Who is you favorite Texas Brewery

Jester King, Live Oak, 512, in that order. If Live Oak bottled, they'd probably be first in that list.

I've not been a huge fan of St Arnold -- they're alright, but I can find better examples of the styles they do, and we don't get particularly fresh Endeavor in DFW.

 

Hops & Grain. Zoe has been a consistent staple of my fridge the last few months with Alteration & Pale Dog in heavy rotation before that. I personally think that H&G is doing much more diverse and interesting small batch beers in their Greenhouse series (particularly their Del Roble series) than anyone in Texas right now. I love their laid back attitude (especially in their amazing taproom) and diversity of styles.

Runner up is Jester King... who are doing amazing world-class barrel-aged sours & saisons right now and, when they're tuned-in, probably make the best beer in Texas. That said, they don't make any one beer that is available and affordable enough for me to drink daily... and the hype train and rush behind new releases just wears me out thinking about it.

 

I'm going to have to go with Hops & Grain also. Everything I've had from them I've really enjoyed. Their production beers are all top notch in my book. But I absolutely love their Greenhouse beers. I try to make it to the brewery at least once a month to sample the latest.

Before they opened, 512 was my previous favorite with Live Oak not far behind. I guess I've never really been a big Jester King fan. I generally like all of their beers, but they don't have one I've ever really connected with - if that makes sense.

 

For me, it's currently Austin Beerworks, especially for their Heavy Machinery, and Hops and Grain, especially for Zoe.

But I'm fickle could change my mind tomorrow!

 

All the ones that responsibly promote TX craft beer.

 

Id have to go Real Ale, then 512. If 512 bottled, it'd be real close.

Mostly because RA has teh 1 beer that i always gravitate towards always on shelves, Devils Backbone. I also like their brown and when the coffee porter comes out i cant get enough.

Also the Mysterium Vernum series (the few that i got to have) were incredibly good and the brewers cut stuff, has been awesome.

 

Hops and Grain, followed VERY closely by Austin Beerworks. I have yet to have anything from either that I didnt think was a quality representation of style, and both are willing to push boundaries and put out new stuff. I could drink nothing by Zoe all summer and Sputnik all winter and be a very happy man. Third place for me would be Jester King - I love a lot of their stuff, but for my palate they've also had some misses lately, and the price point is starting to price me out of the market on some of their offerings.

But really, we're lucky to have so many fantastic breweries right in our backyards now

 

Real Ale is easily one of my favorites. Solid core lineup, great seasonals, and world-class special releases. I'm also a huge fan of Live Oak and (512). And of course, I fucking love Freetail.

 

MV series beers are what put Real Ale as the frontrunner for me. Close second is Austin Beerworks, and I just wish more of their stuff made it's way to DFW.

In terms of JK, I've been a lot more apprehensive buying their stuff lately because of the price and being unsure if I'll even like the beer.

 

Ok seriously. It's a really rough decision to say who's #1 in my book. And there are others that tie for 1st place in my mind, but I'm a huge fan of Jester King and their work (values as a business, transparency with the consumers, and their work ethic). I'm thoroughly excited for my June 1st trip and actually my 1st trip to Jester King! Looking forward to it.

 

Don't get me wrong on my other comment though - visiting the brewery itself is a fantastic experience. Big change from most the other craft breweries here who are set up in an industrial-ish area.

 

Jesterking is number one for me currently. Mostly based on Boxers, RU-55, and Funk Metal... those 3 beers alone have grabbed the number one spot in my book.

Hops & Grain is a close second because of their greenhouse series and the consistantly great cans they produce.

Austing beerworks would be third.

 

This is always tough, but here goes.

1. Real Ale - For reasons stated above. Great year round beers, awesome barrel program
2. Live Oak - They do their styles, and they do them well
3. Hops & Grain - Again, they have great year rounds, and the Greenhouse series produces awesome beers.
4. Austin Beerworks - Great year rounds, great seasonals, great brewery to visit.
5. 512 - Like others have stated, if bottled would move up the list. Love everything they have put out.

 

I always go back and forth with who I think is my favorite. Though right now in no particular order:

Real Ale
512
Austin Beerworks
Live Oak
Karbach
Freetail

Hops & Grain continues to make a really good case, and I have been impressed with some of Saint Arnold's new efforts.

 

You will enjoy it.

 

Karbach - They are growing by leaps and bounds for an upstart brewery here in Houston. Their limited releases have blown my mind so far and I am impressed at the variety and tinkering they do to promote their label.

 

Hops & Grain: Their standards are always solid, but the Greenhouse series just kills it.

 

Real Ale, with JK in close second.

Real Ale makes two damn good year round brews (Four Squared and Hans' Pils), plenty more good year round brews, and has the best one-offs in the state. I can drink Four Squared at pretty much any given time. Barrel Aged 15th Anny, Devil's Share, and Scots Gone Wild are three of the best TX beers I've tried. I'm quite excited that my fantastic wife bought a growler of Scots for me when I was in TN over the weekend.

Jester King is TX's most recognizable brewery, mostly to the betterment of the state's beer scene. They make a lot of really good beer. Yes, there are misses, but such is the nature of an experimental brewery. Some of their hits (both Wunderkinds, Funk Metal, RU-55) have been great discoveries and have shown many Texans how cool and delicious beer can be. As Air mentioned, their brewery experience is, by far, the best in the state. Their main drawback IMO is the lack of draft availability + the lack of small format product for more sessionable consumption. But they have a plan and they're sticking to it, so I respect their business vision and execution.

 

JK
Real Ale
Karbach