City Guide / Houston

A Local’s Guide to the 15 Best Breweries in Houston

By Emilia Benton | Jan 13, 2023
Drone shot of Karbach Brewing Co., one of the best breweries in Houston, Texas.

If you’re moving to the greater Houston area and have high hopes of finding a good brewery in Houston, you’ll be happy to know there is no shortage of options here. The Houston brewery scene has really exploded in the past several years, with the city now being home to more than 50 craft breweries.

While Houston certainly has older breweries it’s low-key famous for—including Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Karbach Brewing Company—there are so many lesser-known options to choose from, like Under the Radar and Equal Parts Brewing. Many breweries in the area also feature tours on the premises (typically without required appointments) for true beer nerds who love to see how their brews are made.

Here in Clutch City, there’s no doubt you’re going to be able to try all types of craft beers, from IPAs to pale ales and even fruity sours, but Houston is widely known for the category of hazy IPAs, with several Houston breweries working to perfect it. Many area breweries also feature full food menus or a regular rotation of food trucks on standby for when your hunger pangs strike.

Should you find a brewery that really strikes your fancy but is a bit of a trek from home, you can often find their beers at Texas-staple retailers like Spec’s and H-E-B, especially when it comes to limited releases.

Looking to explore the Houston brewery scene? Here are the 15 best breweries in Houston, including:

  1. Saint Arnold Brewing Company
  2. Karbach Brewing Co.
  3. SpindleTap Brewery
  4. Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.
  5. Under the Radar Brewery
  6. 8th Wonder Brewery
  7. Lone Pint Brewery
  8. Ingenious Brewing Company
  9. Walking Stick Brewing Company
  10. Baileson Brewing Co.
  11. Holler Brewing Co.
  12. True Anomaly Brewing Company
  13. Equal Parts Brewing
  14. Eureka Brewing Co.
  15. No Label Brewing Company

Let’s get started!

1. Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Located east of downtown Houston, Saint Arnold is the oldest craft brewery in Texas and continues to deliver beverages and beyond today. Visitors can try classics like its refreshing Fancy Lawnmower, Harmony hazy IPA, and margarita-inspired Hideaway with salt and lime flavors.

This brewery’s ciders, hard seltzers, and wine all pair nicely with its versatile food menu, which includes a “fire emoji” hot chicken sandwich, fish and chips, and more. Saint Arnold’s classic burger and fries never disappoint (they’re actually my go-to meal after the Houston Marathon every year!).

This establishment is also kid-friendly and dog-friendly, with plenty of space to spread out and lounge or play games in its expansive beer garden.

2. Karbach Brewing Co.

Located in the Spring Branch area of Houston, Karbach Brewing serves craft beers that are a hometown favorite for many Houstonians. Whether you choose its classic Love Street blonde ale (which currently has special fruity takes such as Citrus and Peach), its Hopadillo IPA, or its Ranch Water lime hard seltzer, you’re sure to find something to please your palate here.

This brewery also has a restaurant and patio featuring mouth-watering options like Korean fried chicken and a fried shrimp po’boy sandwich.

3. SpindleTap Brewery

If you love IPAs, you have to check out SpindleTap in north Houston. With an oil rig right in its logo, this brewery declares to “take Texas beer seriously,” featuring favorites like its Hop Gusher IPA, Hopkeem DIPA, the Juicetron Double IPA, and the Houston Haze IPA with notes of guava, pineapple, and grapefruit. SpindleTap also has food options, from wood-fired pizza to Taco Tuesday and Wednesday Steak-Night specials.

4. Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. is a neighborhood staple for craft beer in Houston Heights. This popular brewery features true-to-style classics like its More Cowbell IPA and Crush City IPA, along with unique flavors like its Black Raz Stout, Peanut Butter Wake ‘N Bake Coffee Blonde, and ice cream-inspired Dreamsicle.

Buffalo Bayou Co. also has an upstairs patio with views of the Houston skyline and an onsite restaurant that offers a weekend brunch menu and street food favorites like tacos and corn in a cup.

5. Under the Radar Brewery

As the name implies, this smaller brewery is still under many Houstonians’ radar. Located between Midtown and the Museum District, Under the Radar Brewery features the Hazy Town hazy IPA, Dirty Blonde ale, and fruit-inspired brews like its Raspberry Love hefeweizen and Passion Truck Pilsner. Under the Radar also has a spacious beer garden with games, four TVs, and regularly stationed food trucks. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food.

6. 8th Wonder Brewery

Located in EaDo, the Astrodome-inspired 8th Wonder is a popular Houston-centric spot among Astros fans who want to hang out with a beer before or after a baseball game or watch it on TV from less than a mile away from Minute Maid Park. With its Rocket Fuel, Vietnamese-coffee infused Porter, Haterade Gose, Dome Faux’m cream ale, and its newer High Grade West Coast IPA, this brewery makes it easy to try new beers new every time you visit. 8th Wonder’s expansive yard often hosts pop-up markets and a food truck to grab a quick bite with your brews as well.

7. Lone Pint Brewery

Located about 45 miles north of Houston in Magnolia, TX, this brewery is well worth the drive for those willing to take on the outing. Lone Point Brewery is known for its famous Yellow Rose IPA—known to be one of the landmark beers that brought the hazy IPA style to Houston—along with its golden The Jabberwocky Imperial IPA and Apple Brandy Tornado Shark.

This eco-friendly brewery also composts its hops and sends spent grain to a local dairy farmer who uses it to feed his cows.

8. Ingenious Brewing Company

Located 19 miles north of Houston in Humble, TX, Ingenious is another brewery that remains low on the radar of many city dwellers. But if you’re a fruity beer or sweet-treat aficionado, this brewery is the spot for you. Ingenious changes its lineup of brews regularly, serving hoppy beers like the Infinity Hopped Triple NEIPA and unique, dessert-inspired ales like the Tangerine Creamsicle Double FroYo and the Barrel-Aged Ice Cream Sundae. Ingenious Brewing Company also always has a food truck on standby for when the munchies strike.

9. Walking Stick Brewing Company

Another Heights neighborhood fixture, Walking Stick Brewing Company features everything from a classic Bierstadt blonde ale to a Sunlight/Mountain Berry Belgian Saison with notes of blueberry and blackberry. Those always eager to have some food with their brews can grab brew bites at Twiggy’s or from the rotating lineup of food trucks that frequent this hangout.

10. Holler Brewing Co.

If you’re sensing a theme of the Heights neighborhood being brewery central, you’re not far off. Located in Sawyer Yards, Holler Brewing Co. offers a versatile selection of beers, including its Looyah Milk Stout, Dollar Pils Ya’ll, and Don’t Be Tarty to the Party cherry limeade Berlinerweisse (all of which are available to-go in cans!).

Note that this brewery doesn’t serve food aside from popcorn to snack on, but it does frequently have a pop-up chef onsite serving up tacos and burgers.

11. Baileson Brewing Co.

Located in the Rice Village District in West University, Baileson is a newer brewpub that’s a great spot to decompress after some shopping or to just spend any given afternoon. From its Healer imperial stout to its Masinghorn American IPA and Structural Breakfast Stout, this is the place for those who love unique beers without any extra frills.

12. True Anomaly Brewing Company

Another EaDo staple, True Anomaly offers a wide variety of options for beer lovers, from unique takes on old favorites, as well as original barrel-aged creations. Specializing in sour and Belgian-style ales, highlights here include its Rocket Park pale ale and Beryl Sour. Guests are also allowed to bring in their own food or purchase food from the trucks that frequent the space.

13. Equal Parts Brewing

Located in Houston’s Second Ward, dog-friendly Equal Parts Brewing offers everything from a strong Sigma IPA to its Exotica Saturn Sour Ale and Kaizen Red Amber Lager, making it clear there’s something for everyone at this lesser-known spot. The taproom typically has food available to order five days a week, and guests are also allowed to bring their own or order delivery.

14. Eureka Brewing Co.

Yet another Heights staple, Eureka Brewing Co. offers more unique offerings for anyone doing an unofficial neighborhood brewery tour. Offerings include its Mini Boss IPA, Buckle Bunny Cream Ale, Fruity Hazy Haze Juice IPA, and even a light beer. Named for the Eureka Heights fault system, which runs under the brewery, Eureka Brewing Co. is a fun hangout for your next social gathering.

15. No Label Brewing Company

Located in Katy, TX, a suburb located about 30 miles west of Houston, No Label is one of Houston’s first craft breweries, featuring beer classics like Gilley’s Blonde Ale, El Hefe Hefeweizen, and its 1980 Kolsch for light drinking. If you live in or near Katy and are a devoted beer nerd, this will likely become a mainstay, especially with its bustling online calendar that also features a social running club, Bingo nights, and scheduled food trucks.

Want to explore the craft brewery scene in Houston?

If you’re a beer aficionado thinking about moving to Houston for its craft beer and breweries, you won’t be disappointed with the region’s offerings of great beer. And, if you’re looking for a place to live, be sure to check out Landing, which offers fully furnished apartments in Houston with flexible leases that make it easy to stay in town on your terms!

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Emilia Benton

Emilia Benton is a freelance writer and editor living in her hometown of Houston. She received her B.A. in journalism with minors in Spanish and women's studies from Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. Emilia primarily covers health and wellness, as well as personal finance, education, culture, and more. Her work has been published by Runner's World, Women's Health, SELF, SHAPE, and the Houston Chronicle, among others. She is also an 11-time marathoner, frequent traveler, and avid amateur baker.