Where else in the Houston area can you get 4 pints of beer
for $5, $6, $7 or $12 ... ??? Outside of the Flying Saucer (Downtown and in
Sugar Land) on Sundays ($3 Texas pints) or Whole Foods-Sugar Land on Tuesday
evenings ($2 pints), touring an area craft brewery is the best quality beer
deal in town. There are six craft breweries (and one mega brewery) in the
Harris, Montgomery, and Fort Bend county area at this time. Here's some ins and
outs on taking a brewery tour at the four currently offering regular tours and
learning more about "better beer."
First, some basics for ALL these Houston area brewery tours
(and these might/will be different than brewery visits in California, Colorado,
Oregon, Florida, or any other states) ...
Please bring some form of photo ID (drivers license,
passport, CCW permit, military ID). They all ID all their guests and it really
doesn't matter "how old do I look?" While age verification is NOT
required by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), state law does
prohibit the selling of beer to minors and provides for penalties for both
buyer and seller. Each place sets their own rules. Be nice and have your ID
handy. Besides, if you're over 50 you'll remember the last time you were
"carded."
Kids are welcome at all the places. If you're under 21 you
may enter only with a parent, adult guardian, or spouse. If you're "just
friends" you will be denied entry. Texas law says you may give your
child/guardian/spouse a beer but they must stay within "direct sight."
Follow the rules.
You get FOUR (4) samples of beer (in the form of chips). You
CAN'T "buy" more chips. The "four sample" rule is a suggested
brewery control item to make sure you're sober when you leave.
If you buy a pint glass you'll get a "better
sample." Don't expect a full pint, or a full glass if you're at a brewery
that sells one of the larger steins. Again, Texas laws. However, if you're nice
to your server (saying please and thank-you goes a long way), and if they see
you tipping, chances are you'll get a "really good" pour.
Please don't ask your server for more beer if you're out of chips.
They could get in trouble as could the brewery.
If you bring your brewery glass back, you get in for the
basic tour rate. Make sure it's the pint glass for THAT brewery, though! Some
folks keep their pints in their vehicle in case they just happen to be "in
the area."
Times posted are the hours the taps are open and pouring
beer. All breweries close entry a half-hour before the listed end time. You can
arrive anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour before the taps open. You should
plan on leaving all places a half-hour after the posted time. The volunteers are
cleaning up and they usually hang around and enjoy a post-event beer (or two).
It's their form of "payment."
You're welcome (often encouraged) to bring chairs.
There may be long lines/waits at food trucks. You can bring
all kinds of food with you as breweries in Texas are NOT allowed to sell food.
You may NOT bring any other alcohol (wine or margaritas)
just because a member of your party "doesn't like beer."
Unlike visiting a winery in Texas, you can NOT buy any beer
at the brewery. It's another Texas law. If you don't like this law and think
craft breweries should be treated the same as wineries in Texas, you can help
lobby the state legislature when they start meeting in January 2013.
Beer cannot leave the brewery except in your stomach. They
all have "beer police" to make sure your glass is empty.
Tours vary - some are more formal than others. You do NOT
have to "take a tour" to drink beer. All breweries will announce when
they are offering tours. This is a good time to go to the bar as a large number
of visitors will go on the tour and the lines will be short. When you go on a
tour, make sure you have a full glass of beer - it makes it more enjoyable.
Remember - all the people "working" at the tours
are volunteers. They are giving up their time from other things because they
like craft beer. Some people give up more time than others. Some people
volunteer at two (or three) of the breweries (yes, the other breweries know
they do this). The volunteers are there to educate you and answer any
questions. Tipping is allowed at some of the locations but never required.
Saint Arnold Brewing, 2000 Lyons Avenue, Houston, TX 77020
http://www.saintarnold.com
Tastings are 3 - 5pm Monday through Friday and 11am - 3pm
every Saturday
Admission is $7 for four samples.
Glasses start at $5 for a basic pint and go upwards of $25
for ceramic pints with lids (and more). They sell all kinds of t-shirts,
koozies and brewery items.
They usually sell pretzels on Saturday.
NOTES:
Things get crowded - up to 1,200 people on Saturdays. The
line forms starting at 10:00am. St. Arnold has the most tables and seating but
people still bring chairs and blankets. If you don't get there early and don't
bring folding chairs, you will probably be standing. Sometimes the entry line
is halted when capacity is reached. It's air conditioned. Mon - Fri tours have
about 30 people through the school year, 50 to 100 in the summer. They are
Texas' oldest craft brewery. No, Shiner doesn't count. No, Saint Arnold wasn't
first, but they've outlasted a few others. The make and serve GREAT root beer -
it's FREE to all! The smoking area is down the stairs (or elevator) and out the
front door. Just make sure your hand is stamped. No, you can NOT take your beer
with you to the smoking area. You can trade in your sample glass for a $1
credit at the merchandise counter.
No Label Brewing, 5373 1st Street, Katy, TX 77493
http://www.nolabelbrew.com
Tastings are held 1pm - 3pm at the brewery every Saturday.
Admission is $5. You get four samples.
Pint glasses are $5. They sell t-shirts, koozies, hoodies,
and other bling.
There's usually a food truck on hand.
NOTES:
It's outdoors so check their web site, Facebook or Twitter
to see if rain or wet grounds has closed them. Expect 200 to 300 people there,
depending upon the weather and area events. They also close for special events
like the Katy or Houston Beer festivals. Bring your own chairs and shade. You
can smoke any place but in the brewing area (be considerate). They are dog and
kid friendly.
Karbach Brewing, 2032 Karbach Street, Houston, TX 77092
http://www.karbachbrewing.com
Tours are 5 - 7pm every Friday and 12 - 3pm every Saturday.
Tours are $7. If you buy a pint glass it's an extra $5. Add
a T-shirt for a $25 entry. Bring a canned good for the Houston Food Bank and
get $1 off your admission.
They offer four samples. Often, one sample may be a
"blue" chip, which is one sample (8 to 16 ounces, depending upon the
brew and/or your glass size) of a special brew. You can get a second sample of
a special brew with two red chips.
There's usually a food truck on hand.
NOTES:
It's indoors and outdoors so dress accordingly. It's not air
conditioned but there's fans. The smoking area is out the back. They are dog
friendly. The have a variety of t-shirts and now sell caps. Be careful where
you park - if in doubt, ask at the front. Their tours usually have about 200
people, which is large for a Friday evening get together. It gets a bigger on
Saturdays but it's an hour longer.
Southern Star Brewing, 1207 N. FM 3083 E., Conroe, TX 77303
http://www.southernstarbrewing.com
Tastings are held 1pm - 3pm at the brewery every Saturday.
Admission is free. You get four samples.
Buy a pint glass for $5. They have t-shirts and other items,
too.
There's always someone selling food and usually a live band.
NOTES:
It's indoors and outdoors so dress accordingly. It's not air
conditioned but there's fans. Get there early as tours run 400 to 500 people.
The smoking area is out the back.
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