Welcome to the first edition of New Beer Round-up. This will be a regular feature at Houston Beer Scene with brief notes on new Houston area beers that we’ve sampled. Look for the Houston Beer Scene picks which are beers we’ve identified as being excellent examples of their style or a very unique beer that you should be aware of. We’ll also try to list new beers that we haven’t sampled, but know are currently available. Please review the Texas Label Approval posts for additional information for new and upcoming beers for the Houston area. Also, if you have any information on new Houston area beers, drop us a line.
11 Below Brewing – Trade Bait – This is the first release in a series that will rotate which hops are featured in the beer. The initial version is features Galaxy, Simcoe and Citra hops. Another solid entry into the Houston IPA scene. Availability: Draft only
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company -Pineappel! Pineappel! Pineappel! – A 9.5 % Pineapple tripel that’s bursting with pineapple flavor. The tripel aspect is a bit overwhelmed by the pineapple, but the overall brew is quite enjoyable. Availability: Draft only
Great Heights Brewing Company – Amber – One of the two launch beers available during Great Height’s soft open. A fairly hearty take on the amber style with more body and roast than expected. Availability: Draft only
Great Heights Brewing Company – Fruity Pellets – This 6.2 New England style IPA is a second strong house beer from Great Heights’ soft open. Availability: Draft only
Holler Brewing Company – Hype PA – Holler’s take on a “juicy” IPA is a 7.4% brew using Galaxy and Citra hops that is highlighted by a pleasant, soft mouthfeel. Availability: Draft only
Holler Brewing Company – Harvey’s LemonAde IPA – This is a collaboration with Underdogs Pub with proceeds benefiting JJ Watt’s Hurricane Harvey relief charity. This concoction features Holler’s Belgian IPA infused with Underdog’s Harvey’s Lemon Pie Shot. The flavor is quite unique and comes across almost like a lemon liqueur. Availability: Only on draft at Underdogs
Holler Brewing Company – Category 3 Tripel – Another collaboration with Underdogs Pub that features Holler’s Tripel with Underdog’s Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Shot. Like Harvey’s LemonAde, proceeds from sales of this beer benefit JJ Watt’s Hurricane Harvey relief charity. Category 3 is strong on strawberry and is another unique take on flavoring beer. Availability: Only on draft at Underdogs
No Label Brewing Company – Sittin’ Sidehaze – No Label’s solid and popular entry into the NEIPA game is a 6.7% brew with Azacca, Citra and EL Dorado. Availability: Draft only
Platypus Brewing – Show Us Your Peaches – This 6.0% beer is a lightly bitter peach IPA. The peach flavor is mild here and is more notable for providing sweetness leaving an overall balanced fruit beer. Availability: Draft only
Houston Beer Scene Pick – Brazos Valley Brewing Company – One Way Ticket – A 4.2% strawberry lemonade shandy. This is very far from my favorite style, but Brazos Valley hit a homerun with this one. One Way Ticket is very refreshing and really nailed the strawberry lemonade flavor. Excellent example of the style. Availability: Draft and cans
Houston Beer Scene Pick – Eureka Heights Brewing Company – Nuke The Whales – For their first anniversary Eureka Heights brewed this huge, 13% imperial milk stout aged in bourbon barrels. This comes across as a big version of Moo Caliente with bourbon in the mix. During their first anniversary party a version brewed with coffee and another version brewed with cocoa nibs and blueberries were available. Overall the coffee was my favorite of the three and is a Houston Beer Scene Pick. Availability: Draft only, a limited amount of bottles were available at the release party.
Houston Beer Scene Pick – Holler Brewing Company – English Mild – Holler did an amazing job of packing a ton of malt flavor and complexity into a 3.2% beer. This is an easy choice for maltheads who want a session beer. English Milds are somewhat few and far between, I recommend trying this while it’s available. Availability: Draft only
Not sampled
B-52 Brewing Company – Raaaaaaaandy w/ 8 A’s – A 5.8% hoppy ale brewed with Galaxy, Simcoe, lupulin powder and milk sugar.
Baa Baa Brewhouse – Eclipse – A 7.2% NEIPA released for the eclipse. This one got snapped up at the brewery very quickly, hopefully there are a few kegs out there somewhere.
Brazos Valley Brewing Company – Trouble In Mind – A DIPA brewed with Denali hops.
>Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company – Almond Darling Clementine – A 6.3% witbier brewed with almonds. It appears this is a draft only release.
Eureka Heights Brewing Company – Swipe Right – A 4.3% Belgian Single dry hopped with Azacca.
Holler Brewing Company – Puckery Pale Ale – A 5.4% sour pale ale with Mosaic hops.
No Label Brewing Company – 1980’s Kolsch – 5.2% abv – appears that this one will be available in bottles.
Sigma Brewing Company – Pearl’s Essence – A 7.6% saison with roasted tomatillos that is a collaboration with Moon Tower Inn.
Sigma Brewing Company – Sigma IPA – Another new hoppy beer from Sigma is always good news. 6.8% abv.
Whole Food Market Brewing Company – Umbraphile – An 8.1% hazy DIPA.
Whole Foods Market Brewing Company – Whole Payload – A collaboration with B-52 for a 8.5% New England DIPA.