Since it’s said to be the first brewery in Texas to can its beers, it’s a rite of passage to give this brewery a visit. Try its year-round flavors like its classic Bombshell Blonde ale, its Southern Brunch citrus shandy, or its Strawberry Blonde lager, for a hint of fruity flavor. Or, get into the spirit with its seasonal Oktoberfest beer, or its deep Winter Warmer, which tastes of sweet caramel, toffee, and raisins. Check the brewery calendar for special events.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, this family-friendly brewery in the woods is worth the drive. Situated on seven acres of country, B-52 features outdoor fun like horseshoes and ping-pong, which can be enjoyed after exploring the pale ales, pilsners, IPAs, and smoothie tart sours. Check their calendar for a list of fun events, like Trivia Night, plus the schedule for its rotating list of food vendors.

Passionate and family-owned, this Magnolia brewery uses raw whole cone hops in its brews and renewable energy to power its operations, which put out plenty of must-have limited-release brews, including its Tornado Shark, an American strong ale, which clocks in at a whopping 8.1 percent ABV. Can’t make it to the brewery? Lone Pint’s fan-favorites or “core” year-round beers, including its Yellow Rose IPA, Jabberwocky Pale Ale, and the Gentleman’s Relish Brown Ale, are easy to find at most beer retailers and grocery stores. 

A brewery created by Houstonians for Houstonians, 11 Below was launched on the precipice of how refreshing an ice-cold beer is during the seemingly never-ending hot days in the city. The brewery showcases a list of thirst-quenching, refreshing ales, including its signature 7-Iron blonde, plus quirky pours like its Hipster Sauce IPA and  Taco Tuesday, a margarita-style beer.

Spindletap is known for its extensive line of cloudy, unfiltered IPAs, like the Houston Haze, but have plenty of options for non-hop heads, including its award-winning honey ale, Honey Hole, and Black Gold, a Nitro coffee imperial stout. After working up an appetite following a beer-fueled game of putt-putt golf or kickball on-site, try the wood-fired pizza.

With 12 beers on tap, including hoppy IPAs, lagers, stouts, and ciders, this GOOF area brewery prides itself on sustainability by packaging and donating grains spent during production to local farmers for livestock feed. Pair a cold one with great food from a rotating list of trucks parked outside the brewery.

With a beer for every palate at this decade-old brewery, it’s no surprise that love for varieties like Hopadillo and Rodeo Clown IPAs span well beyond Houston. Sure, Karbach has been acquired by a big beer brand, but that doesn’t mean its lost its local charm. The dog-friendly biergarten offers dishes like Cake and Bacon pretzels with Karbach beer mustard and heartier plates like the Hella Hottie Chicken Sandwich or the famed Karbach burger that are bound to hit the spot.

Named after the fault line that lies beneath the brewery, Eureka Heights is a brewery easily recognizable for its cheekily-named Buckle Bunny Cream Ale, a refreshing and crisp nod to rodeo season and its groupies. For something with a bit more bite, go for the Mini Boss, a 6.8 percent IPA with a relatively mild bitterness unit of 68, or the Nuke the Whales, a creamy bourbon-barrel aged milk stout.

Capitalizing on two industry trends, this brewery and board game cafe brews its sodas and coffee in-house. Find beers like the Diamond Hands scotch ale, a German-style Dunkel lager, and even a gose, a malty, salty, sour German-style beer. Looking to liven up a game night at home? Battlehops offers curbside pickup and growler fills.

With tasty varieties like the 1836 copper ale and the Crush City IPA, Buffalo Bayou Brewing has long been a favorite for craft beer. But its recent move to a mammoth three-story space in Sawyer Yards has upped its appeal with breathtaking Downtown views and a Houston-inspired menu to match. Indulge in the city’s version of fall with a seasonal beer like the Gingerbread stout and pair with a hearty smokehaus burger, made with 44 Farms Angus beef that’s topped with white cheddar, crispy fried onions, and Figaro barbecue sauce.

With its sprawling beer hall, expansive beer garden, and a friendly and knowledgeable “brew crew”, Saint Arnold Brewing Company reigns supreme among independent craft breweries in the city with the distinction of being the oldest craft brewery in Texas. Enjoy staple beers like its Lawnmower, Orange Show, Art Car, and Santo, which have become familiar sights around town, and don’t skimp on the robust food menu, which is made up of hearty eats, including woodfired pizzas, a top-notch burger, and a jerk shrimp banh mi.

Cider fans, rejoice. Houston’s freshest cidery, City Orchard, is here. Opt for the Mr. Green, made with Greening apples, or the sparkling King Blossom with a side of warm and fluffy apple fritters. Don’t worry beer drinkers, there are a couple of brews on tap as well, including its light Belgian blonde Brass Hat and its Tin Lizard IPA.

The brainchild of a trio consisting of a married couple originally from Australia and a Houstonian pal, Platypus Brewing boasts brews and bites inspired by flavors from both Texas and the land of the outback. Think Bobby Dazzler, an Australian blonde ale brewed with local Houston honey and Australian topaz hops, or a Freckled Dingo Pale Ale, which pairs perfectly with one of Platypus’s meat pies.

Home to over 20 beers on tap, this East-End brewery formally known as Sigma Brewing company offers a slew of options, ranging from hazy IPAs like the Spirit Journey to cult favorite creations like the Kaizen Red, a Japanese red rice lager. Be on the lookout for their “One Off Wednesdays,” where they release limited-run offerings.

Named for the Astrodome, Houston’s iconic sports stadium of years past, 8th Wonder brings the nostalgia with its Dome Faux’m ale and other Houston-themed beers like the Weisstheimer hefeweizen, the Cougar Paw Red Ale — a nod to the University of Houston — and the Rocket Fuel Vietnamese coffee porter. Pick up a pint to go at the brewery’s one-acre outdoor beer garden, affectionately named Wonder World.

Bellaire’s first brewpub aims to give residents more than just beer. While the brewery has an emphasis on low-alcohol German-style ales, including its crisp, Nein Schadenfreude, food is also a star here, with a fusion of Latin and Asian flavors. Try its Korean fried chicken sandwich, fish tacos, or their best-selling K-So, a chorizo cheese dip with jalapenos and a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze, and pretzel sticks, and pair with its versatile Munchin’ German light lager, or get into the Oktoberfest spirit with its Pretzel Day beer.