to do a doubletake as they now carry Anchor Steam, Anchor Liberty Ale, Abita Turbo Dog, Duvel, Chimay Grand Reserve, Marodsous (sp), Sierra Nevada Stout (not just Pale Ale), Bridgeport Black Strap Stout, three or four by Full Sail brewery and are carrying Real Ale to such an extent that Real had to expand their facilities. They already carried three of Spaten. Needless to say, I was impressed!

I talked to the guy in charge of the beer & wine section and he said he was going to bring in even more since we are in an area that drinks more specialized beers. Now that we are getting to be on familiar terms, I'm gonna try and get him to bring in a few by Victory Brewing and maybe some from Deschutes Brewery.

Yes, things are looking up in H-town for the beer snobs. :-)

HEB's have been really good about carrying a decent beer selection for many years now. I am starting to see better beers appearing at other grocers as a result.

[corkybstewart]

Not all HEB's are created equal. The one in Midland Texas has a huge wine and beer department with a pretty good variety of craft and import beers. 20 miles away in Odessa the store doesn't have squat for beer and wine.

[BikeNBrew]

Thanks for all the responses. I was only in town for a little while, and had no one to drink (beer) with among my inlaws. Most of my time was spent in Jones Creek, near Lake Jackson. The grocers I went to had little of interest, HEB is pretty good for beer, as per typical, but I was looking for local. Found several Shiners and three St. Arnolds. Their Lawnmower beer didn't sound promising, so I opted for the Amber, which I liked a lot. Went looking for the Strand in Galveston, but was informed that they went under. Food not as good as the beer, according to the Chamber of Commerce guy. Ended up having a Sam Adams at Gaidos for lunch. Good old Sam...always there in a pinch. Nice time and I am sure I will be back. Lordy it is hot down there!

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by BikeNBrew
Lordy it is hot down there!

And it isn't even summer yet!!! :D

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by BikeNBrew
Lordy it is hot down there!

LOL!

[untothee]

Too little too late. But for future visits.
Black Lab Pub. On Montrose near Richmond.