Local Craft Breweries in Houston County, TX (3)

Located in Houston, Moon Tower Inn attracts an eclectic, unpretentious crowd that gives you that small-town, everybody's-family feel. After a year’s hiatus and major renovation, they reopened in early 2013, offering “more the 60 different craft beers.” Though the space remains true to its previous form with the large patio and beer garden as the centerpiece, there are new elements such as an on-site brewing operation. They pump out some serious game dogs that are plump and meaty with over-the-top fillings, gourmet sausages such as the wild boar. In addition, Moon Tower also offers tons of specials, such as dollar beer nights, burgers and the monthly growlers giveaway. You won't have any problems finding space out on Moon Tower's covered patio or in their giant, fantastic yard. There are plenty of long wooden picnic tables to fill with friends, pints and sausages.

Known for an oil & gas motif, philanthropy with child-driven causes, and killin’ it in the haze craze, Spindletap Brewery features a comfortable taproom with four flat-screen televisions behind the bar and five more overlooking the made-on-site picnic tables. They offer a wide selection of craft beers including their well-made “Blonde Ale” which is a solid crossover beer to welcome newcomers to the local-brew scene. For timid beer drinkers, the “Boomtown Blonde” is a light and refreshing starter. Other offerings include “Hopper House Double IPA, Pale Ale, a Single-hop India Pale Ale and the Honey Hole ESB.” They have a spacious production area that includes a projector capable of beaming a 300-inch high-definition image on a blank wall. They also have an indoor and outdoor patio with a pizza food truck set up outside.

Stesti means “happiness” in Czech and Stesti Brewing Company hopes you can drink some from their glass or bottle. The brewery was originally called "Dej Bůh Štěstí" Brewing Company, or “God gives happiness”. The phrase is a traditional saying by Czech brewmasters. Owners Dennis and Ana Gore shortened it so it's easier to remember. The small family-owned brewery specializes in Czech-style beers. Master brewer Dennis is a surgeon and professor on most days, and studied his craft in Plzeň, Czech Republic under renowned Czech masters. Wife Ana is the brewery’s business manager. Unlike most breweries, they don't have a taproom. Instead, they only conduct tours and tastings at their beautiful property in Lovelady. They require a two-day advance notice, and there you can sample their flagship beers Pivo Pils and Bohemian Lager, and some seasonal varieties. Otherwise, check your local supermarkets for their bottled beers. Traditionally, Czech lagers come in bottles not cans.