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There are so many micro-breweries in Texas it is hard to decide where to begin, but here are a few of my favorite places. As always, please drink responsibly.
One of my favorite places is Bad Astronaut in Houston, TX. They are located in the older part of downtown Houston and parking is a little limited, but the beer and atmosphere make up for it. There is plenty of great beers on Tap and you can see the brewing process from the bar. They have a huge open indoor area with plenty to do for the guys. There are pool tables, foosball tables, shuffleboard tables and of course corn hole boards. So plenty to do with your buddies while having a great cold brew. Brewery | Bad Astronaut Brewing Co. | Houston (badastronautbeer.com)
Next would be Back Pew Brewing in Porter, TX. This is an old Baptist church that has been converted into a brewery. They have several different types of beer to choose from. It has a great atmosphere with a huge outdoor area for activities. They also have a food truck outside to get your snacks. They have live bands there often on the weekends so plenty of entertainment for you and the guys. Be sure to check out their website for details on events and operating hours. www.backpewbrewing.com
Saint Arnolds is next on my list in Houston. I love their amber ale. This is a really great Amber beer and my go to beer every time i am there. Great indoor area to hang out in and have a few brews with your buddies. Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Texas' Oldest Craft Brewery
I was recently in San Antonio and stopped by Free Tail Brewing. Loved it there. They have a India Pale Ale that i really like. There are several different beers to taste and try, surely you will find one that you enjoy. Great people and a great atmosphere. Large indoor sitting area and great food. Hang With a Local. - Freetail Brewing Company
If you are ever in Shiner Tx.: STOP and check out Shiner Brewery. This is the oldest independent brewery in Texas. Really cool place with lots of history. The folks here are really knowledgeable on the history of Shiner and happy to talk to you about it. Their Light Blonde is my personal favorite. They offer daily brewery tours if you are interested in seeing their process, check their website for details on that as I have not done the tour in several years, so I am sure prices have changed.
Visit the Shiner Brewery in Shiner Texas and Enjoy a FREE Drink (visitshiner.com)
There are several different manufacturers of BBQ pits but here is my take on a few of them.
There are hundreds of different BBQ pits/ smokers out there today. From the Green Egg to the Oklahoma Joe Smokers. I have even seen the good ole Weber charcoal grill be used to smoke meat on. It basically all comes down to what you want. Do you want to grill meat or smoke meat? A meal ready fairly quickly or long and slow with low temperatures. This usually depends on the situation, right? Is it a few buddies coming over to hang out in the pool and chill all day with a great brisket and ribs to feast on in the evening, or is it just an evening meet up with burgers and brews?
I personally own all three different types of pits. It all depends on what i am going to be doing as to which one i am going to use, but honestly, the Weber charcoal grill gets the most use around here. I enjoy lighting up the Weber and letting the charcoal get to temp while I mingle with friends or family. I like the smell of the charcoal or wood burning honestly. I do not use lighter fluid though, i have one of those electric charcoal starters. I love this thing, keeps the meat from tasting like lighter fluid.
My smoker pit is a homemade pit, with a fire box off to the side and two large lids with lots of grilling room for ribs, steaks, briskets or beer can chickens. I only use this when we have large gatherings, and a lot of meat needs to be cooked. This is long and slow process, typically involving all day and lots of buddies to help tell stories, drink a few beverages and just relax as the pit does the work once we get it up to temp. I prefer to use Oak wood myself; it is not as harsh as mesquit wood. I like to add in some pecan wood also to give the meat a little different flavor. Once the pit is up to temp, there really is not a lot to do as the goal is to maintain a low temp (between 220-240).
When I want a fast meal and just doing a few steaks or burgers, the ole gas grill is going to used. It is quick, simple, and reliable. Just turn on the gas and get it going, ready for meat in no time and easy to clean up.
I have buddies that own the green Egg or similar products, and they love them. I just do not own one so hard for me to write an honest opinion or review on one. If you are interested in one, I would highly recommend finding a couple of buddies that have them and see what they think of them before buying one as they are quite pricey.
The Best Cigars Around.
There are literally thousands of Cigars out there to choose from. Step into any humidor at a local liquor store and you find hundreds of different brands to choose from. Each one with its own distinct smell, size, and taste features. Cigars international online carries a huge selection if online shopping is more convenient for you. Here are some of my favorites and where to find them.
Padron Cigars are considered the premier cigar by most Texas men. They are extremely smooth and rich in flavor making them a top cigar for anybody who wants to have a great cigar experience. Looking for a great father's day gift or groomsmen gift, look no further than your local cigar shop. The Padron 1926 is one of the best available! Padron Cigars are commonly found at Specs Liquor locations and other fine Cigar shops such as Finks Cigars in San Antonio, TX.
Perdomo cigars. These are the next "go to" cigars for anyone wanting to try a great cigar but a little more affordable for a special occasion. These also make great gifts as any Cigar Guy will love them. I personally love the Perdomo Texas edition. These are especially hard to find, but when you find them: BUY them. Perdomo makes a limited quantity of these and Perdomo does not sell in all shops, so finding Perdomo Cigars can be a challenge at times. Nacogdoches Cigar Company in Nacogdoches Tx. has a great selection of Perdomo cigars if you happen to be in that part of our great state. Also, a little shop in New Braunfels Tx called Leaf and Barrel carry them.
AJ Fernandez is next on the list. I love the HOYO cigar in their line and it is my daily go to cigar for all occasions as it is a great cigar for the price, about 7 dollars each at your local Spec's store. Not all Specs carry them, but i have been able to find them at several different Specs locations in Texas. I have seen these at several weddings where the grooms give his groomsmen cigars to enjoy throughout the night.
Finks Cigars in San Antonio, TX is a great shop and carry their own line of fine cigars. These cigars align with great flavor and easy pull as some of more expensive cigars, but at a more affordable price. I love to go into this shop and hang out, have a smoke while talking to other guys.
A great cigar paired with a smooth Texas whiskey and good friends is a great way to finish off an evening. Just sitting around a pool, a hot tub, or outdoor fireplace and catching up with your buddies on Saturday night makes for some great memories. No hurries and no worries.
The Best Rivers to Float in Texas
Looking for a great way to chill out in the Texas heat with your buddies? Grab a tube and your favorite beverages and head to one of the following rivers in Texas to relax and catch up with friends all while staying cool. Please remember: Drink responsibly or have a DD to ensure everyone has a great time.
1.The Comal River located in New Braunfels, Tx. This is very popular spot here in Texas and can be quite busy in the summer. It is typically about a two hour float and one of the nice things about it is that you can walk back to start and float it again.
The Frio River in Concan, Tx. Frio is Spanish for cold, so be prepared, getting into this river will make any man shrink! There are local outfitters where you can park and rent tubes, they will drop you off at the starting point and also pick you up at the end returning you to your vehicles. Once again, make sure you check the local rules around containers allowed before going.
The Gaudalupe River is also located in New Braunfels, Tx. There are numerous spots along the river to float. There are numerous outfitters in New Braunfels as well as Spring Branch, Tx and other Texas cities, to get you set up to float. Spring Branch seems to be one of the most popular spots to start at with several outfitters handy at this location. This river float typically runs in two or four hour floats, depending on how much rain we have had and how fast the river is moving. I personally love this river to float. There are rentals (VRBO'S) and such along the river to make for the perfect summer getaway with your buddies. Some of these are right on the river with water access you can just walk down to the water with your coolers, plop down and watch all the tubers come floating by. Makes it really nice at the end of the day to just get up and walk back up to your rental.
All of these rivers are very popular and very busy during the summer months when school is out. My favorite time to go is right after school starts back in early September before the cool weather starts and the water is just to cold to handle. Remember to always check with the local container laws for the river you going to and remember to drink responsibly.
Coolers/ice chest:
Every Texan has a variety of coolers in his garage. There are many different manufacturers out there from the Coleman coolers that our parents had to the newer Yeti’s. I have several different brands and different size coolers; it all depends on the outing which one is going to get used. For instance, heading to the river for a week of floating, the old 120-quart Coleman is coming out along with newer small coolers for daily use. The huge 120 quart is great for packing all the stuff that is needed when you get there and once there loading up with ice to keep the drinks cold, or a watermelon to chill out in. The smaller coolers are needed for the river floats and just chilling in the river as no one wants to be lugging 120-quart cooler loaded with drinks and ice down a 100-yard walkway!
So, let’s look at some of the most popular cooler manufacturers out there today.
1. Coleman has been around for years and continues to be a great cooler. They are tuff as heck, hold ice well and last for years. The hinges do seem to wear out and break every couple of years, but these coolers are so popular that replacement parts are readily available at local grocery stores and sporting stores where the coolers are sold. new handles, hinges and latches every couple of years and your Coleman cooler will be around for years to come.
2. Igloo is another great cooler that has been around for years. They too come in a variety of sizes, colors, and construction materials. Another great cooler to have on hand and use. Personally have one of the 10-gallon drink coolers. Great for big family gatherings and parties. They also have parts readily available for replacement when they break. These coolers are affordable and do a great job of keeping things cold.
3. Yeti coolers have been around for a while now and are great at keeping ice. I have one, but probably won’t buy another one since you can not replace the zippers on them once they break. Everyone I know that has one, has tossed a great looking cooler in the trash due to the zipper breaking and no way to repair or replace it. These coolers are very expensive and tossing one in the trash hurts, all over a simple zipper. I loved the cooler when I first got it and used it heavily on river trips as it floats and keeps the drinks really well all day long, but now it is just sitting collecting dust.
4. RTIC coolers are great coolers also. I love these coolers as they are rugged and built to last. I have a couple of different sized ones. I use them a lot. Affordable and reliable. Great cooler to have around.
5. Bucees coolers. I know I know, it is a Texas thing. I have a couple of these coolers and I got to say: for the price, they are hard to beat! We bought one a road trip to carry some cold stuff home when I didn’t have a cooler in the truck with me and I got to say: I am impressed with them. They are a great cooler for the price and most of my buddies have replaced their Yeti’s with them since they are 1/3 the price and work great. Don’t hurt as bad when the zipper breaks on it and you have to toss it!
6. Cuddy is a newer cooler out there and I love it. I got the one that has wheels on it and floats. GREAT for going to the beach and pulling along or pulling to the pool side, versus having to carry it, and tossing in the water as it floats and holds ice great. This cooler is a huge hit at pool parties and everyone loved that it floated and had drink holders molded into the top to set the drinks in freeing up the hands for other things like tossing a ball to the kids.
There are several other cooler manufacturers out there and I am sure there are some great ones. These are the ones that I own, or have owned, and trust for my every day use or vacation use. I hope this helps some. Get outdoors and enjoy!
Milwaukee and DeWalt 18-volt power tools
Every Texan has a few battery operated power tools. There are numerous brands to choose from. From Craftsman, Ryobi, Makita, Milwaukee and DeWalt. Milwaukee and DeWalt are the top picks for serious DIY'ers, as they have most power and best warranties in the industry. Both are built for contractor type use and abuse and hold up extremely well in tuff conditions and heavy usage. I have had both: Milwaukee and DeWalt. I am currently using Milwaukee as they just seem to hold up a little better to me.
1. Performance: Both Milwaukee and DeWalt are reputable brands known for producing high-performance tools. They offer similar power output and can handle various tasks effectively. Be sure to check that the tool you choose is right for the job you are doing.
2. Battery Technology and Runtime: Milwaukee utilizes their Red Lithium battery technology, while DeWalt employs their XR Lithium-Ion batteries. Both provide long-lasting batteries and have their own charger systems.
3. Tool Selection: Both Milwaukee and DeWalt have a wide range of tools available in their 18-volt lineup. Consider the tools you require and ensure that the brand you choose offers the ones you need for your projects.
4. Ergonomics and Design: The ergonomics and design of the tools can affect your comfort and ease of use. It's advisable to handle the tools in person to get a sense of which brand's tools feel more comfortable for you.
5. Warranty and Support: Both Milwaukee and DeWalt generally offer good warranties and customer support. I personally have had great luck with Milwaukee warranty work.
I personally have had both. I have had great luck with both, Ultimately, the decision between Milwaukee and DeWalt 18-volt tools will depend on your personal preferences, the specific tools you require. Neither one is cheap, so I recommend you research specific tool models within each brand for the task you want to perform. Read reviews and ask friends to make an informed decision based on your needs. Either way I believe you will be greatly satisfied with either tool line.
