Craft Breweries in the Houston Area

One of the great things about living in Houston is the abundance of good food.  However, not everyone is aware of the abundance of good craft beer brewed right here in the Houston area.  I am working on correcting this oversight in this post.  So, in one nice spot, here is some information on five of our great local craft breweries, their locations and information about their tours. Usually you get a souvenir glass or two when you go on these tours--a lovely collector's item in fact.  Many of the breweries will allow you to bring your kids and/or pets, and very often some of our great local food trucks will set up shop by the breweries so you have great food and great beer together!

Now, pull up a chair, pour a cold pint and read all about these wonderful breweries!

Saint Arnold

Billed as Texas' oldest craft brewery, Saint Arnold sits in an old warehouse district off of US 59 and Lyons, just north of downtown Houston.  They have been running tours and tastings for many years and have a tasting hall that reminds you of a large tavern or perhaps Medieval Times restaurant, sans jousting tournaments.

Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 3 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM. Admission is $7/person, and includes the tour & souvenir glass Taps open 3PM to 4:15PM with the single tour at 3:30PM.

On Saturday, they will admit guests between 11:00AM and 2:00PM, with tours at Noon, 1PM, and 2PM. Please note: Saturday tours can be large, and our official capacity is limited. Sometimes they will have lines to rotate people through all day, so as many people can visit as possible .The parking lot at the northwest corner of the brewery as well as street parking. No reservations are necessary!

Guests are welcome to bring snacks or a lunch and remember to bring your six-pack carriers to be recycled! Children are welcome at the brewery but all minors under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All guests over age 15 are $7.

Saint Arnold has special brews that make fleeting appearances in Texas--like the Divine Reserve #12 I was fortunate to get recently, or the Pumpkinator that shows up around mid-October each year.  There was a mad dash to get the DR 12 this year, and I expect another mad dash for Pumpkinator in October.  

A couple of guidelines on visits--especially if you come on the Saturday tours:

The wait to get into Saint Arnold's Beer Hall is WELL WORTH IT!

1.  Be sure to bring your own food and possibly some folding chairs.  There hasn't been any food trucks there when I've come to visit and the Saturday tour gets VERY FULL.  Also I'll add that the Beer Hall fills up quickly on Saturdays and having your own chair is very helpful.

2.  Be sure to come early and BE VERY PATIENT.  When we came to visit on this August Saturday the line was doing the block and it took us nearly 30 minutes to get into the beer hall  on the second floor.  I was joking around it was like a mass pilgrimage to a shrine in Italy or Eastern Europe.

3.  Be aware that you will only get 4 tokens for beer tastes and that is it.  Even if you bring another pint glass or mug, there are limits on how much beer they will give you.  Endeavour Double IPA costs 2 tokens, while all the others usually cost just one.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company is located at:
2000 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
713.686.9494
800.801.6402

Karbach Brewery

A more recent entrant to the craft beer market, Karbach sits in Spring Branch not too far away from Northwest Mall.  They have 4 main brews the offer, that include 2 IPAs, a Wheat Beer and a Lager.  I have yet to try their seasonal Hellfire Imperial Porter--it is on my list now!!! They have tours on Fridays from 5PM-7PM (Tour at 6), Saturdays from Noon-3PM (Tours at 1PM and 2:15PM) I went there and had their Rodeo Clown IPA--VERY HOPPY, if you like a Hoppy IPA.  You will receive 4 tokens when you come for the tour and a taster glass.  All beers are 1 token, except the Rodeo Clown, which is 2 (more alcohol content)

Karbach Brewing in the Warehouse District 

Pi Pizza Truck was selling delicious pies the day that Jason and I visited Karbach.  Word from some of the other Hop-heads is that there is a rotation of food trucks that come.  I'd still advise bringing your own folding chairs.  The folks there are friendly and it's nice to get their beer fresh from the taps/aging barrels.

The tour costs $7.00 and gets you a mini-pint tasting glass.  You can pay extra and buy a pint glass, however.

Karbach Brewing company is located at:

2032 Karbach Street
Houston, TX 77092
713.680.BREW (2739)

No Label Brewing Co. 

Live Music at No Label

Based in Katy, over by the railroad tracks near the old grain elevator, No Label has scratched a name for itself with painted bottles, lots of kegs and creative beer names. Tastings are held 1pm-3pm at No Label every Saturday--but be forewarned: admission table is closed at 2:30pm Admission is $5 for 21 and up. We recommend bringing cash. Under 21 are free but must be accompanied by a parent. No outside alcohol is allowed at No Label. However, they are dog and kid friendly.

Tasters of great beer!!!

I will also add that there are frequently local food trucks and live bands performing or they have a stereo set up with classic rock playing real loudly.  Folks bring folding chairs and portable gazebo/awnings it it takes on a small festival in the park type atmosphere.  The tour and tasting tokens is $5.00, which includes a 6 oz tasting glass and four tokens.  You can buy a pint glass for about $7.00, along with other Merchandise.  

No Label Brewing Co.
5373 1st Street
Katy, TX 77493
281-693-7545

Buffalo Bayou Brewing

Buffalo Bayou Brewing is another recent entrant into the rapidly expanding craft beer market, I've had the pleasure of trying their Chai Porter at the Flying Saucer in Sugar Land.  They have tours and tastings every Saturday from Noon to 3 PM.  Thus far these events have been less populated than the others we have been to.  However, I don't think that will be the case for much longer.  On this particular day, they had 4 different versions of 1836, aged in standard tanks, and different kinds of wood barrels.  They had Oak, Pine, Ash and Mesquite this time.  I've heard from folks at Guru Burger how wonderful the Maple Aged 1836 is, but have not had a chance to try it yet.

They have several picnic tables set up in the warehouse/tasting room/beer hall, along with various board games and cards to play.  Jason and I played Scrabble while I tasted the versions of 1836, plus their wonderful wheat beer known as Wit the Eff?!?!?!  The tour costs $7.00 and gets you a Belgian Style beer snifter and four tokens, which will be filled with tasting sized portions (about half full) of their beers.  

Buffalo Bayou Brewing in the Heights near Washington Ave. 

Buffalo Bayou Brewing is located at:

5301 Nolda Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 750-9795

Southern Star Brewing

Southern Star brewery in Conroe is known for only doing kegs and cans, but has gotten a decent following at various craft beer pubs in the greater Houston area.   They hold tours every Saturday at 1pm (unless stated otherwise). The tours are FREE however there are T-shirts and mugs for sale, along with food for sale by The Outlaw Kookers catering.  They have bratwurst boiled in Southern Star Beer and finished on their grill.  They have special mustard made with Southern Star beer as well.  It was mighty good food and very good beer!

My older sister Sarah and I went on a Saturday Afternoon--it was literally around the corner from our Mom's House.  The tour and tasting portions in plastic cups are free (they will only give you four tokens), but we bought pint glasses for $7.00.  Like the other craft breweries, I advise bringing folding chairs as many of the seats  are full during the tasting and tours on Saturday.  They also have live music, like at No Label Brewing Company.   The atmosphere is like a festival or tailgating before a football game, or even a Frat Party in a Warehouse!  A lot of fun,  but be sure to come early.  

Southern Star Brewing Co.  is located at:
1207 N. FM 3083 E.
Conroe, Texas 77303
(936).441-2739

A Few Final Taps

Craft Beer is one of the fastest growing industries in North America.  Many of these small businesses are starting and selling via Social Media, Word of Mouth and finding pubs/restaurants to partner with in order to develop a following for their product.  Much of it is very good--full of taste, somewhat  more alcohol, and much more complex in its flavour profile than most mass-market beer.  Many craft breweries end up partnering with mass market breweries as investors to help broaden their distribution and help them develop a larger market for their product.  Right now, this industry has gone into areas it was never seen before--pairings with high end food, becoming a choice of high end and local restaurants over the mass market beers, and turning what were once hobbyists into businessmen.  Houston is fortunate to have five great local craft breweries, and I can only see there being more opening up as time rolls forwards.

There's a 6th one that is about reading for tastings called Fort Bend Brewing in Missouri City.  I'll be paying them a visit and adding them to this posting once I do.  According to their website, they'll start offering tours and tastings come October.

So, on a Saturday afternoon, if you're a little bored and want to learn more about the brewing process, pack up the family and a picnic lunch or some pizza and visit these hubs of brewing excellence.

And remember to Drink Happy, Y'all!!!
Over the lips, past the gums, look out tummy, here it comes!!!
早安，你们!!!
Slainte!!!