Texans' Favorite Beer: What's The Top Choice?

Texas is home to a variety of beers, from local craft breweries to well-known companies. Texans have a diverse range of beers to choose from, including IPAs, lagers, stouts, pilsners, and wheat beers. The state has a thriving craft beer industry, with 84 counties that have licensed breweries, and it ranks 8th in the country for the number of craft breweries. While Texas may be among the states with the fewest breweries per capita, local brewers have still created some iconic beers that are loved both within the state and beyond.

Lone Star Original

Texas Roots

Iconic Packaging

The beer's packaging instantly evokes a sense of Texas pride with its distinctive label featuring the iconic Lone Star, the symbol of Texas, which also gives the beer its name. The minimalist and patriotic design has become an enduring symbol of Texan identity, making it instantly recognizable to those who call Texas home.

Cultural Significance

Versatility

The light and mild flavor profile of Lone Star Original makes it an incredibly versatile beer. It pairs well with a wide range of cuisines, from the spicy Tex-Mex dishes to classic American BBQ favorites. Its crispness and palate-cleansing ability make it especially popular for pairing with spicy foods.

Local Pride

Drinking Lone Star Original has become a symbol of local pride for Texans. It is a way for them to show their support for local products and celebrate their unique Texan identity. It has been a staple at countless gatherings, cookouts, and social events throughout the state, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community.

Availability

While Lone Star Original has its strongest presence in Texas, its popularity has spread beyond state lines. It can be found in bars, restaurants, and retail stores across the country, allowing people outside Texas to experience a taste of the Lone Star State's renowned beer culture.

Shiner Bock

The Spoetzl Brewery is Texas's oldest independent brewery and one of the oldest independent breweries in the United States. It is known for its handcrafted beers and spirits, as well as its heritage, independence, and community. In addition to Shiner Bock, the brewery produces a diverse line of Shiner beers, including seasonal brews and limited editions. The brewery has a strong connection to Texas culture and is a source of pride for many Texans.

Revolver Brewing's Blood & Honey

Texan beer culture has evolved from the traditional Lone Star, Pearl, and Shiner to a thriving craft-brew industry. One such craft beer is Revolver Brewing's Blood & Honey, a popular choice among Texans.

Revolver Brewing is a Texas-based brewery that takes pride in its countryside roots. Blood & Honey is their flagship brew, an American Pale Wheat Beer that has gained a dedicated following in the state and beyond. The beer is crafted with blood orange peels, honey, and a blend of spices, creating a unique and refreshing taste profile.

The appearance of Blood & Honey is described as a dark gold or crystal clear, lighter color with a small head of fine bubbles. The aroma is a burst of citrus, floral, and spice notes, complemented by sweet malt and a hint of breadiness. The taste is where Blood & Honey truly shines, with a smooth and malty character, a touch of sweetness, and a subtle blend of spices, honey, and herbal hop bitterness. The beer has a light to medium body and low bitterness, making it highly drinkable and accessible even for non-beer fans.

Over the years, Revolver Brewing has introduced variations of Blood & Honey, including a lighter version called Blood & Honey Light, which offers a refreshing, crisp, and bright beer-drinking experience. The original Blood & Honey has an ABV of 7%, while the Light version comes in at 9% ABV, providing a stronger kick.

The popularity of Revolver Brewing's Blood & Honey extends beyond Texas, and it has become a staple on shelves across the state and beyond. Its unique blend of flavors, combining citrus, spice, and honey, has made it a favorite among Texans and beer enthusiasts alike, solidifying its place in the diverse landscape of Texas craft beers.

Saint Arnold's Pumpkinator

The Pumpkinator has won several awards, including a silver medal at the World Beer Cup in 2012 and 2023, a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2019, and a gold medal at the same event in 2017. It is considered a staple in any Texas beer enthusiast's collection and is available in 22oz bottles and on tap at select locations.

The Pumpkinator has a strong following, with fans eagerly awaiting its annual release. It is described as having a sinister and spooky flavour, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, and toffee. The beer has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a lingering warmth from the cinnamon. It is well-balanced, with the pumpkin flavours complemented by the spices, malt, and roasted notes.

The Saint Arnold Brewing Company describes the Pumpkinator as their answer to how a pumpkin beer ought to taste. It is their most expensive beer to brew, and its release day marks the unofficial start of fall in Texas. The Pumpkinator is a highly anticipated and revered beer in the Lone Star State, with Texans stocking up on it for the holiday season.

Deep Ellum Dallas Blonde

The beer is a bright, shimmering golden ale with a unique, kooky cabbage-patch-kid-meets-prom-queen logo. It combines citrusy and floral American hops with Pale, Vienna, and Wheat malts, resulting in a beautifully balanced and refreshing brew. The lower ABV makes it a perfect "pace beer", and its slight carbonation adds to its smooth mouthfeel and drinkability.

The Deep Ellum Brewing Company launched in 2011 in the Deep Ellum neighbourhood of Dallas, becoming the city's first craft brewery. The Dallas Blonde is their flagship beer, and its instant success helped the neighbourhood transition from an industrial area to a hipster hotspot. In 2022, the brewery was acquired by Monster, and the distribution of this beloved Texas beer has since expanded beyond the state.

The Deep Ellum Dallas Blonde is a shining example of the thriving craft-brew industry in Texas, offering a refreshing and balanced drinking experience that has won over the hearts of Texans and beer enthusiasts alike.

Frequently asked questions