Houston Beer Week: October 11-17
My appetite for craft beer was whetted several weeks ago, after I attended a “Beer 101: Beer Basics” class at Anvil Bar & Refuge, so when the press release for the first annual Houston Beer Week hit my inbox I was thrilled. What could be better than a week-long celebration of craft beer, combined with food from some of Houston’s finest chefs, and all organized to benefit a variety of local charities? Eat, drink, and do good? I’m in!
The event promises to deliver “cask-conditioned newcomers, hard-to-score beers” as well as know-how from some of “the best beer nerds in the city”. In addition to beer tastings and classes there will also be dinners and gatherings at locations all over the city of Houston. Houston Beer Week is a must for craft beer lovers, but for those of you who are looking for a crash course in small-batch brews this is the perfect way to dive in and learn from those in-the-know.
If you are thirsting for the opportunity to sample small-batch, independently-produced beers, Houston Beer Week is it. In addition to local and regional brews, some of the world’s biggest craft beer names will be participating in this kick-off event – Victory, Brooklyn, and Brew Dog Brewery, to name just a few.
Sunday October 10
- Kick-off Party and A Homebrewer’s Tutorial at The Usual Pub, 5519 Allen St. (map) at 4 PM.
Monday October 11
- Featured Beer Dinner: Beaver’s Ice House and The Petrol Station *SOLD OUT*
- Connoisseur Tasting at The Ginger Man Pub, 5607 Morningside Dr. (map) at 7:30 PM; $11.25 per person.
Like wine, beer can be aged - or "matured" - in barrrels.
Like wine, beer can be aged - or "matured" - in barrrels.
Tuesday October 12
- Featured Beer Dinner: St. Arnold Brewery at Canopy, 3939 Montrose Ave. (map); 5-course pairing for $65.
- Moylan’s Brewery tasting at The Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield Dr. (map) at 7 PM.
- Alamo Drafthouse: Matinee-price movies, $3 craft pints and growler specials. Two locations: 1000 West Oaks Mall (map) and 531 South Mason Road, Katy.
- Connoisseur tasting at The Ginger Man Pub, 5607 Morningside Dr. at 7:30 PM; $11.25 per person.
- Tasting and cooking with Austin Amber from Independence Brewing Co. from 6 PM – 8 PM. Rockwell Tavern is located at 12640 Telge Rd., Cypress (map).
Wednesday October 13
- Featured Beer Dinner: Kevin Floyd of Anvil Bar & Refuge at Catalan, with food by Chef Chris Shepherd. Six-course dinner with beer pairings chosen by Kevin Floyd of Anvil. Catalan is located at 5555 Washington Ave. (map); evening begins at 7 PM and is $100 per person.
- Beer tasting and specials from Stone Brewery at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 705 Main St. (map). The tasting begins at 7 PM.
- “Big Beer” tasting of barley wines and Imperial Stouts at The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside Dr. at 5:30 PM, $20 per person.
- Connoisseur tasting of Victory Brewing Company offerings at The Ginger Man, 5606 Morningside Dr., 7:30 PM; $11.25 per person.
- Abita Brewery of Louisiana is holding a tasting and door prize party at the Rockwell Tavern, 12640 Telge Rd., Cypress; 6 PM – 8 PM.
Hops are actually flowers, and are used to flavor beer.
Hops are actually flowers, and are used to flavor beer.
Thursday October 14
- Featured Beer Dinner: Pike Brewing Company beers paired with a four-course dinner at Divino Italian Restaurant; food by Chef Patrick McCray. Amuse bouche at 7 PM, dinner to follow; $65 per person, plus 18% gratuity. Divino is located at 1830 W. Alabama (map).
- Pumpkin Beer Throwdown: Competition for homebrewers, open to the public, at The Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield Dr.
- Connoisseur tasting at The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside Dr. focusing on Brooklyn Brewery’s award-winning beers, including a cooking demonstration and lecture; 7:30 PM. $11.25 per person.
- Beer tasting featuring Texas’ own Southern Star Brewery at the Rockwell Tavern, 12640 Telge Rd., Cypress; 6 PM – 8 PM.
Friday October 15
- Featured Beer Dinner: Brew Dog Brewery of Scotland beers paired with a seven-course dinner by Chef Carols Rodriguez at Vic & Anthony’s, 1510 Texas Ave. (map). Drinks at 7 PM with dinner following; $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
- Anvil Bar & Refuge Gravity Cask 2010, with beers specially created for Anvil. Anvil is located at 1424 Westheimer Ave. (map)
- All-day Samuel Adams event at The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside Dr. will include special prices, prizes, music, and more.
- Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition: One of the oldest homebrew competitions in the country, and a qualifying competition for The Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing.
- Texas “Girls’ Pint Out” Rare Beers of the Midwest at Spec’s Liquor Warehouse, 2410 Smith St. (map). LADIES ONLY! This event is free and starts at 6 PM.
- No Label Brewery tasting at Rockwell Tavern, 12640 Telge Rd., Cypress from 7 PM – 9 PM.
Saturday October 16
- Brenner’s Beer Festival: Brenner’s Steakhouse will be holding a four hour beer festival on Saturday, featuring more than 50 beers from local and regional beer craft breweries. 21 and over only, please! Tickets are $45 pre-sale, $55 at the door. Brenner’s is located at 1 Birdsall Place (map) and the beer festival runs from 2 PM – 6 PM.
- Connoisseur tasting at The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside Dr. featuring Belgian-style beers. The tasting begins at 3 PM and costs $11.25 per person.
- Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition
Sunday October 17
Monsters of Beer Charity Festival at 13 Celsius at 3000 Caroline St. (map). From noon until 6 PM local and regional craft brew selections will be served, including offerings from three new breweries. This final Beer Week event is being organized by the Live It BIG charity group, which helps raise money for smaller, start-up charities. Tickets for the Monsters of Beer Charity Festival are $20 pre-sale, $30 at the door and can be purchased online.
