hello Texas! Making the trip to Amarillo from Minnesota later this week for my neice’s HS graduation. Any recommendations on breweries or quality bottle shops in Amarillo? I found Long Wooden Spoon brewery and Big Texan brewery on BA, but not much feedback on either. Anyone been to either? Would like to bring back some Jester King or other recommended TX beers. Thanks all! Mike
That area of Texas does not get much distro. Those are two of the ones that I know are open (don't expect anything from Big Texan, though). Also, I believe Six Car Pub & Brewer is now open as well, but do not know if they are brewing yet. (there are two other breweries that I know that are opening sometime - Pondaseta Brewing and Amarillo Beer Company). As far as bars go, maybe Imperial Taproom a little south of town. You are in the beer abyss of Texas.
Big Texan is a huge tourist trap. With kitschy themed hotel rooms, steakhouse (they do the 72 oz steak challenge that has been all over travel channel and such) and has only made a few in house beers recently. I wouldn't expect much from them. Otherwise stick to the above already mentioned. For what it is worth Imperial Taproom always shows up in CraftBeer.com's best beer bars list, but I think that is just a bunch of fan/readers votes that make up the list. https://www.craftbeer.com/breweries/great-american-beer-bars-2017
It probably is the best beer bar within 275 miles of it's location, but I would take many others in Austin over it. It isn't Imperial's fault, it's the distribution.
Thanks @aschwab & @champ103 . I knew I was going where good beer was hard to find, just didn’t expect nothing. Will try to hit Imperial Taproom- appreciate the guidance!
I go through Amarillo twice a year on my way to Colorado, and I've always found a few gems at Party Stop, especially this one: Party Stop - Liquor Beer Wine, 7301 SW 45th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79119 https://www.partystops.com I'm in the DFW area, and I've found things there that I haven't found at better bottle shops at home...just FYI!
Made it to Imperial Taproom today. Decent selection. Stick to the draft beers though...took a couple beers to go and they were all a few months old. Malty IPAs...certainly the beat place I’ve found so far.
Thanks @JJFoodie - went there last night. Althouh they chuckled at me when I asked about local beers, but selection was better than I expected. Appreciate the help!
