I am heading there for the first time in a couple of weeks from Austin and I am just wondering if anyone knows of a good beer store there or on the way ? Do the HEBs have the same selections as the Austin area stores ? Should I just stock up here in Austin instead of hoping I find something ? Thanks in advance
Best option in the area is Liquid Town (on Alameda) in Corpus Christi. They have an absolutely killer selection. Just watch for dusty IPAs. They have some amazing old bottles (and better prices than in Austin) in that store. There's also a Spec's in Corpus that's... alright (not as good as Austin) and an HEB Plus on SPID just before getting to Port Aransas that's got an okay selection. There's actually a brewpub on Port Aransas too (Port Aransas Brewing Company), which I frankly think kinda sucks.
Port Aransas Brewing Co is your best bet on the island. Their Shandy is really too but that's about it. The cooler selection is mediocre at best. The food however is awesome. The jalapeño poppers are stuffed with crab meat and is excellent. The calamari is pretty good too.
Port Arthur and Port Aransas aren't very close to each other. The summer before last when I went to Port A, the beer options sucked. Shiner from the IGA was the best option at the time.
Just be aware that there is no HEB in Port A. There is one in Aransas Pass, but it's terrible. The IGA on the island had better selection.
Go to Beaches restaurant. Great food and good TX brews on tap. It's owned by the guy who owns the PA Brewing (which is horrible for beer, but good for food)
I'm headed down there Sunday and after my last trip this past summer I am most definitely bringing my own stash. I found some SNPA but other than that it was pretty much BMC only. Skip the Port A brewery...I'm not going to go in to too much detail but below sub par beers and food that looks and tastes like it just came off a Schwan's truck about sums it up.
Op. I'm from Corpus. The only places worth your time are Liquid Town on Alemaeda and either B&J's Pizza locations. I wouldn't bother with Specs. Depending on where you are from, the Heb Plus in Flour Bluff may not be worth the stop.
