Crafts & casks

Sudsy good time on tap at Galveston's Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival

Need more beer in your Labor Day weekend plans? Make the trip to Moody Gardens, where the Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival takes over with a three-day lineup of events for brew enthusiasts.

Beyond an impressive roster of nearly 400 craft beers and more than 20 brew masters, the Brewmasters Festival — now in its third year — will be home to never-before-tasted selections, including a special cask of Southern Star PROAM 2012 IPA and a Cherry Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter (both were crafted especially for the event).

Those aching for the summer sunshine can enjoy craft beer and free live music at the Poolside Terrace Crafty Parties throughout the weekend, while the brainier guests have access to a schedule of seminars all day Saturday.

BrewLicious Beer & Food Pairing

This upscale culinary event is sure to be swanky, but with a menu featuring 16 craft beers paired with 16 dishes by accomplished chefs, it can't be missed. A VIP ticket ($75) scores you early access to the main event, private seating and a whole lot of other swag. General admission costs $55 in advance.

Friday from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Brewmasters Friday Night Pub Crawl

If your typical beer activities tend to be more carousing than cultured, here's your best bet for checking out Galveston's craft beer havens (Brick House Tavern + Tap, Brews Brothers and Molly's Irish Pub are included on the pub crawl itinerary). A $25 ticket scores you a BrewFest t-shirt, a koozie and a designated (party bus) driver around town.

Friday from 8 p.m. until midnight

Texas Brewery Tasting Tours

Limited to the first 100 guests, the tasting tour get guests up-close-and-personal with the most knowledgeable brew masters in the Texas beer business. A ticket for sampling, which includes more than 20 beers from eight Texas breweries, costs just $25 per person.

Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

BrewHaHa Grand Tasting with Keg Korner

With a $35 advance ticket will buy guests a souvenir sampling mug, a tasting card (which grants 24 samples) and a passport to sip suds from all across the world. Additional tasting cards are $5 for 12 additional tastings. A BrewHaHa VIP Premium Lounge ticket ($85) comes with 20 premium selections not available on the main tasting floor, a private seating area and live music.

Saturday from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Brews, Boots & BBQ

This hoedown is exactly what it sounds like — plus add in some live music by Horizon and the Robert Hartye Band, Sparky Sparks' Live Armadillo Races and craft brews available for purchase. Cover charge is $10; kids 12 and under get in for free.

Sunday from 5 p.m. until midnight

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street food inspired

Veteran chef opens affordable new Thai restaurant in West Houston

A new restaurant serving Thai street food is opening in the Westchase District. Osha Thai Kitchen will begin serving customers on Tuesday, December 10.

Located in the West on West development (12230 Westheimer Rd.), Osha Thai Kitchen is the latest project from Saranya Danvetnukroh, who owns Nua Thai in downtown Houston. Named for the Thai word that means “delicious,” the restaurant takes inspiration from dishes served in street markets in different regions of Thailand as well as some items for those seeking more familiar flavors.

Meals at Osha could start with items such as crispy spring rolls, crab rangoon, or Thai chicken wings. Three papaya salads — traditional Thai, one with salted egg, and another that’s Lao style with salted crab — join chicken larb in the salads section.

Notably, Osha makes all of its noodles in-house. They’re utilized in dishes such as pad Thai, pad see ew, and pad woo sen. The restaurant also makes its curries in-house. They include red curry, green curry, and panang curry.

Part of Osha’s appeal will be its affordable prices. Only two entrees, crab fried rice and whole fried red snapper, cost more than $20.

Danvetnukroh has recruited sous chef Afridi Zama to lead the kitchen. His resume includes time with Pappas restaurant and at The Nicolette, a restaurant in Lubbock that earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in 2022.

“This project is a culmination of dedication to our craft and creativity to elevate Thai cuisine,”

Danvetnukroh said in a statement. “It’s an homage to our roots and a celebration of our heritage in the modern age.”

West on West is home to number of food-related business. Its anchored by a 99 Ranch grocery store and includes restaurants such as cake bakery Lady M and Tokyo-based ramen shop Tsujita Artisan Noodle.

Photo by Becca Wright

Osha Thai Kitchen opens December 10.

openings news-you-can-eat osha thai kitchen