Local watering holes get into the spirits of things this season
Published 4:51 pm Friday, November 24, 2017
- Tyler Blount, owner of the Neches Brewing Company in Port Neches, with Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale and Christmas Bomb, made by Prairie, the bar carries. Neches also brews their own brands of beer.
By David Ball
When one thinks of traditional holiday drinks one usually thinks of eggnog and wassail. Perhaps it’s time to consider some other libations.
For instance, Tyler Blount, owner of Neches Brewing Company in Port Neches is working on his own version of holiday quaffs. He’s introducing a gingerbread beer that’s 7.5 percent alcohol he calls a winter warmer. It has cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and of course, ginger. It will be available in December.
Another one they brew is called Big Floyd Stout with 10.5 percent alcohol.
“We use local coffees Seaport and Texjoy, cold brew it, and add it to the beer. People love it,” he said. “Fall and winter stouts are popular. This is our busy time of the year anyway.”
Some other holiday brews are a pumpkin beer — a darker beer — by Rogue brewery called Pumpkin Patch Ale. Blount said Rogue grows everything themselves for the ale and it’s as organic as one can get.
St. Arnold’s of Houston has their version named Pumpkinator Stout. Neches got the beer last year and they will have it again this year. Blount said it’s interesting to taste how the alcohol mellows a year later and how the new arrivals have a bite to them.
Additionally, St. Arnold’s has a Christmas ale.
Karbach, another Houston brewery, has one humorously named in tribute to the classic move, “A Christmas Story,” called Yule Shoot Your Eye Out.
Ace has a pumpkin cider. It’s 100 percent apple-based flavored with pumpkins.
“It’s really good,” he said.
Dogfish Head uses spruce tips from Christmas trees for their Pennsylvania Tuxedo. Blount hopes Neches will receive some of those too.
Anchor Brewery, owned by the Maytag Company, has a Christmas ale.
Shiner Cheer is seasonal, made with peaches and pecans.
Another popular one is Lazy Magnolia pecan ale. Blount said pecans are popular during the fall and winter.
Crackberry’s beer is made with cranberries that fit in with Thanksgiving.
Last but not least, Christmas Bomb, made by Prairie, is made with cinnamon, nutmeg and chilies. It has an alcohol content of 11 percent with a hint of chocolate.
Neches isn’t the only watering hole offering up seasonal favorites.
Dylan’s Bar & Grill in Port Arthur also serves a variety of holiday drinks.
Manager Lindsey Begnaud said they serve Shiner Cheer for their holiday draft. Interested in something stiffer? Crown Royal Salted Caramel is seasonal. It’s so popular the bar may keep it a couple of months after the holidays. Other seasonals are Maple Crown and Apple Crown by Crown Royal.
One of the bartenders recently created a shot called Golden Honey that contains Tennessee Honey Jack Daniels, Goldschlager and a splash of pineapple juice.
Another original shot at Dylan’s is the Bad Apple — Fireball Whiskey and Crown Apple that could become a seasonal drink.
Luke’s Icehouse in Nederland carries Shiner Cheer too, according to Jeff Augustine, director of operations.
He said the Shiner Cheer is not as popular though as Shiner’s Oktoberfest.
The restaurant in Beaumont on Calder Avenue also carries St. Arnold and Sam Adams Christmas ales.
Augustine said he’s trying to get both restaurants to have the same menu.
