Move aside margaritas! While the Tex-Mex drink staple might be the alcoholic beverage most associated with the Lone Star state, there’s nothing as big in Texas as a good can of beer. And, in Houston, the burgeoning brewery scene is rife with spots where you can sample more than just your basic pilsner or IPA. In fact, the taste adventures available across the pint palaces in Space City, from grapefruit-forward shandies to mango sours, will make your average Modelo a thing of the past. Check out our list below of the best artisans brewing beer around the city — and then make some space in your fridge for a growler or two to bring back from each visit.
Related: The Best Restaurants in Midtown Houston, TX
The Best Houston Breweries to Visit
Karbach Brewing Co.
Address: 2032 Karbach Street, Houston, TX 77092
Neighborhood: Spring Branch East
While beer industry titan Anheuser-Busch acquired this local brewery a few years back, you would never know it when walking through their doors. Despite their big-name connection, Karbach still feels like the same beloved neighborhood spot it became after first opening in 2011. You can enjoy one of their 15 beers on tap with the whole crew because their large indoor restaurant space, along with an expansive outdoor biergarten, makes this East Houston haunt the perfect place for a large group gathering. And, while you sip on one of their popular pints, such as the refreshing, Kolsch-style blonde Love Street, the multiple viewing windows of the factory floor allow you to peek into the process behind their creation. If that isn’t enough to entice you, the stage on their covered patio plays host to some of the best toe-tapping, local bands around — and the renowned Karbach burger, which comes on a bacon-infused brioche bun, will give you all the fuel you need to hit the dance floor.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Address: 2000 Lyons Avenue, Houston, TX 77020
Neighborhood: Greater Fifth Ward
You can’t call yourself a Houston beer connoisseur without visiting the place that pioneered the city’s microbrewery scene: Saint Arnold. Pouring pints since 1994, it may very well be the oldest craft brewery in all of Texas, but Saint Arnold’s spacious, industrial digs, as well as its ever-evolving selections on tap, make the space enduringly hip and modern. While the ornate chandeliers and vibrant murals inside the brewery’s restaurant will captivate visitors all on their own, the real draw here is their outdoor beer garden. On this string-lit patio, you’ll find plenty of tables from which to sip their flagship Amber Ale and enjoy one of the best views of the Houston skyline found anywhere in Space City.
8th Wonder Brewery
Address: 2202 Dallas Street, Houston, TX 77003
Neighborhood: East Downtown
Many places may serve up pints in Houston, but none of them deliver a more Space City-focused theme than 8th Wonder Brewery. Named after the iconic local landmark, the Astrodome, this spot takes more than just its name from its hometown — the names of many of their beers, including the Cougar Paw Red Ale and the Rocket Fuel Vietnamese Coffee Porter, give cheeky nods to Houston sports teams and monuments. If that alone doesn’t make it a worthy pre-game pint-hang, 8th Wonder’s location in East Downtown is a stone’s throw away from Minute Maid Park, the Toyota Center, and the Shell Energy Stadium. Before you head off to the ballgame, though, snap a pic with the 36-foot-tall Beatles sculpture by artist David Adickes housed within the brewery’s grounds.
Under the Radar Brewery
Address: 1506 Truxillo Street, Houston, TX 77004
Neighborhood: Midtown
It makes sense that three friends with a love and passion for craft brewing founded South Houston destination Under the Radar. Located in the hip Midtown neighborhood, the whole vibe of the space reads like a cool backyard hang on the patio of one of your closest buddies. However, we doubt that your personal pals deliver Under the Radar’s exceptional beer-tasting experience. From their tart, passionfruit-tinted Gose to their trademark, juicy Hazy Town IPA, all of their beer on tap goes great with guessing the answers to a round of questions on the brewery’s famous Wednesday trivia night, or post-run on their Thursday fitness get-togethers. Just be sure to give a pat (and maybe even a belly rub) to friendly brewery dog and resident good boy, Calvin, at some point during your visit.
True Anomaly Brewing Company
Address: 2012 Dallas Street, Houston, TX 77003
Neighborhood: Downtown
True Anomaly caters to the serious beer enthusiasts out there — the ones who, when visiting a brewery, care about the nature of the contents in their pint glass at the expense of all else. Started by four former NASA employees, it’s no exaggeration to say that the flavor combinations found here are out of this world, especially their selection of grisettes, a rarely brewed style of beer that is light, tart, and unlike anything else you have ever drunk before. However, should you want something a little more down-to-earth, they also brew a smattering of familiar favorites, including their citrus-flavored Go Flight Northeast IPA. While, compared to the other spots on this list, this brewery is slighter smaller in size, they more than make up for it in their efforts at accessibility, offering touch-tours for the visually impaired, as well as fidget toys and ear muffs for children with autism or other disabilities.
Live Near One of the Best Breweries in Houston, TX
You can raise a toast at one of Houston’s breweries any day of the week by finding your perfect apartment within the city. And, with AptAmigo’s expert agents on your side, finding your new home will be as easy as saying, “Cheers!” With their local, intimate knowledge of Houston, they can help you discover the best fit for your budget, desires, and lifestyle.
