Trip to deep south TX

Not from there, but feel pretty confident in these answers assuming you find a good liquor store.

Maybe the Jacks.
No.
Regular only.
Maybe...the state got a big allotment this year.
Likely.
No.
No.
Maybe.
Maybe.

Unless you are going through Austin or Houston, it's a beer desert. If you go through Austin, you can go hit up Jester King and get whatever bottles they have currently. Additionally, I would highly recommend the Hops and Grain Greenhouse IPA. Someone from Houston would have to help out with recommendations there.

 

The beer situation in the Rio Grande Valley is not great, but it isn't terrible. I'm pretty sure there is a Specs in that area, and I believe there is still a Feldman's. Those would probably be your best bet. I know there is a new craft bar in McAllen, but its name escapes me.

You aren't driving, are you?

 

I hear there's more Abyss being distributed next week in DFW. Not sure if that's the case for the rest of the state, but maybe.

It may be a good idea to call down there or maybe set up some IP trades? If you're coming from MI, I'd imagine you have some nice bait.

 

Be sure to check the date on any IPAs you manage to find.

 

Hit padre island brewing. Get the onion rings. That'll be the best thing you can get in those areas. Lol

 

Yes. This is excellent advice since much of the distribution down here is just the leftover stuff that doesn't sell in Austin and San Antonio.

 

That's not entirely true. San Antonio gets a lot of the same stuff and takes a lot longer to sell through it. I've seen Abyss and DR15 sitting on the shelf at two HEBs this week.

 

Shhhhh. If you tell them, they wil come.

 

Many of the HEBs in the bigger cities have pretty solid beer departments. Not sure if the same is true in the valley.

 

There are definitely limited options, but the two places I would check out are Roosevelt's at 7 on Main st. and Business 83 and Grain to Glass on 29th st. Both have a good selection of beers on tap, Grains is run by a great group of dynamic folks trying to create a craft beer scene in the area, so they have a beer (and food) menu that changes frequently. As far as getting a big selection, their is a liquor store called Feldmans on 10th st. and Business 83, they have the biggest bottle selection in the area. I don't live there anymore but these are the places I hit when I go home to visit. Hope you enjoy the visit! I can't comment on the south padre island brewery because I've never been but I hear good things. March is usually good beach weather, too. Check out the future SpaceX launch site if you can on your way to the island! Cheers!

 

Spec's is the largest liquor store chain in Texas. A quick search of their website shows they don't have any locations in the area you'll be visiting.

As a general rule, HEB is the best supermarket for craft beer, but not all of them are great. Good luck.

 

Maybe @miikezombie would care to add some insight. Maybe not.

 

I'm actually in McAllen right now. I will try to look for some of the beers you requested but the chances are pretty slim for what you're looking for as I come here quarterly and have yet to see most of those.

You can definitely find regular yeti and espresso. I'm not sure about Bear Racer X, but I do know that they get it on draft here in McAllen.

As far as places to actually drink at though, there is a few. Roosevelts at 7 (good draft, total shithole though), University Drafthouse (more college aged crowd but great burgers and bottle selection) and Grain To Glass (new place, haven't checked it out yet).

For bottle shops? Feldmans in McAllen is will be your best bet at finding something, especially stuff that is not in your distro. You should also check out an HEB as they will carry a bulk of stuff as well.

That's it for McAllen but you probably wont have much luck in Harlingen fyi, it's kind of in a desolate area haha.

 

Allow me.

The best bottle shop (for takeaway) is going to be Feldman's on 10th (owned by Spec's). You may find the FW and Boulevard beers here. The location in Weslaco has a smaller, more dated selection. Don't bother.

For taps and bottles (to drink in house), I actually recommend the Blue Onion in Sharyland off 83. The location is practically still McAllen. Roosevelt's is fine, but they will not have much that will wow you. Grain to Glass seems to be the new joint (I recently moved), but I can tell you that the location is a pain in the ass to get to and back.

Back to the Blue Onion....they also have a location in Weslaco (between Harlingen and McAllen) that is respectable. It is very close to 83, so it is worth a stop. They have some sours in bottle and a few in house brews on tap. The place itself is a little dated, but it's worth a stop.

 

He will be a bit further south than Corpus Christi. Not too familiar with the area, but I will take a shot in the dark. Seems to have a beach from what I can gather. Probably a few liquor stores with good selections. (Premixed Strawberry Margaritas and Jager) Perhaps Bacardi and Sonic slushes to properly slum it. High quality shat for high quality beach ball'n.

I am of little help. Nothing has changed.

Edit: Back in my punk rock youth, I stayed in a place called "Budget Inn" near the Harlingen area. Had blood all over the couch. Don't stay there.

 

Went to Grain to Glass the other night, they have Growlers and bottles to go which is neat. They still had some Dissident left too.