Draft magazine has chosen three Houston bars for inclusion on its updated list of America's 100 Best Beer Bars. Midtown craft beer and cocktail emporium Mongoose versus Cobra is new on the list this year, joining last year's first timers The Petrol Station and The Hay Merchant.
Multi-location chains — even excellent ones like The Flying Saucer and the Gingerman — are not eligible.
If Houstonians needed another sign that the city is in the midst of a craft beer awakening, the list provides one by giving Houston three spots when Dallas and Austin only earned two each. As recently as 2012, no Houston bars made the list, and, what's even more impressive is how many could be on the list thanks to the likes of D&T Drive Inn, Nobi Public House and others.
If Houstonians needed another sign that the city is in the midst of a craft beer awakening, the list provides one.
Draft's editors note that having a ton of beers on tap isn't a surefire way to make the list writing that the criteria include "having well-cared for, thoughtfully selected beer with an eye toward variety, trends and tradition, in the kind of place you’d want to stay awhile, delivered by someone who knows their stuff." In Houston that manifests itself in Petrol's devotion to hopheads, Hay Merchant's use of individual pressure regulators for every tap and Mongoose's signature design element of KeyKeg's visible above the bar.
All three serve food, too, from Mongoose's giant pretzel to the highly craveable burgers at Hay Merchant and Petrol. Just another way Houston's beer bars are setting themselves apart from the pack, taking care of their customers and earning national recognition.
The Hay Merchant caters to customers with a knowledgeable, friendly staff and top-notich food.
