Well, not even a tropical storm can stop this place from opening. Granted I was one of only a few people that braved the intense rain and wind that hit the island this weekend, so it was actually a more enjoyable time since I enjoy a little quiet from time to time.
It was odd to see the place so quiet since the popularity of the brewery has exploded since opening last year. I remember heading up to the brewery last June around the time they opened and being one of only a handful of people there. Now, I never see fewer than 15-20 people there at one time. This time, I’m one of three.
To start the day, I went with the Balinese Imperial Smoked Porter. I wrote an article earlier in the year about this beer and it looks like they’ve changed it from a stout to a porter. It certainly didn’t hurt my feelings as this beer was truly wonderful. At 10.2% ABV and 66 IBU, it’s a beast that has a deep roasted malt body that sits on your palette as a coffee flavor. It was so good, I had to have it twice.
My next beer was the Excelsior! IPA which always hits the spot as a go-to IPA on the island. I prefer the flavor over their other IPA, Citra Mellow, due to a higher level of hoppiness that comes through. At 6.6% ABV and 52 IBU, it is a nicely balanced IPA that doesn’t make you call it quits after one or two. The citrus notes in the beer make it quite the enjoyable beer.
Finally, finished off the evening with an American Pale Lager that was light and refreshing. The brewery rarely brews lagers since they take so long to make a batch, so this was a nice treat. Plus, getting the recommendation from the slew of regulars that came in from the time I got there until my final beer made it all the better.
This taproom is my local, so I’m sure I’m biased, but this place always has the most welcoming feel of any other place on Galveston Island. You can always find somebody to chat with and make new friends with anybody who happens to sit next to you at the bar.