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    5 BREWERIES IN HOUSTON YOU NEED TO VISIT

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    It’s heating up in Houston and sometimes, there’s no better way to beat the heat than with an ice cold beer (or two) right? With the rise of craft beer in the last few years, you better believe that Houston has some great craft breweries to visit. Here are 5 local craft breweries with all the IPA’s, blondes, pale ales, sours and more! Enjoy & please drink responsibly. 

    Karbach Brewing Company is a craft brewery that started in 2011 and offers a variety of beers like Wheat, IPA, Pale Ale and my favorite: Blonde, Love Street. Karbach Brewery also offers a restaurant with delicious options like their Cake & Bacon Bakery Pretzel and Karbach Burger – and we can’t forget the good times in the biergarten with live music! 
    Phone: 713-680-8886
    Location: 2032 Karbach St, Houston, TX 77092
    Website:     www.karbachbrewing.com

     

    Saint Arnold Brewing Company is Texas’ oldest craft brewery that began brewing in 1994! This brewery offers year round beer like the popular Art Car IPA (inspired by Houston’s annual parade, The Art Car Parade) and Lawnmower, seasonal beer like my favorite: Oktoberfest and beer series like the Bishop’s Barrel Series of barrel aged beers. For many years, the brewery has offered fun brewery tours. A few years ago, they added a restaurant and beer garden perfect to hang out with friends and checking out the displayed Art Cars all while overlooking the downtown Houston skyline!
    Phone: 713-686-9494
    Location: 2000 Lyons Ave Houston, TX 77020
    Website: www.saintarnold.com

     

    8th Wonder Brewery + Distillery is named after the beloved Houston Astrodome which was the first air-conditioned domed stadium that was named the ‘8th Wonder of the World’. When you visit this unique brewery, you can taste year round beers like the Hopston (Texas IPA), seasonal beers like the Brewston (Texas Pale Ale), Hip-Hop Series beers like the Brew GK (Candy Apple Kolsch) and on draft beers like the Cougar Paw (Red Ale – #GoCoogs!). Also, 8th Wonder has it’s own distillery and distilled vodka and hop-infused gin! Oh and let’s not forget their awesome merchandise.
    Phone: 713-581-BEER (713-581-2337)
    Location: 2202 Dallas Street | 2201 Dallas Street, Houston TX 77003
    Website: www.8thwonder.com

     

    Eureka Heights Brewery is located above the Eureka Heights fault system in Houston, hence the cool name. This brewery offers beers with lower ABV% so that you can fully taste the flavors. One of my favorites is the Buckle Bunny (Cream Ale).  There is plenty of seating with picnic tables for you and your friends to enjoy!
    Phone: 832-953-4677
    Location: 941 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008
    Website: www.eurekaheights.com

     

    Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company began in 2011 and most recently opened their three story building with a restaurant and a view of the downtown skyline! It is considered Houston’s most creative brewery as they have created various unique beers like minty stouts, pink beers, but also my favorite: Great White Buffalo (Witbier). I first tasted this beer when I joined the BON Running Club in Rice Village (3-mile run around Rice University Campus on Tuesdays, a beer token is given at Little Woodrow’s afterwards).
    Phone: 713-750-9795
    Location: 2101 Summer St, Houston, TX 77007
    Website: www.buffbrew.com

     

    Which brewery will you try next?

    If you like this recommendation, make sure to share this post with a friend and tag @atastefultrip on Instagram.- Zoraida

    COMMON BOND BISTRO & BAKERY REVIEW: SPRING LOCATION

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    Common Bond Bistro & Bakery opened its doors in Houston’s Montrose area back in 2014 and has been a neighborhood favorite for French-style pastries and delicious coffee (their lavender latte is my favorite!) ever since. Now, the bakery offers delicious savory dishes by Savory Chef, Jason Gould and has expanded to more neighborhoods! Their newest location is at CityPlace in Springwoods Village in Spring, Texas. It is actually the only Common Bond location with a full bar and lounge! 

    Here’s a review of the savory dishes that I tasted on my recent visit to the Spring location hosted by Common Bond Bistro & Bakery. I know you’ll love these dishes as much as I do! 

    I put on a face mask and visited the Spring location on a weekday in the afternoon and was happy to see free parking, outdoor patio and friendly staff members when I arrived. They also have social distancing measures in place like QR codes for virtual menus, paper menus to throw away after one use, less than 30% seating capacity and 6 feet apart (or 3 French baguettes) markers that I thought were pretty funny and clever!

     

    Savory Dishes

    Specialty 

    Shrimp & Grits
    Includes: blackened gulf shrimp, cheese grits, creole sauce, cherry tomatoes, apple-wood smoked bacon, herb salad

    Wow – this dish! I immediately smelled the creole sauce and the freshness of the gulf shrimp as soon as Chef Jason Gould placed the plate on the table. The cheese grits were creamy and blended well with the herbs and acidity of the tomatoes. I was already a fan and then I tasted the bacon! It’s no wonder this dish is served all day, it’s definite a crowd favorite.

    Sandwiches

    Croque-Madame
    Includes: jambon de paris, gruyère, swiss, jalapeño béchamel, 63° egg (soft yolk), classic white bread

    You’ll feel fancy like you’re dining in France when you taste this traditional French brasserie bistro sandwich! This sandwich has an egg and melted cheese on top of thick sliced bread. I definitely enjoyed breaking the egg yolk and watching it ooze down the side of the sandwich. I could hear a crunch as soon as I cut into the sandwich! My favorite part was how well the jalapeño béchamel mixed with the jam and cheese!

    Nashville Hot Chicken
    Includes: spicy crisp chicken breast, brussels sprouts slaw, garlic aioli, pain de mie bun

    You may remember me sharing my love for this sandwich when I mentioned on my instagram that I ordered it for brunch two weekends in a row last year. I am happy to report that it is still crispy, spicy and the slaw with brussel sprouts adds more crunch! 

    Shareables

    Grilled Cheese Bites (vegetarian)
    Includes: gruyère, swiss, raclette cheese, sprouted sourdough, tomato relish

    These grilled cheese bites are so good! I enjoyed dipping them in the fresh tomato relish, it added great flavor. I also loved the crunch in each bite. I definitely recommend as a shareable item! 

    Flatbread

    Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese
    Includes: forest mushrooms, brie, mozzarella, goat cheese, balsamic onions, truffle oil

    This flatbread is so delicious! The goat cheese taste stands out without being overwhelming, the balsamic onions add a little bit of sweetness and the texture of the mushrooms blends everything together. You’ll want to try this too!

    Full Bar & Lounge

    The bar area is inviting with pink velvet bar chairs and neon colors behind the bar. I tasted the Mezcal Mule and it was refreshing! I prefer drinks that are more bitter than sweet, so this was perfect, but they also offer a variety of drinks on their bar menu like Frosé.

    You already love their pastries, now you’ll love their savory dishes! Be sure to visit this location or one near you and tag Common Bond Bistro & Bakery and A Tasteful Trip on Instagram. Thank you to Chef Jason Gould and the awesome staff at Common Bond for hosting my visit.

    Also, don’t forget to check out their Houston Restaurant Weeks menu here and my Houston Restaurant Weeks curbside review here. 

    Location

    BISTRO & BAKERY – CITYPLACE (NEW!)
    1700 City Plaza Drive, Suite 150
    Spring, TX 77389
    281.975.2300

    Website

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