H-TOWN BEER GUIDE FOR BREWERY BUFFS
Cocktails are fun, but beer is another excellent way to get the party hoppin’.
Houston has no shortage of breweries that offer delicious beers, fun events, great atmospheres, and experiences that are one-of-a-kind. Check out our selection of some of Bayou City’s top tap rooms to taste homegrown brews.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company is Texas' oldest craft brewery and one of the best-known and most-respected local labels.
The Beer: Saint Arnold brews eleven year-round beers. The selection includes hazy IPAs, ales, lagers, and more. The brewery also offers six seasonal beers (brewed once a year) and two ciders.
The Vibe: The brewery offers indoor and outdoor seating and free parking. The outdoor space features a stunning view of Downtown Houston, TVs tuned into sporting events, and the spacious lawn has plenty of seating for groups large and small. Indoor seating includes bar seating, semi-private tables in uniquely painted enclaves, and beer hall seating. Commemorate your trip by purchasing some Saint Arnold’s merch on your way out!
The Food: A large selection of food is available, and guests are invited to hunker down at the long German beerhouse-style picnic tables. With a wide variety of shareables, the food menu packs a mean punch with plenty of options for everyone in the group to leave satisfied. Categories include surf and/or turf, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and desserts. Come hungry and find that perfect meal to pair with your beers of choice.
Keep up with all events at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. HERE.
Karbach Brewing Co. was founded in 2011 and is known for their inventive, intense beer flavors and humorous names, as well as for donating their beer to numerous artistic, musical and charity events in the area. The Houston staple is “crafted for fun” and the perfect place to escape for day drinking with your crew!
The Beer: Karbach brews fourteen beers regularly. They also offer three seasonal beers, several flavors of their Ranch Water Hard Seltzers, and cocktails in a can with flavors including margarita and paloma. Sip like Houstonians on classics such as Love Street, Hopadillo, Clutch City, and more!
The Vibe: The biergarten is a spacious oasis for enjoying fresh air and delicious brews. The brewery hosts a number of events in the outdoor space, such as Karbachtoberfest, but even when it’s not as bustling with action, it’s a great space to retreat for outdoor sipping. The indoor space/restaurant offers great seating options, at tables and the bar, that spill out into the outdoor patio space. Whether you’re seeking cozy vibes, outdoor enjoyment, or rowdy events, Karbach has something for everyone!
The Food: Karbach's restaurant has a traditional menu, sit-down format. They offer bar food in addition to an extensive lunch and dinner menu. Food options include fish & chips, Clutch City Queso (made with Hella Hot Sauce), smash burgers, pizzas, and a small kids’ menu as well. Guests are also permitted to bring their own food into the outside Biergarten, which has numerous long picnic tables perfect for group gatherings. Beer by the glass can be purchased at the outside tap.
Smack-dab in the center of Houston, 8th Wonder Brewery celebrates its namesake, the Houston Astrodome, with the dome-like design of its building. With a spacious outdoor beer garden, 8th Wonder is host to concerts, events, and EaDo dwellers seeking choice brews in an iconic city landmark.
The Beer: 8th Wonder offers nine year-round brews all labeled with a Houston bent, like the Dome Foam, a throwback cream ale. They also rotate out temporary, limited edition brews. Having recently redesigned the core four beers at the brewery, including Dome Foam, Cougar Paw, TEX and IP8, the brand continues to innovate and there’s always something to look forward to at 8th Wonder.
The Vibe: 8th Wonder is homebase for tourists and locals alike who enjoy the finer beers in life. The taproom is decked out with Houston memorabilia from yesteryear with a long bar that keeps lines moving and pint glasses full. The brewery also offers an outside patio where attendees can drink and hang out. The backyard at 8th Wonder is home to artist David Adickes’ massive statues of The Beatles, along with plenty of tables and yard space for groups and family gatherings. The brewery is host to events such as vintage clothing fairs, concerts, and more, so keep an eye on their website and social media channels to keep up with the latest.
The Food: 8th Wonder does not have a kitchen of its own, but there are often food trucks on-site or nearby if your stomach starts talking. Situated within walking distance of several restaurants, including Vinny’s, Rodeo Goat, and more, 8th Wonder is the perfect place to grab a pint before seeking a late-night bite.
It doesn’t get more all-encompassing than Eureka Heights Brew Co. when it comes to delicious brews, weekly events, and inclusive vibes that make any and all feel welcome in the space. The Heights brewery offers great vibes and spacious options to enjoy a day or evening with friends and family while also testing your luck at Drag Bingo or weekly trivia!
The Beer: Eureka Heights Brew Co. offers 8 year-round brews that keep fans coming back for more. Buckle Bunny, Mini Boss, and Wow Factor are just three of the iconic brews that are always on tap at Eureka Heights. Seasonal brews include the Pride-themed Lavender Bunny cream ale, Tinsel Trousers golden ale, and more!
The Vibe: This laid back spot offers the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor seating options for groups big and small. The long picnic table seating in the taproom is offered in three different areas in this converted warehouse. The large garage doors are typically open during hours of operation, offering fresh air for indoor guests and views of the outdoor space as well. Speaking of outdoor space, the loading dock area in front of the brewery features bike racks and picnic tables (complete with umbrellas) as another seating option. This choice proves popular for guests who are not looking to participate in the evening’s events, as it is much quieter and less hustle and bustle. The brewery hosts weekly drag bingo, trivia, run clubs, bike clubs, special events and more—there’s always something happening at Eureka Heights, so stop in to see what they’ve got going on!
The Food: While they don’t have a kitchen on site, the brewery is known to offer delicious bites courtesy of the rotating food truck vendors throughout the week. Check the brewery’s social media or give them a call to see what’s on the menu before you head over!
Urban South Brewery
If you want to sample some unique brews in a modern space, you’ll want to add Urban South Brewery to your list of places to try out! Located in Houston's Sawyer Yards, the brewery produces creative, Houston-specific experimental beers while hosting craft beer parties galore.
The Beer: With ten original brews on tap year-round, Urban South Brewery pays homage to H-Town with their beer names and unique taste profiles. Stop in to try the Lime Cucumber Gose, Juvie Juice hard iced tea, HTX IPA, or one of their other aptly named brews. Their Paradise Park collection of hard seltzers offer beer alternatives to those looking for a different kind of turn up. Finally, the brewery offers four seasonal releases including a West Coast IPA and amber lager, among others.
The Vibe: The space is located near the Washington Corridor in the Houston Heights and is a perfect spot for people looking to sip casually indoors. The retro vibes of the space are eye-catching without being kitschy. The beachy vibes are the perfect accompaniment to their uniquely flavored beverages. The queer-friendly spot is known to deck out their space throughout the month of June, as well as hosting fundraisers for local organizations. Be sure to check out their merch and plants for sale, and make note of the different events they have throughout the week as well!
The Food: Urban South Brewery does not offer food, but hosts food trucks in the parking lot out front throughout the week and is located within walking distance of a cidery with a restaurant and a BBQ joint as well.
When choosing which brewery to hit up next, stopping in at the queer-owned Frost Town Brewing in a no-brainer. Situated in Downtown Houston, the gorgeous space offers indoor and outdoor space, fun events throughout the week that raise money for worthy causes, movie nights, special events, and more!
The Beer: The brewery creates their beers with the influence of Houstonians past and present top of mind. The taproom has a rotating selection, so they encourage guests to stop by often to check out what’s on tap. Frost Town is home to the Back in Black (IPA Black), Frost Bier (Kölsch), Southern Style (Pilsner), and several more delicious brews.
The Vibe: When you walk into the beer garden, you almost forget that you are in Downtown Houston! The green outdoor sitting and play space is a picturesque oasis in the otherwise industrial part of the city. The indoor seating area is just as inviting, with two stories of seating for groups large and small. Some TVs adorn the walls for sporting event viewing, but screens aren’t the primary focus of the brewery. The communal nature of the space is the perfect option for catching up with friends, enjoying a game night hosted by the brewery, or going on a first date. The staff is friendly, the brews are delicious, and is quickly becoming one of Houston’s best breweries.
The Food: Frost Town does not offer food of their own, but they do offer food via food truck vendors throughout the week and often host events that include food vendors, so keep an eye out for their special events throughout the year.
Bad Astronaut Brewing Company’s website explains that the brewery “was founded with only one goal in mind: brew badass beers and have a damn good time.” Their mission is to create an atmosphere where friends can make memories, drink stellar beer, and have a hell of a good time. Stop in for a delicious pint and plenty of space to enjoy good company!
The Beer: The taproom boasts 10 year-round beers on tap. Brews include the Fire Net lager, Monster Beast Theatre brown ale, Cloud Punch German pilsner, and much more. In addition to their own unique beer offerings, the brewery provides a curated guest tap list, wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic options for guests to enjoy.
The Vibe: The out-of-this-world brewery occupies 36,000 sq. ft. of brewery and taproom located north of Downtown Houston. Its massive indoor space offers plenty of room for large parties and intimate gatherings. The taproom features arcade basketball games and skee-ball tables for kids and kids at heart. The massive garage doors are open on days when the weather is nice and the wall art provides Instagram-worthy backdrops for group photos. Between the amazing beer selection and the truly gigantic indoor space, this brewery is one you have to see (and sample) to believe.
The Food: The brewery teamed up with Ghosthand Pasta kitchen to create a menu filled with savory and sweet bites to pair perfectly with your beer of choice. In addition to their variety of pizza options, the food menu offers Pizza Nuts (pecans and dehydrated pepperoni's seasoned with our own spices and guanciale oil, with a pinch of parmesan) as well as a pumpkin and New York cheesecake for dessert.
Photos: Courtesy of breweries presented in this guide.
