A good family friend of mine is visiting my brother who lives in Corpus Christi. My friend is planning on bringing a haul back to California for us. What do you recomend that is available in Texas and hard to find on the west coast? Ive heard about 512 Brewing, but I dont think they make it down to the Corpus area. I have read that there are a few good bottle shops in Corpus (Liquid Town #8), but what should I have him pick up? Thank you in advance.
Saint Arnold, definitely. The Endeavor is their new Double IPA, which just released in bombers. If he can find it--I'm not entirely sure it's made its way down from Houston--then definitely pick some up. Their Weedwacker and Lawnmower are excellent beers. People in Houston are going crazy for the Santo, too. Non-Saint Arnold beers: Real Ale's Pale Moon Rye is delicious. Karbach makes some good beers, but they just started canning so finding them might be tough. If you don't get Southern Star out there, then definitely pick up the Buried Hatchet RIS. Their Pine Belt Pale is also quite tasty. Joel
512 is going to be draft-only for the most part; they bottle some stuff, but nothing recently released and when their bottles come out, they go very quickly. That said, there may be a chance for growler fills somewhere, but I'm not a Corpus guy.
Since I'm from Corpus I can easily answer this for you. No 512 and if we did get their beers no one fills growlers locally. No Karbach or Jester King locally as well. Be very wary with any thing that needs to be fresh. Endeavor was just released so it should be safe. Most Real Ale, Southern Star, and Brooklyn's releases are readily available. Some Boulevard's beers are on shelves but I would check the dates.(in fact check ever beer's date) Clown Shoes is only available at Specs. I only shop at the Liquid Town on Alameda. If you have any questions or want me to check for something let me know.
Ska brewing is all over as well. Last time I checked they weren't available in Cali. I would have them check the HEB Plus on Saragtoga for fresh cans.
I forgot to warn him about the roving gangs who come out after 8PM. They can and will hinder all beer shopping. Its like a post apocalytic version of The Warriors in Podunk, Texas.(Corpus Christi)
I omitted everything I knew was available in California. Plenty of Lone Star. We also have the rare Blue Moon.
