Top 3 Microbrews in Texas

Micro-Breweries in Texas have as much history as the Lone Star State itself. Steeped in Texas innovation and traditional German and Czech techniques, the micro-breweries in Texas are some of the best you can find. But what are the best of the micro brews in Texas? If you want a good quality native Texan beer, which one do you choose?

Texas Beers are more than just conventional barley and hops. They are a combination of true historic brewing techniques, family, creativity, hard work, and integrity. There are over 20 micro breweries in the state of Texas, making over 100 micro brews. The top three micro brews in Texas are Shiner HefeWeizen, Big Bark, and St Arnold Summer Pils.

Big Bark Amber, from the Live Oak Brewing Company in Austin, is one of the smoothest amber brews I have ever tasted. Made with Czech and German malts and German hops, this coppery honey colored beer is not too "hoppy", lightly nutty and a bit citrusy in flavor, and has a very smooth finish. It is not overly carbonated and it has a medium to small cream colored head, leaving a pretty decent lace. It is a Vienna styled lager and is described by the brewers themselves as "All Bark, No Bite". If you are someone who is not a fan of or not familiar with amber beers, this one is a good place to start since it is a bit milder than most amber beers. You can find this beer in restaurants and pubs all over the Austin area, San Marcos, Wimberley, Dallas, Ft Worth, Houston, etc.

Micro Brew: Big Bark

Brewery: Live Oak Brewing Company

Address: 3301 E 5^th Street Austin, TX

Phone: 512-385-2299

Website: www.liveoakbrewing.com

St Arnold Summer Pils, from the St Arnold Brewing Company in Houston is a good Texas rendition of a Bohemian-type pilsner. Like it's name suggests, it is a great summer time brew. Light enough to eat with steaks off the grill or some good Tex-Mex, Summer Pils is one of my summertime picks. It pours a pale gold color and has a medium to high carbonation. Lemon grass is the aroma that comes to mind and even that is a slight. It is a little malty and like most of St Arnold's brews is a little sweet. Made from Durst Pils Malt and two different European Hops, this beer took on many variations before St Arnold rolled out the first barrel. It is a little hoppier in flavor that I prefer but is still one of the top micro brews in Texas. And for the record, St Arnold Brewing Company is the oldest craft brewer in Texas.

Micro Brew: Summer Pils

Brewery: St Arnold's Brewing Company

Address: 2000 Lyons Ave. Houston, TX

Phone: 713-686-9494

Website: www.starnold.com

Shiner HefeWeizen, from Shiner Beers in Shiner, is my favorite home grown wheat beer. Like any traditional wheat beer, it is a hazy golden color. It has a light yeast flavor and the aroma of vanilla, a hint of banana, little orange, and cloves. It is not bitter at all and is actually very creamy in texture. If you are not familiar with wheat beers, it's best to drink them with a nice wedge of lemon to enhance the flavor. Shiner HefeWeizen is made with lemon and orange zest, clover honey, and yeast. It's not quite as traditional as I would like a wheat beer to be, but it is still a really good Hefeweizen. Shiner has been brewing in Texas since 1909, survived prohibition and even though it has changed owners a few times, is still brewed completely in Texas. However, now you can find Shiner beers in 14 states.

Micro Brew: Shiner HefeWeizen

Brewery: Shiner Beers (the old Spoetzle Brewery)

Address: 603 John Hybner Way, Shiner, TX

Website: www.shiner.com

All of the breweries above do have tours available. Try all of their variations, you won't be disappointed.