Los Angeles

San Diego

San Francisco

Portland

Seattle

Nik Wheeler/Corbis Historical/Getty Images

Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

Traveling large swaths of America isn’t especially easy.

Your Guide to Riding One of Amtrak’s Most Scenic Train Routes Along the Pacific Coast

Nation

Courtesy of Alaska Railroad

Imagine you’ve just finished a hike in the wilds of Alaska.

Hurricane Turn, the Alaska Railroad Train You Can Flag Down Like a Taxi

Denver

DELBO ANDREA/Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Colorado’s long been the Lower 48 frontrunner for all things edgy and exciting, especially when it comes to legalizing recreational substances.

Everything You Need to Know About Colorado’s Psychedelics Laws

C Flanigan/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Mexico City is one of my favorite cities to travel to.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Thinks You Should Eat a Fistful of Crickets

Photo courtesy of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

You can take the Hogwarts Express through Scotland, or the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul, but only in the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Colorado can you board a vintage train that’s been chugging its way through the San Juan National Forest—hauling both passengers and mine ore—since the 19th century.

This Rocky Mountain Railroad Will Transport You Back in Time to the Gold Rush

Chicago

Thrillist Weekend Guides

Thrillist's weekly guide to everything you can do this weekend—from hot new restaurants to art exhibits to outdoor activities.

Thrillist Weekend Guides: Everything Happening This Weekend

Oak Street Beach | Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock

Events

KiaSeltos_1093049_Apr23

Hit the Beach, Watch Lucha Libre, and More Things to Do in Chicago This Memorial Day Weekend

New York

Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist

Nestled throughout the five boroughs is a lauded and trailblazing crew of AAPI-owned businesses that help shape the vibrant culture of New York City.

Explore, Eat, and Shop at These AAPI-Owned Businesses in NYC

Las Vegas

StockPhotoAstur/Shutterstock

Everybody loves a good road trip – especially when driving to somewhere cool from Las Vegas.

The Best Roadside Attractions Between Las Vegas and Los Angeles

El Che Steakhouse & Bar

Drink

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

In a world where concert tickets are more expensive than most mortgages, we can all rest easy knowing we’ll always have happy hour.

Oysters, Shots, and Sliders: The Best Happy Hours in Every Chicago Neighborhood

Houston

Photo courtesy of Lagoonfest Texas



The official first day of summer isn’t till June, but it is officially hot enough in Houston to get the season going this Memorial Day Weekend.

Country Music on a Lagoon and More Fun Things to Do in Houston This Weekend

Austin

Photo courtesy of Chef Chad W



Hot Luck Fest Returns and More Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend

Phoenix

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Skate a Retro Roller Rink, Plus More Fun Things to Do in Phoenix This Weekend

United States

Astral Brewing

Houston’s craft beer scene has been around a while, and beer nerds have some excellent options to choose from: Here are the best breweries in town.

SpindleTap Brewery 

Houston’s craft beer game has been around longer than today’s latest crop of legal drinkers, dating back to the year 1994, when the Patron Saint of Beers himself, <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/houston/things-to-do-houston-dog-friendly-restaurants-bars">Saint Arnold</a>, shipped its first keg of beer. It was Texas’ first true craft brewery, igniting a flame and thirst for<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/austin/best-craft-breweries-in-texas-thrillist-austin"> craft suds</a> around the Lone Star. Today, new microbreweries are popping up at a rate that would be alarming if we didn’t love beer so much. There’s a lot to work through, from <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-beer-gardens-in-america">beer gardens</a> to <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-breweries-in-america">taprooms</a> and everything in between. Now’s as good a time as ever to get yourself acquainted with some of them, here are the top players in the local Houston beer scene.

Houston’s craft beer game has been around longer than today’s latest crop of legal drinkers, dating back to the year 1994, when the Patron Saint of Beers himself, <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/houston/things-to-do-houston-dog-friendly-restaurants-bars">Saint Arnold</a>, shipped its first keg of beer. It was Texas’ first true craft brewery, igniting a flame and thirst for<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/austin/best-craft-breweries-in-texas-thrillist-austin"> craft suds</a> around the Lone Star. Today, new microbreweries are popping up at a rate that would be alarming if we didn’t love beer so much. There’s a lot to work through, from <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-beer-gardens-in-america">beer gardens</a> to <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-breweries-in-america">taprooms</a> and everything in between. Now’s as good a time as ever to get yourself acquainted with some of them, here are the top players in the local Houston beer scene.

Space City is well represented at this hoppy, unassuming Northside haunt. Co-founder and head brewer Alex McDonald’s got a PhD in biochemistry, bringing his precision and undeniable smarts to the craft beer game. Bring your pup and settle in for playful riffs on classic brew styles and consistently great IPAs, from the hazy Northeast numbers to crisp AF West Coast versions. Key beers: Nebulous Pale Ale, Psychonaut New England Hazy How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://commerce.arryved.com/location/BbtY_5r6" target="_blank">online</a>.

While it’s only been around for a handful of years, the neatly fermented ales from this GOOF-area spot are tried and true. Locals flock for the easygoing vibes and Blue Tile, one of the best IPAs in the game, plus its steady stream of newfangled numbers. You could easily lose track of time sippin' out in the yard or under the taproom’s twinkly cantina lights (spoiler alert: you will), so it’s a good thing they allow outside food and host the occasional food truck or two for sustenance. Key beers: Blue Tile IPA, Great Heights Hefeweizen, Lager-ish Kölsch How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Great Heights Brewing Company

This garage-dream turned ten-barrel, steam-jacketed, two-vessel brewhouse was founded by NASA employees, and you can kinda tell. Here, otherworldly explorations, wild-fermented, and sour suds share menu space with traditional Belgian, German, and French styles. It’s the kinda place where you can chase a hop-forward, fresh-from-the-tank West Coast IPA with citrus and floral notes (a.k.a. Ben's House IPA) with a pink-hued sour fruited ale spiked with raspberries and red currants (the Beryl after Beryl Markham, the first person to ever fly nonstop solo across the Atlantic from the UK to North America). Stop by the taproom to partake and stay tuned to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trueanomalybrewing/" target="_blank">social media</a> for fun collabs and upcoming releases. Key beers:Contact Light Saison, Ben's House IPA How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://trueanomalybrewing.square.site/" target="_blank">online</a>.

True Anomaly Brewing Company

With over a decade under its belt, this Katy stalwart continues to live its best life. Its core fresh-from-the-silo lineup features a trio of heavy-hitters—including El Hefe Weizen, a classic German-style wheat ale rife with banana, cloves, and citrus; the heavenly Sittin' Sidehaze New England style hazy IPA; and crispy-clean 1980 Kolsch—but the team is also committed to adding new, exciting beers on the regular (like the three-way Astros collab with True Anomaly and Vallenson's). If you haven’t been to No Label in years, you’ll definitely want to revisit this one. Key beers: El Hefe Weizen, 1980 Kolsch, Cali Boy How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

No Label Brewing Co.

If any brewery was going to <a href="https://8thwonder.com/cannabis" target="_blank">venture into the cannabis game</a>, it’s no surprise that it was this hip, H-town inspired brewhouse. The spot oozes coolness with a fresh vibe and globe-trotting brews—from the Rocket Fuel, a Vietnamese coffee-infused Porter, to BrewGK, a seasonal candy apple Kolsch made in collaboration with local rap hero and former UGK member Bun B—plus new creations like the hemped up Wonder Water Herbal Seltzer line and a dedicated 8th Wonder Cannabis dispensary. The brewery taproom comes with a big ol’ yard (complete with local art installations, pop-up markets, and food trucks) and the whole shebang is a huge part of why EaDo has emerged as one of the coolest neighborhoods in town. Key beers: Dome Faux’m Cream Ale, Haterade Fruited Gose, Cloud 8 Hazy IPA How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://beer.8thwonder.com/" target="_blank">online</a>.

8th Wonder Brewery

You can’t talk about Houston breweries without mentioning the patron saint of craft suds, Saint Arnold. Even if it wasn’t the most established in the biz, this ‘90s baby is easily Houston’s baddest, continuing to earn its spot among Lone Star bests. Saint A’s sturdy selection of year-rounds and seasonals keep everyone coming back for more (and attending pub crawls around the city), while beer geeks are kept on their toes thanks to highly coveted specialty releases, including the barrel-aged Bishop’s Barrel and single-batch Divine Reserve series. The brewery got a major facelift a few years back, expanding its footprint to include a gorgeous indoor restaurant slinging Amber Ale Bratwurst and Fire Emoji Wings, plus a giant, partially-covered beer garden with outdoor taps, yard games, and skyline views. To boot, Superfine Hard Seltzer has entered the chat. Key beers: Lawnmower Kölsch, H-Town Pils, Art Car IPA, Pumpkinator Stout How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://www.toasttab.com/saint-arnold-beer-garden-restaurant/v3" target="_blank">online</a> for curbside drive-thru.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

This eco-friendly outpost uses renewable energy, composts its hops, and recycles spent grain to feed a local dairy farmer's cows, which is all pretty cool. Perhaps the coolest thing about Lone Pint, though, is its beloved Yellow Rose IPA: a malty, fruit-laced number regarded as one of the tastiest beers in the state. A multitude of hoppy and quaffable Texas ales floods this joint’s refreshed beer garden, along with festive happenings including live music, pop-up markets, pub games like bingo and trivia, and weekend food trucks. Key beers: Yellow Rose IPA, Gentleman's Relish English Brown Ale, The Jabberwocky India Pale Ale How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Lone Pint Brewery

The rules are that there are no rules at this adventurous locale, which outgrew its first home on Nolda thanks to surging demand. Its newer, bigger digs are a three-story, 28,000-square-foot brewtopia in <a href="https://www.sawyeryards.com/" target="_blank">Sawyer Yards</a>, where fans can score BuffBrews along with prime views of downtown and outrageous eats (i.e. Smoked Birria Nachos and homemade Haute Pockets). Said brews come in radical flavors that challenge everything you thought you knew about craft beer—think Smoke on the Bayou, a “bigass malt bomb,” made with malts smoked at local barbecue spots, or the crisp and crushable Key Lime Pie. In non-beer related but still important news, the brewery’s also entered the hard seltzer game (surprise, surprise). Key beers: Crush City IPA, Black Raz Imperial Stout, More Cowbell Double IPA How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or call 713-714-3335.

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.

This homegrown original considers itself less of a brewery and more of a laboratory, pumping out complex sippers in what appears to be the middle of the woods. With over seven acres in the great outdoors—plus cool additions like food trucks, ping-pong, and horseshoes—hanging at the brewery is a choice way to spend your time (kids and pets are welcome, too). Most importantly, it’s where you‘ll find B-52’s latest, limited-release tinkerings. Key beers: B52 Pils, Festbier Lager, Wheez the Juice American Pale Ale How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

B-52 Brewing Company

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this lovable company knows its stuff. The brainchild of two homebrewers with scientific backgrounds, Ingenious’ small-batch fleet proves that blending science with imagination (plus beer knowledge, passion, and a dash of hard work) results in some pretty outstanding brews. The air-conditioned taproom rocks 24 fresh, inspired drafts each day, harnessing offbeat ingredients to create tart fruited sours, hopped-up pale ales, and velvety pastry stouts. There’s also an outdoor beer garden and frothy “frozen beer toppers” to keep your brews properly frosted, and they’ll happily fill up crowlers and growlers to-go. Key beers: Citra Pils , Lapu Lapu Sour, Tex Coast IPA How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://ingeniousbeer.square.site/" target="_blank">online</a>.

Ingenious Brewing Co.

Ingenious Brewing Company

Founded in 2011 and becoming a part of AB InBev’s craft-focused High End portfolio in 2016, Karbach’s stable of gargantuan brews is an undeniable powerhouse, earning the brewery a perpetual mention in any list of Houston essentials. What started as a passion project has turned into a sight to see, with an onsite gastropub, massive beer garden complete with a stage for live music, and shiny heavy-duty production facilities. Most refreshing addition to the Karbach scene? A killer Ranch Water hard seltzer. Key beers: Crawford Bock, Hopadillo IPA, Love Street Blonde How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Karbach Brewing Co.

Named after the fault line that runs beneath the brewery, there’s no shaky ground at this neighborhood tour de force, just easy livin’... and even easier drinking. That’s thanks to a stronghold of crisp, approachable brews that pretty much everybody can get down with. Like many breweries before it, Eureka started out as a dream job for three homebrewers (one of whom cut his chops at Saint Arnold). And once their homebrews turned out tasty enough, the wives got on board and the Houston beer community quickly followed suit. Today, Eureka is a place for good beer and fun times, with year-round crafts (like the surprisingly light and sessionable cream ale, the Buckle Bunny) and bold new additions (try the pineapple and toasted coconut kissed Le Tigre Hazy IPA) available by the pint, taster, flight, and take-home crowler, plus goodies like trivia, steak nights, and monthly bike rides. Key beers: Buckle Bunny Cream Ale, Mini Boss IPA, Wicket Awesome ESB How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://commerce.arryved.com/location/BdmO4_Cj#orderingMenu" target="_blank">online</a>.

Eureka Heights

Eureka Heights Brew Co.

With backgrounds ranging from oil and gas to theater, this group of passionate beer drinkers-turned-creators took a barebones warehouse and transformed it into one of Houston’s most sought-after breweries. These guys realize it’s basically always hot in Houston, so the focus here is on drinkable styles that both excite your palate and quench your thirst when it's 100 degrees outside. Grab regulars like the super sessionable 7-Iron Blonde or special and seasonal releases like the Duck Duck Juice hazy pale ale alongside food truck bites at the taproom or get ‘em to go via the drive-thru pickup. Key beers:7-Iron Blonde Ale, Hipster Sauce IPA How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

11 Below Brewing Company

It’s been a boomtown ever since SpindleTap first opened its doors at the turn of 2015. Paying homage to Texas’ gusher age, the theme throughout this liquid gold purveyor is all things Lone Star State. The brewery goes hard on hops, with hazy IPAs and DIPAs like the all American Hop Gusher IPA and the juicy and tropical Houston Haze, hit with lush notes of guava, pineapple, and grapefruit. Pony up to the taproom to gush over them all. Key beers:Hop Gusher IPA, Houston Haze, Black Gold Imperial Coffee Stout How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order <a href="https://shop.spindletap.com/" target="_blank">online</a>.

SpindleTap Brewery

Spindletap Brewery

Beer

The 14 Most Essential Craft Breweries in Houston to Visit This Winter

Best Breweries in Houston: Where to Drink the Best Craft Beer

Houston’s craft beer game has been around longer than today’s latest crop of legal drinkers, dating back to the year 1994, when the Patron Saint of Beers himself, Saint Arnold, shipped its first keg of beer.

Astral Brewing

Featured In

The 14 Most Essential Craft Breweries in Houston to Visit This Winter

More From Thrillist

Your Guide to Riding One of Amtrak’s Most Scenic Train Routes Along the Pacific Coast

The Coast Starlight offers breathtaking views of the Pacific coast. Here's everything you need to know about taking the trip.

Hurricane Turn, the Alaska Railroad Train You Can Flag Down Like a Taxi

What America’s last flagstop train lacks in amenities, it makes up for in off-the-grid adventure.

Everything You Need to Know About Colorado’s Psychedelics Laws

Times are definitely changing.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Thinks You Should Eat a Fistful of Crickets

And other favorite travel meals from the ‘Modern Family’ star and foodie podcast host.

This Rocky Mountain Railroad Will Transport You Back in Time to the Gold Rush

Make old timey memories on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Hit the Beach, Watch Lucha Libre, and More Things to Do in Chicago This Memorial Day Weekend

These are all your local must-hit music and food festivals, events, movies, markets, deals, and concerts to help you make the most of your weekend.

Explore, Eat, and Shop at These AAPI-Owned Businesses in NYC

A century-old porcelain shop, whimsical bakery, zen yoga studio, and more.

The Best Roadside Attractions Between Las Vegas and Los Angeles

Magic mountains, ghost towns, and more must-see roadside kitsch.

Oysters, Shots, and Sliders: The Best Happy Hours in Every Chicago Neighborhood

From oysters deals to beer-and-shot specials, these are your best bets for happy hour.

Country Music on a Lagoon and More Fun Things to Do in Houston This Weekend

Don’t forget to picnic in the park or bask in a German biergarten.

Hot Luck Fest Returns and More Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend

Plus, plenty of Memorial Day Weekend happenings around the city.

Skate a Retro Roller Rink, Plus More Fun Things to Do in Phoenix This Weekend

Flashback to the ’90s or get artsy in the desert.