Drawing inspiration from Houston’s historic Astrodome—once known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the owners easily decided on a name for this brewery. The dedication to Space City doesn't stop there. 8th Wonder's beers reflect aspects of the city's character and pride. There's the Cougar Paw red ale, the Dome Foam cream ale, and the Mission Control porter. Those somewhat sober curious or beer avoidant can indulge in 8th Wonder’s cannabis options, such as Wonder Water sparkling lime or grape THC seltzers. For those who prefer liquor, the brewery's cocktails are great, too. Order the spicy mango margarita for a sweet sip with a kick of spice.

With a name that plays on Houston’s Space City nickname, Bad Astronaut is a prime spot to kick off a brewery adventure, with Spin Craft brews for people who like lagers, and the Fake Landing hazy IPA, for those of you who like hops and a good conspiracy theory. For friends who are skipping beer altogether, there are other ways to buzz: hard seltzers that come in fruity flavors, wines by the glass, and the Rockwell’s Hooch cocktail. Bring some company, especially for backup on the foosball table. 

Run by husband-and-wife team Adam Cryer and Sarah Pope, Baileson began with a dream for a neighborhood brewpub in 2015. Two years later, the couple transformed the building’s original 1950s auto service center structure into a taproom that serves a multitude of IPAs and other ales. Flavors and pours change with the seasons, making it a hotspot for beer enthusiasts. If wine or cider is your thing, skip over to Vinology next-door. As long as someone in your group is drinking the brewery’s beer, you can bring the outside drinks over to enjoy, too.

City Acre is one of the most unique breweries in Houston for its atmosphere alone. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood on the northern edge of the city, this space will make you feel like you’re sitting in someone’s backyard. For a beer that tastes like a snack, opt for the PB&J Proletariat Porter, also known as the Sack Lunch. Go light with the Skyline Oatmeal Stout, or pucker up with City Acre's sour series. If staying late, stick to the theme and ask for a nightcap. If none of those sound good, try one of the City Seltzers. 

Thanks to a rebrand and remodel, this spot formerly known as Sigma Brewing has served the Second Ward, in some format, since 2016 (you may have spotted its tallboys or a six-pack of cans at H-E-B in more recent years). Year-round brews include the Kaizen, a Japanese-style rice lager, and the Loggerbier pilsner. The seasonal options are worth seeking out, too, especially the Medina Sod hazy pale ale if you like ’em hoppy. 

For nearly a decade, Eureka Heights Brew Co. has served all who are thirsty for a good beer. With plenty of indoor seating, it’s a go-to spot for hanging with friends while also trying to escape Houston’s brutal summer heat. If it’s one of those rare days when the weather is nice, stake out a spot on Eureka Heights’s outdoor space to soak up the sun with one of its year-round beers in hand—the Buckle Bunny for a cream ale, the Final Boss Tropical for a fruity refresher, or the Somethin’ Light for an easy sip. Beers come in other forms, too, including seasonal editions, barrel-aged options, and the playful LABS, also known as the Limited Awesome Beer Series.

A purchase by Distincture Hospitality and a name change essentially makes this spot Local Group Brewing 2.0. The beer here has personality—try the Hot Boi Summer to enjoy a pineapple-tangerine blonde ale or the Flip Flop Cowboy amber ale. The brewery is also stacked with several wines, THC and non-alcoholic options, $8 shots, and several $12 house cocktails. Plus, Gristworkz offers a full food menu filled with shareables like red pepper hummus and cheesy fiesta dip, as well as a flavorful banh mi, pizzas made with in-house dough, and an ever-changing burger of the month.

This small taproom within the arts district packs a punch with constantly rotating taps. The Dollar Pils Y’all is a fixture, but come back often to try seasonals like a Back That Razz Up, a fruited sour ale with raspberry lime, and the cheekily named English pale, Margaret Thatcher Naked on a Cold Day. If you're into fitness, this is the brewery for you. Holler Brewing Co. holds social run and bike clubs that meet weekly. 

This brewery defied some odds when it opened in 2017 in the middle of Hurricane Harvey. Now, it's a staple that continues its commitment to great-quality beer through classic IPAs, stouts, lagers, and more. The brewery serves Cake & Bacon pastries in the morning and pizza for lunch and dinner. In need of some caffeine? The brewery offers hot and iced lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, flat whites, americanos, drip coffee, and nitro cold brew.

Launched in 2011, Karbach Brewing has grown exponentially since it was acquired by beer conglomerate Anheuser-Busch in 2016. It now offers two event spaces, a bar, and indoor and outdoor seating. Unlike other spots, the full kitchen here lends itself to an extensive menu that goes beyond typical bar food. Diners can share the creamy dip trio, which features beer queso, guacamole, salsa, and chips, or the very snackable truffle parmesan fries, before digging into entrées like the Texas Wagyu smashburger, the crispy hot honey chicken sandwich, or the refreshing citrus avocado salad. Accompany the meal with the brewery classics like the Crawford Bock, Love Street, Hopadillo, or a Ranch Water hard seltzer for all the non-beer drinkers. Switch it up and skip next door to Pizza and Pints, its sister restaurant dedicated to beer, pizza, and doughy desserts.

Before Saint Arnold was on the map, there was the original Magnolia Brewery in Downtown from 1895 to 1935. While long gone now, New Magnolia Brewing has paid homage to this iconic piece of Houston's beer history since its founding in 2018. Here, classic recipes of Czech amber lagers, American light lagers, Kölsch styles, IPAs, and more, await Bayou City booze lovers. 

It’s all about Australia and good vibes at this brewpub, which serves everything from a Heff Off Mate hefeweizen to a Freckled Dingo pale ale. The full kitchen is half the draw: Come here for the fish and chips, lamb chops, sausage rolls, and a take on Chiko Rolls. Or enjoy the brewery's full bar, stacked with cocktails, mocktails, THC drinks, wine, and cider.

Owner Brock Wagner built Saint Arnold, the oldest craft brewery in Texas, from the ground up 31 years ago, teaching people along the way that there’s more to beer than just Miller Lite. Now, folks can enjoy staples like the Art Car IPA, the original Amber Ale, and the H-Town Pils in the stunning taproom that’s designed like a church. When the weather is bearable, enjoy the outdoor garden with a great view of Downtown. Saint Arnold also serves nonalcoholic beverages such as its Hop Spring sparkling water and famous root beer, and its full kitchen dishes out stone-fired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and standout bar bites. 

For a great view of Downtown, head to one of the city's newest breweries, which took over the embattled Buffalo Bayou Brewing space. Bought by Gulf Coast Distillers in 2019, Tejas Brewery is the outpost for the Tejas Beer brand. The brewery serves its classics, Tejas Clara and Negra, plus other brews like a coffee porter made with coffee and roasted malts. Imbibing goes beyond the brews, with half-bottle wines and cocktails made with nearly every type of spirit you can think of. The three-story destination also serves an extensive food menu filled with pretzel bites, street tacos, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and wraps. Weekend warriors can stop in on Saturdays or Sundays for a smaller brunch menu from 11am to 3pm.