A dreary, overcast, and windy day is not going to stop me from having a good time. We came back from a family weekend in Houston and wanted to have a few drinks by the water. Fortunately, Jimmy’s on the Pier gladly accommodated.
One of their greatest advantages is having a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico. Perched high above the water and jetting out from the seawall, this fishing pier/restaurant has a little bit of everything. If you want to show up early just to fish, they’ve got you covered. Or if you’re looking for a good meal and some solid Texas craft beer like we were, that’s an option as well.
Granted, the place was empty on Sunday. Of course, almost every place on the island gets a sparse crowd on a cloudy and miserable weather day. For a local like myself, this makes for a nice evening. You get to know the staff and find out more about the establishment, the specials, and when to come for the real experience. For example, we found out that the bar is open until 2:00 AM on Friday nights for a Jamaican drum circle with the owner. Normally, this would sound a bit odd, but in a town where quirky is the norm, we’re digging it.
Since this is a place that supports Texas craft beer (local favorite, Galveston Island Brewing is proudly served), we love going and visiting when we get a chance. This time, there was the normal taps of GIB Tiki Wheat and Excelsior IPA. However, the bartender let us know about some beers they were carrying for the first time, 3 Nations Brewing’s GPA and American Wit. GPA is a favorite of mine and a terrific beer, but I was curious about the American Wit since I had never tried it.
The wit was sweet and refreshing. Since we were sitting outside of the bar, it was nice to take in a lighter, more sessionable brew. The citrus flavor gives it a summertime feel, but the spices added to the brew make it sweet and less tangy than the normal wit. All in all, it was a very enjoyable beer.
Also, on bottle, they had Alamo Golden Ale. This was the first time I had the beer since a small sample at Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival back in September, so I really didn’t remember anything about it. This very light American blonde should be the next beer I give to my dad, who’s a staunch craft beer holdout. Perhaps this gateway brew will switch him away from Bud Light and Heineken and over the craft beer. It has a grainy, almost bread-like flavor with a smooth finish. It’s not a beer designed to knock your socks off, but rather one that you can drink several and feel satisfied.
The menu at Jimmy’s for craft beer was impressive with choices from all over the state as well as some national favorites. Our bartender was recommending Harpoon’s UFO as an option. I mentioned that I enjoy that beer, but I’m writing a Texas craft beer article, so he was eager to point out the local options from Galveston Island Brewing. Any bar that goes out of its way to support the local scene has my heart.
It’s safe to say that Jimmy’s will continue to be a favorite of mine. The food is solid (carnitas tacos…mmmm), the beer selection is great, and the view is worth a million dollars. You can’t beat it!