The Best Beers (Maybe?) at Texas Craft Brewers Festival 2026
Is it just me, or has 2026 flown by? I can’t believe National Pickle Day is this weekend, it feels like the last one was only a few months ago. But this year, the Texas Craft Brewers’ Guild had the GALL to schedule their beer festival on pickle day? I’m really disappointed about all the pickle-related celebrations I’m going to have to miss out on.
…Oh, they’re going to have pickle festivities at the beer festival? Well, conflict resolved then, see you there!
Anyway, here are some highlight beers that will be at the festival this weekend. Print this article out! Or don’t, you do you!
Disclaimer: this article is based on crowdsourced data from Untappd. As always, this is both not necessarily reliable, and not the opinion of the CBA team. Please use this information for fun, and remember that the best beer at the festival is the one you liked the most.
Rotating taps aren’t included in the lists, because they run out quickly. They’re listed separately at the bottom.
New Beers
These beers were either produced just for the festival, or were recently released. You could call these the “rarities” of the event, since there’s a good chance you won’t see most of them again. Get ’em while you can!
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | ABV | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Songs Brewing Company | Red Bird Rising | IPA – Red | ||
| Acopon Brewing Company | Grindylow | IPA – Rye | ||
| Bankhead Brewing Co. | Highway To Helles | Lager – Helles | ||
| Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches | Crush (Cherry) | Wheat Beer – Fruited | ||
| Big Country Organic Brewing Co. | Experimental IPA | IPA – Other | ||
| Bird Creek Brewing | Birdlite | Lager – Other Light | 4.2% | |
| Blue Owl Brewing, Collaboration with Hold Out Brewing | Texas’ Finest: Honey Lager | Lager – Pale | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent | |
| The Brewtorium – Brewery & Kitchen | Nuthin’ But A Hop Thang | IPA – American | Pink Boots Society | |
| Celis Brewery | LIam’s Brown Ale | Brown Ale – English | 6.5% | |
| Cottonwood Creek Brewery | Raspberry Beret | Blonde / Golden Ale – Other | Pink Boots Society | |
| Crest Brewing Company | Barensohn Festbier | Festbier | 6.5% | |
| Fast Friends Beer Co., Collaboration with Central District Brewing | Proper Rubbish | Pale Ale – English | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent | |
| Fitzhugh Brewing | Retro 99 | IPA – Triple | 12.4% | |
| Frontyard Brewing | Hoppy Lager | Lager – IPL (India Pale Lager) | 4.6% | |
| Frontyard Brewing | Bockbier | Bock – Single / Traditional | ||
| Galveston Bay Brewing | Bayou Brewha | Farmhouse Ale – Saison | 4.7% | Pink Boots Society |
| Good Line Beer Co. | Goin” Beer 101 | Pilsner – American | 4.9% | Tailgate Lounge |
| Good Line Beer Co., Collaboration with TexMalt | Moon Is Climbing High | IPA – Rye | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent | |
| Nolan Creek Brewery | NCB Anniversary Ale | Belgian Tripel | 10% | |
| Oddwood Brewing | Mad Madam Mim | Lager – American | 4.1% | Pink Boots Society |
| Oddwood Brewing | Aquatic Ambiance | IPA – New England / Hazy | ||
| Oddwood Brewing | Blaupunkt | Pilsner – German | ||
| Pinthouse Brewing | Llama Mirage | IPA – New England / Hazy | ||
| Prost Alehouse | Carson Pass | Pale Ale – American | 5.1% | |
| Prost Alehouse Texas, Collaboration with Live Oak Brewing Company | Czech Bag | Lager – Vienna | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent | |
| Smittox Brewing | Celestial Beams | IPA – Imperial / Double | 9.2% | |
| Smittox Brewing | D.O.C – Dunkel of Oak Cliff | Lager – Munich Dunkel | 5.5% | |
| Spirit of Texas Brewstillery | Trip C 70 | IPA – American | 7% | |
| Spirit of Texas Brewstillery | Padre Lager | Lager – Mexican | ||
| St. Elmo Brewing Company | Larry | Lager – American Light | ||
| Texagon Brewing | Candi Saint | Belgian Dubbel | 7.6% | |
| Wild Bunch Brewing Company | Big Bad Pale Kolsch | Kölsch | 5.5% | |
| Windmills – Brewery & Restaurant | Baracuda Heart | Sour – Fruited | 4.3% | Pink Boots Society |
Sessionable Beers
If you’re looking to take it easy, here are the lowest ABV beers at the festival:
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | ABV | Beer Rating | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acopon Brewing Company | Faery Boots | Mild – Ruby | 3% | 3.99 | |
| Altstadt Brewery | Radler – Peach | Shandy / Radler | 3.2% | 3.84 | |
| Blue Owl Brewing | Early Bird | Sour – Other | 3.2% | 3.71 | |
| Slot-T Beer Co. | Friday Night Light | Lager – American | 4% | 3.56 | Tailgate Lounge |
| (512) Brewing Company, Collaboration with Crown & Anchor Pub | San Jac Squeeze | Lager – American Light | 4% | 3.52 | |
| Oddwood Brewing | Mad Madam Mim | Lager – American | 4.1% | New | Pink Boots Society |
| TUPPS Brewery, Collaboration with East Texas A&M | Bold Gold Texas Lager | Lager – Mexican | 4.2% | 3.69 | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent |
| Martin House Brewing Company | Rancho Grande (2025-) | Lager – Mexican | 4.2% | 3.6 | |
| Old Gregg Brewing Company | Boat Times | Pilsner – German | 4.2% | 3.6 | |
| Fast Friends Beer Co. | Austin City Lager | Lager – American | 4.2% | 3.59 | |
| Bird Creek Brewing | Birdlite | Lager – Other Light | 4.2% | New |
Strongest Beers
If you prefer to go all in, here are the strongest beers at the festival:
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | ABV | Beer Rating | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzhugh Brewing | Retro 99 | IPA – Triple | 12.4% | New | |
| Vista Brewing | Fireside | Stout – Imperial / Double | 11.6% | 4.1 | |
| Infamous Brewing Company | Double Tap | IPA – Imperial / Double | 10.5% | 3.8 | |
| Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Pumpkinator (2026) | Pumpkin / Yam Beer | 10.3% | 4.14 | |
| Grain Theory | Praetorian | Stout – Imperial / Double | 10% | 4.06 | |
| Galveston Bay Brewing | Megalodon | Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy | 10% | 3.96 | |
| Oak Highlands Brewery | Freaky Deaky | Belgian Tripel | 10% | 3.76 | |
| Nolan Creek Brewery | NCB Anniversary Ale | Belgian Tripel | 10% | New | |
| Smittox Brewing | Celestial Beams | IPA – Imperial / Double | 9.2% | New | |
| Southern Roots Brewing Company | Deadman’s Hand | Bock – Doppelbock | 9.1% | 3.78 |
Low Hop Beers
Most beers don’t have an IBU value on Untappd, but among those that do, here are the least hoppy options:
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | IBU | Beer Rating | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin House Brewing Company | Best Maid Sour Pickle Beer | Sour – Tomato / Vegetable Gose | 3 | 3.42 | |
| Martin House Brewing Company | True Love | Sour – Fruited | 4 | 3.75 | |
| Galveston Bay Brewing | Pickle Ship Gose | Sour – Other Gose | 5 | 3.58 | |
| Windmills – Brewery & Restaurant | Baracuda Heart | Sour – Fruited | 5 | New | Pink Boots Society |
| Windmills – Brewery & Restaurant | Origami Harvest | Wheat Beer – Hefeweizen | 10 | 3.74 | |
| Save The World Brewing Co. | Cerveza TX | Lager – Mexican | 10 | 3.63 | |
| Fast Friends Beer Co. | Austin City Lager | Lager – American | 10 | 3.59 | |
| (512) Brewing Company, Collaboration with Crown & Anchor Pub | San Jac Squeeze | Lager – American Light | 10 | 3.52 | |
| Talyard Brewing Company | Sunset League | Wheat Beer – Hefeweizen | 12 | 3.79 | |
| Frontyard Brewing | Hoppy Lager | Lager – IPL (India Pale Lager) | 12 | New |
Hoppiest Beers
And for you hop heads out there, here are the hoppiest choices. If you’ve been paying attention to the tables so far, you may have already guessed #1:
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | IBU | Beer Rating | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzhugh Brewing | Retro 99 | IPA – Triple | 125 | New | |
| Breakaway Brewing Company | Super Domestique | IPA – Imperial / Double | 114 | 3.61 | |
| Lone Pint Brewery | The Jabberwocky | IPA – Imperial / Double | 114 | 3.89 | |
| Infamous Brewing Company | Double Tap | IPA – Imperial / Double | 103 | 3.8 | |
| No Label Brewing Company | Cali Boy | IPA – American | 90 | 3.78 | |
| Infamous Brewing Company | Sally Skull | Lager – IPL (India Pale Lager) | 80 | 3.7 | Pink Boots Society |
| Slot-T Beer Co. | Bowler Hat | IPA – Black / Cascadian Dark Ale | 75 | 3.67 | |
| Four Corners Brewing Company | El Chingón | IPA – American | 72 | 3.62 | |
| Good Line Beer Co. | Bitter Buffalo | IPA – American | 70 | 3.81 | |
| Live Oak Brewing Company | Krampus Punishment Ale | IPA – Red | 70 | 3.86 | |
| Power Brewing Project | West Coast IPA | IPA – American | 70 | 3.7 | |
| Spirit of Texas Brewstillery | Trip C 70 | IPA – American | 70 | New |
Top Rated Beers
Finally, here are the top rated beers overall for the festival. If you’re interested in anything on this list, get it early before it kicks:
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | ABV | Beer Rating | Special Location? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinthouse Brewing, Collaboration with Russian River Brewing Co. | Coastal Drift | IPA – Imperial / Double | 8% | 4.39 | |
| Pinthouse Brewing | Mosaic Takedown (2026) | IPA – American | 7.3% | 4.24 | |
| Zilker Brewing Company | Safety First | IPA – American | 6.75% | 4.19 | |
| SpindleTap Brewery | Juiceton | IPA – Imperial / Double New England / Hazy | 8% | 4.17 | |
| Jester King Brewery, Collaboration with St. Elmo Brewing Company | Coolship Carl | Wild Ale – American | 5.1% | 4.16 | PARTNERS in CRAFT: Collab Tent |
| Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Pumpkinator (2026) | Pumpkin / Yam Beer | 10.3% | 4.14 | |
| Vista Brewing | Fireside | Stout – Imperial / Double | 11.6% | 4.1 | |
| Grain Theory | Praetorian | Stout – Imperial / Double | 10% | 4.06 | |
| Megaton Brewery | These Boots Are Made For Hoppin! | IPA – New England / Hazy | 7% | 4.03 | Pink Boots Society |
| Save The World Brewing Co. | Chasing Broncos | IPA – New England / Hazy | 6.5% | 4.01 |
Rotating Taps
Finally, here is the data for the rotators!
| Brewery | Beer Name | Style | ABV | Beer Rating | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Country Organic Brewing Co. | Country Daze | Pilsner – Other | New | 12:30 | |
| Red Horn Brewing Co. | Bourbon Barrel Aged Suburban Ninja w/ Vanilla | Stout – Imperial / Double | 12% | 4.33 | 12:30 |
| Three Wide Brewing Co. | Abstract Idea | Farmhouse Ale – Saison | 7.1% | 3.6 | 12:30 |
| (512) Brewing Company | (512) Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter | Porter – Imperial / Double | 9.5% | 4.18 | 1:00 |
| Meanwhile Brewing Company, Collaboration with Westbound & Down Brewing Company | Stoked | IPA – American | 7% | 3.88 | 1:00 |
| Obsidian Brewery | Mango Sticky Rice | Lager – Japanese Rice | 5.2% | 3.85 | 1:00 |
| Central District Brewing | Bizarre Love Triangle | Sour – Fruited | 5.7% | 4.14 | 1:30 |
| Nomadic Beerworks | Snap’s Secret Stash | Lager – Japanese Rice | 6% | 3.89 | 1:30 |
| Talyard Brewing Company | From Crosby With Love | Pale Ale – American | New | 1:30 | |
| Frontyard Brewing | Guajillo Carajilo | Stout – Imperial / Double Coffee | New | 2:30 | |
| Hi Sign Brewing | Cellar Series: S’mores Millie | Brown Ale – Imperial / Double | 7.9% | 3.98 | 2:30 |
| Vista Brewing | Voisine – Oeno Beer Series | Farmhouse Ale – Other | 6.5% | New | 2:30 |
| Bankhead Brewing Co. | Higher Hood | Belgian Strong Dark Ale | New | 3:00 | |
| Grain Theory | 40 Watt Reserve (BA Old Fashioned Imp. Red Ale) | Red Ale – Imperial / Double | 11% | 3.72 | 3:00 |
| St. Elmo Brewing Company | Deluxe Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (2026) | Stout – Imperial / Double | 16% | 4.37 | 3:00 |
| Blue Owl Brewing | Lunch Box | Sour – Smoothie / Pastry | 5.7% | 3.84 | 3:30 |
| Smittox Brewing | Dulce De Leche Outta Order Porter | Porter – Coffee | 6% | 4.2 | 3:30 |
| Vector Brewing | Prince With A Thousand Enemies | Sour – Fruited | 6% | 4.24 | 3:30 |
| Good Line Beer Co., Collaboration with Pondaseta Brewing Company | All Hail West Texas | IPA – Imperial / Double | 8% | 3.92 | 4:00 |
| Martin House Brewing Company | Roadhouse Coffee | Stout – Imperial / Double Coffee | 16% | 4.24 | 4:00 |
| Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Funky Berry Christmas | Old / Stock Ale | 8.2% | 3.72 | 4:00 |
| Galveston Island Brewing | In A Pickle | Sour – Other Gose | 4.8% | 3.61 | 4:30 |
| Hold Out Brewing | Fresh Hop Celly Rippins | IPA – American | New | 4:30 | |
| Wild Barley Kitchen & Brewery | Spicy Cowboy Breakfast | Stout – Imperial / Double Oatmeal | New | 4:30 | |
| Jester King Brewery | Spon 3-year UK Blend (2026) | Wild Ale – American | 6% | 4.04 | 5:00 |
| The Brewtorium – Brewery & Kitchen | Tiramisu Deep Static | Porter – Other | New | 5:00 | |
| Zilker Brewing Company | Mexican Mocha Coffee Milk Stout | Stout – Milk / Sweet | New | 5:00 | |
| Lazarus Brewing Company | Big Bad Wolf | Stout – Imperial / Double | 11.5% | 4.21 | 5:30 |
| No Label Brewing Company | Perpetual Peace | Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy | 12.3% | 4.09 | 5:30 |
| Oddwood Brewing | Bleeding Hearts | Sour – Fruited | 5% | New | 5:30 |
