I'm going to be in Houston for a week at the end of August and was wondering the best place to go for good beer to bring back to Memphis with me. I've been to HEB Central Market and the Specs in Sugarland, but was wondering if there was anywhere that was better that I definitely needed to go to. I plan on hitting up a few places to find some good local beer, and if anyone wants any good local beer from the beer hell that is Memphis, I would be happy to bring something down. Just let me know. Also, as a bargaining chip, I can bring down Memphis barbecue... not that you texans would be interested in good old pork. I'm not looking for anything in particular, but Firestone Walker, Jester King, and a few others are kinda my focus. Also I'm not confined to one area in Houston, so I can travel anywhere.
D&Q and Specs Smith st are your best bet. There is a new place called Jugs at the intersection of W. Alabama and Shepherd that is fantastic. Twitter.com/thebeerstation for an idea of d&q Twitter.com/specs_beer_dept for specs smith st. And jugs has a facebook that is always up to date
I've heard about D&Q, and I figured there was a better Specs to go to. Thanks for the info. I'll definitely have to check those out.
Specs on Smith just to see it. The beer selection is great, the largest I've ever seen. They do have FW. But you can also find FW at just about any newer HEB or Central market. Whole Foods on Waugh near DT also has a great selection. Get yourself a sandwich at the deli. They do have just about anything you want. D&Q is also great and less than 10 minutes from Specs. It's smaller but has a great selection also. Also check out Montrose growlers. All in the same area. You'll be hard pressed to find any JK in stores. At least all the in demand stuff is sold at the brewery. But sure if you post for an IP trade somebody will hook you up. Bring some Yazoo! I would suggest in no particular order to hit up Specs on Smith D&Q on Richmond and Montrose HEB West Alabama Whole Foods on Waugh Montrose Growlers All of these are within 10 minutes of each other.
I'll reiterate what most people have said. Specs on Smith st and D&Q are must stops. Enjoy your time in Houston and if you're going to have a free night let us know we might be able to set up a bottle share at one of the bars.
I'd gladly do a bottle share. I can bring down Yazoo as well as some of the better Memphis stuff, like Wiseacre or High Cotton. Or anything else that we can get up here. A far as free time goes, any time other than the 27th is gonna be free time. This a a pleasure trip, not a business one. Might have to make the trek to Austin to visit Jester King. But I'll be in town the 25-29th.
I live in Sugar Land. The Specs there is not one you want to bother with on a visit. The best stop in SL is Whole Foods, which also has a bar with quite a good number of taps and does growler fills. If you are able to roam the area, as others mentioned, hit Specs on Smith Street and/or D&Q.
I agree that D&Q and Specs Smith are the best spots. Exclusive Foods isn't too shabby either. http://www.goodbeerhouston.com/bottle-shops/ (shameless plug)
Also, a little off topic... Where is a good place to get some cool glassware? I'm definitely going to hit up Specs smith and D&Q. If anyone wants some Yazoo, or wiseacre just hit me up and I'm sure we can arrange an IP meet-up. Thanks for all the help!
D&Q also has brewery specific glassware, Specs Midtown (Smith) has some too, or for non-brewery specific but varied glassware as well as a good bottle selection, I'd throw in Premium Draught on Studewood. I'm a bit hesitant to suggest them because they can be wildly overpriced, but they do tend to have stuff out of season or when other places won't have it (perhaps also due to price.)
I don't think Premium Draught is any more overpriced than D&Q, or many other places not named Specs. Almost everything is singles, so that in itself is a bit more expensive. Last time I was at D&Q, the Prairie beers were pretty much the same. I have found some things more and some things less expensive than similar bottle shops. Personally I love Premium, it is just a no hassle place in my neighborhood that gets little hype. Where I can get Live Oak and 512 growlers.
Piggybacking this thread. Staying in the Woodlands for two nights next week on Thursday and Friday. Flying SW so if I can find a bottle shop in the area to bring any JK, Prairie or anything notable not in Chicago I'd love the advice. any must hit spots for dinner on the company card?? Thanks in advance!
If you're in the Woodlands and want a decent meal with some good beer options, take the 10 minute drive north to Red Brick Tavern in Conroe. Goose's Acre on the Woodlands Waterway is also decent. Also, Hop Scholar Ale House on Rayford is a great place for a few pints. They even have a few bottles to go and growler refills, but no food (although plenty of other restaurants in the same strip center will walk food over to you). As for bottle shops, there's the HEB - Market Street and a Spec's on Rayford-Sawdust/I-45. Neither of these are great, but they'll have a decent selection. Of course, there's also my cellar if you'd like to work out an IP trade, just PM me. You mentioned that you'll be flying in on Southwest, which means Hobby Airport on the south side of Houston. You'll have to pass thru downtown on your way to the Woodlands and on the way back to the airport. I'd suggest stopping by the big Spec's downtown on Smith Street. Also hit up D&Q and Growler's Beer & Wine.
