Well, we’re getting a little tired of playing it safe, so we figured an article like this would stir up some controversy. Love this list or hate it, we hope you have an opinion on it and are willing to chime in. Just know that our criteria involves year-round brews only with no seasonals or specialty brews. These year-round brews are also packaged and available for purchase at your local corner store, grocery store, or liquor store.
We love Texas beer, but there are some beers that are go-to favorites so we wanted to highlight our top 5 beers. If you love it, let us know. If you hate it, let us know. If you’ve never tried it, go out and buy some, then let us know.
Community Beer Company Legion
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 10%
IBU: 70
Glass: Snifter
Intensely powerful; this beer has a strong sweet cocoa and roasted malt flavor. Even though this is a strong beer, it finishes clean and doesn’t taste bitter at all. Pours dark, almost black and laces beautifully in the glass.
Hops & Grain ALTeration
Style: Altbier
ABV: 5.1%
IBU: 40
Glass: Pint (Stange if you prefer traditional German methods)
The roasted nutty malt hits you immediately when you take your first sip. Notes of caramel are present throughout and has a bit of sweetness to the flavor. This beer pours a deep brown color and is slightly dry at the finish.
Big Bend Brewing Hefeweizen
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 12
Glass: Weizen
Perfection in a glass. That was what I said the first time I tried this beer. Unbelievably rich with citrus and clove flavors throughout. The spice hits at the finish and is one of the smoothest beers you can drink. Pours a pale unfiltered golden color with a creamy off-white head.
Independence Stash IPA
Style: India Pale Ale
ABV: 7%
IBU: 94
Glass: Goblet
A very dank IPA with hop-forward characteristics throughout. There are quite a bit of pine and citrus flavors that should please your palette on the finish. The hoppiness masks the higher ABV, which makes this an easy drink. The pour is a light copper gold with medium level carbonation.
Real Ale Hans’ Pils
Style: German-style Pilsner
ABV: 5.3%
IBU: 50
Glass: Pilsner
An oddly hoppy pilsner that is amply carbonated. There is quite a grainy aroma to the beer that almost smells like straw. The pilsner malt flavor helps make this beer crisp with flavor. Pours as a very pale golden color and laces beautifully in the glass.