Houston craft beer lovers get another local brewery option this week when Town in City Brewing Company makes its debut. Over two years in the making, owners Steven Macalello and Justin Engle envision Town in City as slightly different than other Houston breweries.
"We’re trying to create an atmosphere more akin to what we’re used to outside of Texas," Macalello, who attended graduate school in Colorado with Engle, tells CultureMap.
"There’s very little distinction between a brewery and a brewpub, but here there’s a big distinction. What we’re used to is a brewery that’s open — you can come buy beer whenever you like. They’re open more like traditional bar hours, but they close a little earlier. They usually have food."
Patrons can stop by and have a pint or two in the brewery's 700-square-foot taproom or 1,400-square-foot outdoor beer garden.
Rather than open for brief tours, Town in City will be open Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 3 pm. Patrons can stop by and have a pint or two in the brewery's 700-square-foot taproom or 1,400-square-foot outdoor beer garden. A food truck will be on site.
"It’s going to operate more like a bar," Macalello explains. "You come in, sit down, someone will be with you. You can order food or beer from them. It all comes on the same tab."
Town in City serves English and American-style ales. At launch, they'll be pouring four beers: an American pale ale, an American IPA, an English amber and an English-style porter.
"People like more hop-forward beers in the U.S.; we like more hop-forward beers as well," Macalello says. "Generally, at least for right now, most of our beers are pretty traditional. We try to focus on execution and making the brews taste the best that they can."
Houstonians will get the opportunity to decide for themselves on Saturday during White Linen Night. Town in City will be open with live music starting at 6 pm and a special white IPA on tap.
"We want people to feel like this is their brewery and identify with it, because it’s in their space," Macalello says. "We live in the neighborhood. I think all of that makes it feel like a more cohesive, integrated business into the community."
Town in City will launch with four beers on tap, plus a special white IPA for White Linen Night.
