One Man's Ceiling, Is Another Man's Floor

What the heck is going on in west Texas?  In January, I stopped in Alpine, Texas to enjoy a cold fresh beer at the Big Bend Brewery only to find the place shuttered.  Closed until further notice the sign on the door said. The last day of operations was December 31, 2018. I was surprised. I couldn’t believe it; how was this possible?  Big Bend Brewing was not some new fly by night operation; they had been around since 2012, won awards, rebounded from the passing of their head brewer and by all accounts had made their far west Texas brewery a success.  Even Google didn’t seem to know the place was closed still listing operating hours.  On the brewery's Facebook page, they blamed “ challenging macroeconomic conditions affecting investment in the craft beer sector. ” So what happened?  Tough competition, too small of a market, too many breweries, high costs? Well, it’s a bit more complicated.  Alpine’s Big Bend pined for the glamour of the...

Back in October 2018 USA Today quoted President Trump saying that he has “never had a beer in my life.”  The POTUS was responding to questions asked him about Brett Kavanaugh.  Trump said, “I watched him.  I was surprised at how vocal he was about the fact that he likes beer.” Kavanaugh on beer Lots of politicians like beer.  I was able to find random photographs of Barack Obama, Bush 45 [non-alcoholic beer], Bill Clinton [and Hillary], Bush 41, and even Ronald Reagan.  Again, Trump is shoving aside presidential norms.  How is a voter to decide if this is a guy you can have a beer with if the guy has never even tasted a beer?  I think Brett Kavanaugh would disapprove. U.S. Presidents have long championed beer and brewing.  Washington was a brewer, Jefferson once owned a beer-house, Madison once tried to create a national brewery.  Then there’s Jimmy Carter the brother of infamous Billy Carter and his Billy Beer.  But, cra...

Beer drinkers in Texas have a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow beer connoisseurs, taste some foamy beers, and get some some exercise, all while supporting worthwhile local causes. Run in Texas i s an organization that holds various fun runs throughout the state. There is one event particularly geared to beer lovers --- The Texas 5K Six Pack Beer Challenge . Now in its fourth season, the 6-Pack involves 5K races at different independent craft breweries.  From San Marcos to Galveston, Goliad to Katy and others in between, if you can get across the finish line, you are rewarded with a finisher’s pint glass and four tokens each good for an 8 oz pour of tasty craft beer.  At least eight brewery runs are held from March through December and everyone who completes six runs, receives a custom finisher’s medal. Each race benefits a local charity, including women’s centers and humane societies.  So racing fees go to good causes and good beer. While these are races,...

One of the lost pleasures of my generation is the enjoyment of a great Kentucky bourbon whiskey. One of my favorites is Booker’s. Made by Jim Beam. Booker Noe (Jim Beam’s grandson) introduced Booker’s to some of his close friends. It was so well received that Noe decided to share it with the public in 1988.  Unique among bourbons, Booker's tastes like nothing else. I enjoy drinking it straight without ice. Though many of my contemporaries prefer it on ice. Booker’s is uniquely bottled straight from the barrel it is uncut and unfiltered. It is high proof between 121 and 127 and is aged six to eight years. I am paying about $50.00 for a 750 ml bottle.

The Catholic Church ensures there are saints to watch over all the important things in life. Beer is definitely on that list. Saint Arnold or Arnold of Soissons, is the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers. Saint Arnold was a brewer who promoted the health benefits of his beer to the local towns folks telling them it would give them the “gift of health”.  What better namesake could there be for a Houston, Texas brewery that calls itself Texas’ Oldest Craft Brewery. Saint Arnold Brewing Company shipped its first keg of beer on June 9, 1994, becoming the first microbrewery in Houston. They are an institution in the city. One of the fun things Saint Arnold does is host pub crawls. February 16, 2019, was the first pub crawl of the new year. The concept is fairly simple. The brewery partners up with five or six drinking establishments in one area. Everyone has an hour to show up and pile into the first bar where they get a punch ticket with the names of all the s...