Ahhh…my local. When I tell people I live along the Texas coast in an island beach community, people typically ask, “what is the best thing about living at the beach?” Of course there is only one answer – the beer!
My wife and I disagree about most things. She’s a vegetarian, I’m a full-blooded Texan who enjoys brisket more than anything. She is a Texans fan, I’m a Titans fan (after my original Oilers loyalty). She’s uber-liberal, I’m fiscally conservative. Luckily, all of these things don’t matter when we are enjoying anything on tap at the brewery.
On our most recent visit, the usual beers were on tap – Tiki Wheat, Citra Mellow, Blue Bridge Amber, etc. However, a new choice intrigued us both and made us go outside of our normal comfort zone. We knew we had to give Balinese Stout a shot.
The name is not what it seems on the surface. The Balinese Room was once an infamous night club in Galveston Island, built on a pier and stretching into the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1940’s and 50’s, Frank Sinatra performed at this location and in later years became an illegal gambling location with a casino. This structure was completely decimated and swept away on September 13, 2008 when Hurricane Ike made landfall as a strong category 2 hurricane.
Luckily, the beer is not as ill-reputed as the night club. As a full-bodied stout, it reminds me of Saint Arnold Winter Stout, but with a more smoky flavor. A fully roasted coffee is what this immediately brings to mind. Another beer they have brewed called Charlie Murphy is similar in flavor, but not as smoky. This gem pours black in color and laces nicely on the glass after each sip.
Galveston Island Brewing Company never fails to impress and this new selection is no exception. As an islander, a brewery like this is one that should encourage anybody to make a visit and enjoy the southern comfort of island life.