Following on the success of his downtown Houston Hall, owner Joe Bloostein opened the doors to this ode to beers in the spring of 2013, and has been humming along since. Two floors offer distinct experiences. Upstairs, wooden trappings and vintage four-seater tables beckon beer drinkers in a pub-ish restaurant setting amid a range of decades-old wall decorations. Downstairs feels like a beer hall, with long wooden tables offering a more social experience. On the exposed-brick wall, a mural of a baseball player in a beer mug watches over the whole proceedings. While beer is certainly the focus, the food is also worth trying. We stopped in for lunch and found that the grilled veggies plate was a revelation as was the interesting bohemian chicken tikka masala wontons. While the atmosphere at lunchtime was peaceful, coming by at 5:30 on a Thursday night, was a whole different story. Both floors were hopping with crowds downing beers and engaged in very loud conversations. A great vibe and a true example of how Joe Bloostein has another hit on his hands.
