June 2025 Houston Beer (and Astros) Trip
Pam and I recently made the trek from Austin to Houston for a weekend getaway centered around two things: beer and baseball. The Astros delivered with a thrilling ninth-inning walk-off against the Twins, and Houston’s beer scene brought its own kind of fireworks. From small neighborhood spots to iconic institutions, we explored the full spectrum of the Bayou City beer scene and even snuck in a few surprises.
The Warm-Up: Hound Song Brewing (Columbus, TX)
Our Houston journey kicked off with a pit stop in Columbus at Hound Song Brewing. Tucked into a revitalized corner of the historic downtown, this place impressed us right away with hearty food (the Schnitzel sandwich is the only correct order), a relaxed small-town vibe, and genuinely friendly folks behind the bar. It’s the kind of detour that turns into a tradition.
Touchdown in Houston
We stayed just north of downtown in a tiny home tucked under the train tracks—a little dusty, a little loud, but full of charm and character. It made a perfect home base for hopping around the city’s beer-rich neighborhoods. Speaking of which, the next three were in close walking distance:
Bad Astronaut Brewing
Industrial, energetic, and unapologetically fun, Bad Astronaut felt like a party waiting to happen. The beer was solid, but the lack of AC reminded us just how much we appreciate a good breeze in June. That said, the vibe was contagious, and the warehouse space buzzed with weekend energy. Younger crowd, but definitely a fun, upcoming vibe with good beer out of the gate.
Gristworkz
Gristworkz stood out as our hands down favorite new find of the trip. Situated right between Bad Astronaut and Saint Arnolds, it offered what might be the best happy hour in Houston (half off all beer, great food discounts, its like nothing I have seen anywhere). Also, they apparently have a corn special on certain days (10 bucks for a corn dog, a shot of blue corn whiskey and a Corn Star beer). Excellent beer, great service from fun staff, and a very decidedly F1 vibe. This one goes on the repeat list.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
No Houston beer trip is complete without a pilgrimage to Saint Arnold, the city’s original craft brewery. The cathedral-like beer hall, the impeccable service, the always-consistent beer; it’s all part of the Saint Arnold experience. They treated us like old friends, and the appreciation is mutual. It almost feels like a pilgrimage walking into the beer hall.
Holler Brewing Co.
Small, stylish, and social, Holler Brewing delivered exactly what we hoped for: an intimate setting with thoughtfully made beer and a cool crowd. It’s the kind of place where you settle in without meaning to. Apparently a couple of the owners of Gristworkz are regulars which is how we found out about Gristworkz. That, in and of itself, made it worth the trip.
Elder Son Brewing
Elder Son was another solid stop with a fresh feel. The bartender was a one-person rock show; quick with recommendations, heavy on personality. For a relatively new spot, it already feels comfortable in its own skin. Another great, small neighborhood bar vibe.
Social Beer Garden HTX
If you like your beer with a side of loud music and downtown buzz, Social Beer Garden HTX delivers. The beer list pulled from a wide range of Houston breweries, and while it wasn’t exactly our scene for a chill pint, it’s a good stop for sampling breadth in one place. Quick synopsis – very thorough beer list, bring earplugs.
Axelrad Beer Garden
Quirky and quintessentially Houston, Axelrad leans into its artsy, youthful energy. Swings, neon, quirky merchants, a weird avant garde musical experience and a sea of locals made for an entertaining visit. The beer selection was solid, but the people-watching stole the show.
Southern Yankee Crafthouse
Easily the best food and beer combo of the trip. Montrose’s Southern Yankee balances elevated pub fare with an impressive tap list. The staff was outstanding, the beer was creative and clean, and the food alone is worth the drive across town. Only hiccup on this one, was that an ambulance had to show up mid-visit to assist a patron. All was well and the staff did not miss a beat.
Poison Girl
A dive bar detour in Montrose led us to Poison Girl—a punky, pinball-filled institution with a small (but workable) craft selection. This isn’t a beer destination, but it is absolutely a vibe. Loud, packed, and full of character, it reminded us why we love the unexpected stops and Pam and I are always a sucker for local dive.
Breakfast Bonus: Vargas Morning Bloom
Before heading home, we stumbled upon Vargas’s Morning Bloom Cafe, a cozy mom-and-pop breakfast spot that deserves every bit of attention it gets. Homemade, heartfelt, and wonderfully Houston. Not beer-related, but worth the shoutout.
Final Pour
Between the unforgettable Astros finish and the wide array of Houston breweries—each with its own personality—this was a trip that makes me realize that I am often too negative on the city of Houston (blame the traffic and humidity). Houston has a lot to offer for beer enthusiasts and we barely scratched the surface on this trip. There are plenty of other favorites that we did not have time to visit on this trip, which is a reason to return.
Have a favorite Houston brewery we missed? Let us know on socials.
Cheers,
David
