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    OTT is OOC

    "Why is the government up in my beer?" Local craft beer lovers spotlighted innew movie

    Caroline Gallay
    Jan 12, 2012 | 3:50 pm
    • Leslie Sprague
      Photo via Leslie Spraque/Facebook
    • Jester King Craft Brewery
      Photo via Basil and Brew
    • Beer Culture: The Movie
    • Tom Kolicko of Free Mind Productions
      Photo by Mackinnon Photography
    • Ron Extract of Jester King Craft Brewery
      Photo via Jester King Craft Brewery
    • The grounds at Jester King Craft Brewery
      Photo via Beer Town Austin

    When Open the Taps first launched in Houston last summer, co-founder Leslie Sprague hadn't the slightest that the grass-roots group of pissed off craft beer consumers would become the ultimate industry advocacy group in Texas. Or that she'd find herself shuttling to and from the capitol to meet with state legislators, immersing herself in the processes of politics, or that she'd end up, along with her co-founders, in a feature-length documentary.

    But that's exactly where the founders of OTT recently found themselves: On camera and on-the-record at Jester King Brewery near Dripping Springs, discussing the craft beer culture in Texas for filmmaker Thomas Kolicko. Kolicko is the man behind last year's Beer Culture, a documentary investigating the flourishing craft beer economy in Colorado.

    Now he's started work on Crafting a Nation, a follow-up that will examine the economic impact of the national craft beer movement.

    "Crafting a Nation tells the story of how the American craft brewers are rebuilding the economy . . . one beer at a time."

    Although the doc skips over Houston entirely in favor of examining long-seated craft beer communities in San Antonio and Austin, Houston-based Open the Taps founders Cathy Rascoe (the woman behind Monsters of Beer and Houston Beer Week), Sprague, Ted Duchesne and John Speights rep the Bayou City.

    Sprague met the crew for the first time at Austin's Whip In last Friday night after Kolicko contacted her a few months ago about being featured. Since that initial invite to the filming at Jester King, the brewery won a lawsuit that made significant strides in making the microbrewing business easier for the little guys.

    (Also interviewed for the doc was Jim Houchins, the lawyer who represented Jester King in the case that resulted in U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks declaring several portions of the alcoholic beverage code unconstitutional.)

    "They did mini interviews with each of us and filmed the landscape" Sprague tells CultureMap. "They were really blown away by the culture. Like, giving away kegs? Basically, the brewery is breaking even," she says of Texas' prohibition against selling brewery beer on-site.

    Kolicko's crew filmed a time lapse of the day-long tasting event as well as the sunset over the brewery, Sprague says. "They wanted to know what it was about beer culture in Texas that compelled us to form this group. And our basic answer was the legislature had failed us."

    And despite the community nature of craft beer drinkers, Sprague thinks the film will find audiences outside the microbrew community. "It's not just about beer; it's about industry and regulation and restriction. It's a consumer issue, but it's an everybody issue, too."

    "Why is government up in my beer?" asks Open the Taps founder Leslie Sprague.

    Next up for Open the Taps is preparing for the upcoming elections and legislative season. Sprague says the delay is bittersweet, giving the group more time to prepare, but also more time to hurry up and wait. The group is working on questionnaires to distribute to members to prioritize objectives as well as to representatives to determine where each stand on issues affecting the craft beer industry.

    "It works out this year because it's an election year and almost every office is up for re-election," Sprague says. "And because it's a presidential election this year, there will be more voters out."

    Now up to almost 300 members (including some out-of-staters and even one Canadian), Open the Taps has a host of upcoming events and plans to add a landing page to its website where voters can educate themselves on where elected officials stand on craft beer-related issues.

    To keep up with Texas craft beer happenings follow Open the Taps on Facebook and Twitter.

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    news/restaurants-bars

    Where to Eat Brunch Now

    10 Houston restaurants spicing up brunch with fresh new flavors

    Brianna Griff
    May 16, 2025 | 10:14 am
    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Houston’s weekend routine just got a jolt of new flavors. From a Peruvian-Vietnamese mash-up to a Mediterranean feast in Montrose and a seafood-driven spread in Autry Park, a wave of both new and established Houston restaurants are rolling out fresh takes on everyone's favorite weekend indulgence. Whether it’s four riffs on eggs Benedict or savoring a foie-gras macaron while being serenaded by a violin, these 10 new options are delivering bold brunches with global influences and tipsy tinctures.

    Alora Restaurant and Bar
    Located in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, this restaurant touts itself as Houston's only Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant. For brunch, chefs and married couple Diego Ponce and Makala Ponce have created a menu that fuses the two cuisines — think Lima Hot Chicken and Pandan French Toast ($19) with aji limo pepper balanced by the sweetness of pandan. The Bò Né ($28) is a Vietnamese twist on steak and eggs alongside Comté cheese, pate, and tomatoes, while the salmon on crispy toast ($22) is crowned with guacamole, pickled vegetables, and a passion fruit vinaigrette. Beverages include the Alora Bloody Mary ($15) with pickled quail eggs and green mango. Alora serves brunch 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
      

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Chardon
    The Thompson Hotel's fine dining restaurant launched in February, transporting both guests and diners to France with its fare. Chardon has become a destination in its own right, and the addition of weekend brunch makes it even more appealing. Classics like Quiche Lorraine ($18) and Croque Monsieur ($32) sit on the menu alongside creations of delicate Lox et Crêpe with dill crème fraîche ($26) and the Avocado and Haricot Vert Tartine topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg ($17). The Bisous Tower ($23/person) proffers a selection of savory pastries and small bites like foie gras macarons and Texas cornbread madeleines. A violinist sets a soft soundtrack while patrons dine. Brunch is 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

    il Bracco
    The Galleria-area Italian spot just upgraded its weekend offerings with several new bites. Housemade pastries include zeppole with orange marmalade ($10), blueberry focaccia ($9), and an artichoke and arugula scone ($12). The weekend-only bucatini carbonara is now joined by shakshuka alla verde, the restaurant's riffs on eggs in purgatory ($19); frittata with with asparagus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and arugula ($17); and a mortadela sandwich on focaccia ($16). Pair them with a mimosa, espresso martini, or a breakfast martini with a little orange marmalade. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Maximo
    The West U. restaurant's weekend brunch offers a range of masa-based dishes. Consider egg Benedict that swaps the traditional English muffin for masa cornbread or cinnamon-sugar coated masa waffles that are topped with cheesecake whipped cream, Japanese peanuts, and agave syrup. Huevos ahogados, drowned in green tomatillo salsa, are served with a side of corn tortillas to soak up every bite of the mushrooms, greens, and Oaxacan cheese. Pair them with cocktails such as the Java-Horchata Flip (sake, coffee liqueur, horchata, whole egg, peanut chili crisp) and the Sangria Tango (tomatillo, cucumber, coriander, green chili, with the guest’s choice of agave or Mexican gin). Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Melrose
    Created by CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year Emmanuel Chavez, the Montrose lounge serves clever riffs on enduring brunch favorites. Options include charred tomatillo chilaquiles with poached eggs, an acai bowl served in a half coconut, hanger steak with eggs and chimichurri, and a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and brown sugar-roasted “billionaire’s bacon” on a brioche bun. The Melrose Tower channels New York's iconic Sadelle's restaurant with its house-cured lox, mini bagels, chive cream cheese, and accoutrements. Drink options include a spritz, Bloody Mary, and a michelada verde made with tomatillo juice. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    MF Lobster and Seafood
    The weekend spread at this Autry Park destination aims to elevate Houston’s brunch offerings. Think Benedicts made with silky hollandaise cascading over lobster, braised bacon, pork belly, or classic Canadian bacon (yes, that’s four varieties of the dish). The indulgence continues with wagyu steak and eggs, buttery Maine lobster popovers, and bagels and lox featuring Ora King salmon and roe. For the sweet tooth, choose a brioche pain perdu with caramelized apples and whipped maple mascarpone, or end the meal with a dark chocolate pot de crème. MF Lobster and Seafood serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm.

    Okto
    Sof Hospitality’s Mediterranean restaurant kicks off Sunday with a late-morning feast of fresh flavors such as pan con tomate salad with grilled sourdough and bruleed burrata ($20) and the rich notes of the beet-cured lox atop a potato apple latke ($22). Other highlights include an omelet with blue crab and mascarpone ($24) and a crepe Suzette ($16) accentuated with Grand Marnier, candied orange, and whipped ricotta. Okto’s spot at the trendy Montrose Collective boasts a spacious patio and ample underground parking (or valet). Brunch is served Sunday from 11 am-4 pm at Okto.

    Relish Restaurant and Bar
    The second outpost of this River Oaks staple opened in Memorial’s Town and Country Village at the end of 2024, but only added brunch to its repertoire at the end of April. Flaky herb biscuits ($9), buttermilk pancakes topped with brandied pecans ($15), and a salmon citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette ($24) are just a few of the dishes available. The Italian baked eggs ($18) in a pomodoro sauce with Italian sausage and grilled sourdough is a highlight of the menu. Diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour deals on select cocktails, beer, and wine, with a full espresso bar for those abstaining or still recovering from the previous night’s festivities. Relish serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Santé Lounge
    The Upper Kirby lounge’s patio is sure to be a destination for the posh set this summer. Santé's Sunday Funday Brunch features an elevated twist on classics like Dubai chocolate croissants, the grilled-to-order Santé burger with brioche, and a platter laden with five chilled seafood preparations. Patrons can listen as a live DJ spins tunes while relaxing on the patio with its cabanas, chandeliers, and greenery. Order the deviled egg trio (Nashville hot chicken, Tobiko caviar, and ramen egg) and sangria (with white or red wine) for the table. Brunch at Santé is from 12 pm-4 pm on Sunday, with a required dress code.

    Traveler’s Cart
    The Street Market Brunch is an international affair with cinnamon-dusted Morning Churros ($8), Chinese breakfast dumplings ($12) paired with a sambal-oyster-soy sauce, and charming fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles ($9) with yuzu custard filling. Or dig into Turkish cilibir eggs ($15) seasoned with Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, and za’atar oil. The global tour continues at the bar with "around-the-world" mimosas, a build-your-own Bloody Mary cart, and Don’t Stop the Carnival ($13), a punchy Brazilian coffee cocktail of rum, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut. Traveler’s Cart serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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