Foodie News

Cool move for the Popsicle Man: GoodPop relocates to Houston, bringing uniquefrozen flavors

GoodPop is the brainchild of Houston native Daniel Goetz, serving all-natural,organic, paleta-style popsicles.
Photo by GoodPop!
GoodPop founder Daniel Goetz making popsicles.
GoodPop is available at Good Dog Hot Dog and select Whole Foods Markets.
Photos via GoodPop/Facebook
Photo via GoodPop/Facebook

Nothing conjures memories of idle childhood summers quite like icy, fruity popsicles. But when Bellaire-native Daniel Goetz searched Austin for a healthy, sugar-free version of the treat two years ago, he came up short.

So in 2009, the University of Texas senior decided to make his own, creating GoodPop All-Natural Frozen Pops.

"It was a combination of things, being in Austin with different trailers popping up and the trend there," the 25-year-old Goetz says. "I felt it would go over well if presented right, with the right fruit, the right sugars and the right packaging."

When Bellaire-native Daniel Goetz searched Austin for a healthy, sugar-free version of the treat two years ago, he came up short.

GoodPop debuted at Austin farmers markets and quickly grew to being in 25 stores between Houston and Austin. With flavors like Banana Cinnamon, Soy Coconut, Hibiscus Mint and Coffee, Goetz focused on creating pops with real fruit, no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors and low sugars, including local ingredients whenever possible. Not only are these gourmet popsicles healthy and natural, they're also diet-friendly, with as few as 50 calories a pop.

Goetz's GoodPops retail for $1.99 to $2.99 individually and $4.99 to $5.49 in new four packs.

After taking the past winter off to reconfigure the business plan — including shuttering a stand-alone retail location and refining flavors "to make them perfect" — Goetz is relocating GoodPop to Houston.

"I'm making them here in Houston now ... there's more vendors, more options, we can increase our distribution. Finding ingredients here is easier. We're an Austin brand with an Austin presence but the operations are now out of Houston," Goetz says.

GoodPop debuted in Houston with carts at the Art Car parade, followed by a stand at Eleanor Tinsley Park on the Fourth of July, and the popsicles are now being served at the Good Dog Hot Dog food truck. Next up? Whole Foods Market.

"We were in Whole Foods in Austin before I decided to take a step back. We were selling singles and Whole Foods wanted us to make a box. Now we finally put together a four-pack, and it'll be back in Whole Foods Market by August 5," Goetz says. "I love doing events and people being able to enjoy them immediately, but the goal is to take them home and enjoy a premium, gourmet treat at their house."

GoodPop will be in Whole Foods on Bellaire to start with, and Goetz expects to expand to the stores in Kirby, Montrose and Sugar Land quickly.

But Goetz isn't just making the popsicles — he's still an addict.

"My favorite flavor changes by the day, but right now it's Watermelon Agave," he says. "It's so hot out and it's so refreshing and so light, you can have two or three and want more."

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists