Beer, TX

Sam Adams Utopias: The world's strongest beer

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:23:03 -0600

Some days, the most interesting things come across your desk. Like this: It's a bottle of the just-released, limited-edition Utopias from Samuel Adams. The first thing you notice after removing it from its box is the ceramic, brew kettle-shaped decanter...

The beer angle on the basketball bat story

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:59:30 -0600

I don't follow basketball closely, especially before the World Series is over, so I missed the story this weekend about the San Antonio player swatting the bat that had been flying around during the Spurs' game with Sacramento on Halloween...

Single malts, Coffee Porter and Renaissance beer

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:48:08 -0600

Beer, TX reader Wes Sutherland brings to our attention the single-malt Scotch tasting tonight at the downtown Spec's, showing again that beer drinkers have broad interests. The free tasting will be held on the second floor of the store at...

Saint Arnold's Saturday tour is canceled

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:52:03 -0600

The inaugural public tour of the new Saint Arnold Brewing Co. plant has been canceled for Saturday due to confusion over city permits. Brewery owner Brock Wagner said he was informed earlier today that the new plant at 2000 Lyons...

Pike, Real Ale pouring beers in Houston

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:05:10 -0600

I was lucky enough on Wednesday to have lunch with Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, who founded The Pike Brewing Co. 20 years ago in Seattle. THE PIKE BREWING CO. We met at the Flying Saucer at the invitation of...

Saint Arnold cuts the ribbon on new brewery

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:48:22 -0600

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. is front-page news in Houston today, as it debuts a brand-new brewery in a renovated warehouse near downtown. (You can read my story here, but the print version has some interesting photographs that you would enjoy,...

What do women want ... from beer?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:31:34 -0600

Ginger Johnson is determined to answer just that question. Through her consulting endeavor, Women Enjoying Beer, Johnson is studying "how companies can better market to female beer drinkers." Much of her research involves chatting with beer fans -- particularly those...

We brake for Scotch

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:05:21 -0600

Sounds like the Oktoberfest party at Block 7 Wine Co. was the place to be for good beer in Houston last night. Charles Kirkwood, Block 7's beer buyer, reports he was pouring Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse while talking beer with brewer Vince...

Beer triple-header starts tonight

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:25:56 -0600

In Munich, the Oktoberfest tents have been put away. But in Houston, the fall beer-drinking season is just getting started. Here's a sampling of what's on tap the next couple of days: Block 7 Wine Co., the wine bar with...

Dixie Cup XXVI recap -- with photos

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:49 -0600

Congratulations to the winners of this weekend's Dixie Cup, Texas' oldest homebrewing competition. The contest was open to anyone with a homemade beer they wanted critiqued by experts, but local brewers took home the biggest prizes. They include: Rob...

The story of beer, told in a tattoo

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:33:23 -0600

Scott Metzger, founder and CEO of San Antonio's Freetail Brewing Co., was in Houston Saturday as part of the 26th annual Dixie Cup homebrewing event, where he discussed the three-year process of getting his brewing equipment in and his pub/pizzeria...

Bud Light Golden Wheat sponsors SNL

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:24:27 -0600

Commenter Wayne asked the other day, " ... has anyone tried BL Golden Wheat? And is this the beginning of the big breweries trying to elbow in to the craft beer market?" The answer to the latter question is no....

Dixie Cup homebrew contest kicks off Thursday

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:10:05 -0600

Texas' oldest homebrewing competition is at hand, with judges in the process of winnowing some 840 entries. The 26th annual Dixie Cup begins with a welcoming reception Thursday night, followed by two days of fun and educational events at the...

America's best beer cities

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:05:51 -0600

My friend and Hearst Corp. colleague Monica Guzman blogged yesterday about hurt feelings in Seattle after her city was overlooked by Men's Journal for a list of the nation's five best beer towns: 1. San Diego 2. New York City...

ACL hits a sour note with its beer lineup

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:07:24 -0600

AUSTIN -- In every respect but one, the organizers of the Austin City Limits Festival do a terrific job showing off the capital city. They sign bands of such scope and caliber -- dozens of acts, from established superstars to...