Houston…we have lift off at 10 a.m.!

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I’m going to be honest, when we were planning our trip, we had no intention of stopping in Houston, TX. But, after researching the blossoming craft beer industry, meeting a ton of really cool folks and drinking some damn fine beers, we have changed our tune. Our morning started out meeting Rassul the owner of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.  Rassul’s passion for brewing the finest craft beers convinced us to taste his flagship beer (at 10:oo am) the barrel aged 1836 whose tap is in the shape of Davy Crockett’s gun! It was delicious and went down really smooth. After that we tried a Hibiscus wit that knocked our socks off it was so crisp and great for summer. Buff Brew has only been open for 6 months and they have gained a wide following already. Kudos to them and we know that their Oowee Koozie coaster sets will sell well on their tours.

Next, we had lunch with our good friend Garrett with Stainless Cups Company, at an amazing local restaurant Downhouse (bacon, peach & arugula salad-yum). Garrett and his childhood friend Josh had the amazing idea to manufacture stainless steel 16 oz pint cups that are generally the same feel as your regular red Solo cup. After a bachelor weekend of beer pong and heavy drinking, the guys recognized the ridiculous-ness of the throw away cup culture and saw an need for a higher quality reusable cup. We are already thinking of friends who we can buy the beer pong sets that they plan on marketing. Together, with the *New Product Alert* Oowee Koozie Stainless Steel Pint Cup Koozie, these will make great beer gifts-and made to last!

We had heard that there was a year old brewery that was figuratively blowing up nearby, so we had to stop by Karbach Brewing Company.  David was an amazing host, despite the fact that we dropped in on him last minute, giving us a tour of the facility and we were floored to see what they had accomplished in just one year! It was a major production from kegs, to tours, and even canning. Thankfully, David gave us some samples to help take it all in. My favorite was the Hopadillo IPA and Gabe enjoyed the Sympathy for the Lager.

Our tour would not have been complete without visiting the oldest craft brewery in Texas, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, brewing since 1994. We enjoyed meeting with Deb, who started out as a volunteer at the brewery and now on staff. With a ping pong table in use in the offices, we can understand why so many people would like to work here. A tour of at least a bazillion people were at the long tasting tables, having a merry old time in this giant old mill. I tried the Elissa IPA and loved it of course, but Deb convinced me to try the Santo…that completely surprised me in liking it so much. It is a “black” Kolsch which apparently doesn’t even exist as a style-they just made it up.  Gabe had the Brown Ale which was rich and creamy. Cheers to St. Arnold for bringing great craft beer to Houston!

 

                 

 

 

 

Who Dat? No, really…who is it?

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Wheee! The Big Easy!

After a week of lazy hazy Alabama days, we headed to the Big Easy. We heard that New Orleans was a really great city to bicycle around, and being bike lovers thought we’d give it a chance. A word to the wise- we don’t recommend it. From broken glass, potholes that could eat you alive, and drunk drivers and pedestrians, we were glad to cut our bike ride short! Nevertheless, we enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of The French Quarter from galleries, to street performers, a display of “low-riders”, and a wilted looking second line trying to beat the heat in the shade of a building.

We enjoyed the local fare of po-boys and beers that sweated as much as we did in the 100 degree Lousiana heat. Gee, I wish that someone had invented some sort of beer product that would help keep my beer cold and the glass less sweaty here in the south! Maybe something that is rustic, yet refined. Oh wait, we did. The Oowee Koozie leather koozies have been traveling with us across America and even on our bike ride. They make a great beer gift by the way.

NOLA Brewing

The next brewery we stopped at was the New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewery established in 2008 and is otherwise known as NOLA Brewing. We were heartily greeted by Tipsy (the dog), Buck & Dylan (the people) and Hopzilla (the godzilla). The crew at NOLA Brewing took us on a tour of their location that has expanded into not one but two giant warehouses right down the street from the famous music hall-Tipitina’s! Together, we all bonded over fishing stories, us with our deep sea fishing pictures and Dylan with his massive attack on local largemouth bass.  Gabriel’s 60 lbs. Amberjack keeps growing in size every time we tell the story. Hmm….interesting. We can’t wait to come back to see these guys next time we are in the Big Easy. By then, they should have their own NOLA Brewing leather koozies.

            

Who Dat? The story…

So far, on this trip, Oowee Koozie has had plenty of success with making appointments the day before or day of. We found out soon enough that this doesn’t work for all businesses. Whoops. At Abita Brewery on the other side of Lake Pontchatrain, we left a sample packet of products with the secretary. That place was on lock down with security cameras, gates, and an intercom! This awesome regional brewing company may not take in stragglers from the streets of North Carolina-but we hope that they like our product enough to buy some. We’ll call first next time we come by their establishment.

We didn’t have time to seek out more great New Orleans breweries, but we heard about JAX Brewery, LA 31, and the ole Dixie Brewing Company which did not survive after Katrina but apparently is being brewed out of Wisconsin now.

Off to Houston!

 

Oowee Koozie Tour Begins

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Oowee Koozie Tour Begins!

With a loaded down pickup truck, Gabriel and I said goodbye to our dear old blue tick hound dog, Walter, and left Asheville, NC for a 4,000 mile journey across the Southwestern USA. We are looking forward to seeing parts of our country that we have never explored, introduce the leather koozie products, and hopefully meet some new and interesting people along the way.
Our first stop was just over the mountain in Bryson City, NC, where we visited Joe with Nantahala Brewing Company. This sleepy little town is mostly supported by the rafting industry, but we expect that NBC will help put them on the map. The brewery itself is housed in a monstrous warehouse that used to store military supplies. They have mixed the rustic charm of the mountains with a young and hip beer vibe.

As we wind our way through the mountains of Western North Carolina, it is hard not to stop at every turn to take a swim in the Nantahala River or hop on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Just keeping our eyes on the road will be a hard task when there are 100’s of whitewater rafters enjoying the summer.

Next stop, Chattanooga TN! We stopped by The Terminal Brewhouse adjacent to the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. The Terminal Brewhouse is housed in the historic Strong Building whose old brick and and wooden beams could tell stories of years past and allegedly was home to speakeasies, illegal casinos and even a “house of ill repute”. Our first flight of the trip thanks to Ian, the man in charge of training the staff on the brewing process and about beer and beer processes. Our favorite beer was the West Coast IPA.

Though Moccasin Bend Brewery was a little bit tucked away…we knew we were in the right place when we saw the Mohawk canoe over the front door. We enjoyed hearing a little bit more about this growing brewery from Sandy who let us in even though it was well before brewery hours. Our favorite beer was the Hop Attack. Did we say we liked hoppy beers?
Finally, we had to truck it down to Birmingham, AL to meet the good people at Good People Brewing Co.! This giant warehouse centrally located in the heart of downtown was the perfect place to end our day. Some of the “Good fellas” Michael, Nate and Eric gave us the lowdown about the brewery while we listened to a local band. We immediately felt relaxed enjoying a Brown Ale and an Oatmeal Porter at this local watering hole. This would be our hangout if we lived in this city.