Houston Brewing Company

South Street, Houston, Renfrewshire PA6 7E9

Phone: (0) 1505 612620

Website: www.houston-brewing.co.uk

The Fox & Hounds Pub in the village of Houston in Renfrewshire, a short distance from Glasgow Airport, houses the Houston Brewing Company. The brewery started in 1997 after the completion of renovation of the pub's cellar into a brewery. Carl Wengel's family has owned the pub - a listed building dating from 1780 - since 1979 and started serving cask ales there in the early 1990s. The brewing side of the business was started by Carl and his wife Caroline. The pub itself is more than worth the drive out to Houston if you are from or visiting the Glasgow area - highly recommended!

The brew plant was purchased from the Marston Moor Brewery near York and has a capacity of 40 barrels per week with current production running at about 30 barrels per week. The team at Houston is happy with keeping the size of the operation at its present level in order to keep their beers hand-crafted.

Houston brews a constant range of cask conditioned ales and a great many seasonal ales. Please consult the brewery's website for a list of all the seasonals and their availability as it is nigh impossible to keep up with them all. One regularly available bottled ale, "Crystal Ale", a 5.0% ABV golden ale, is also brewed. Hundreds of pubs, hotels and restaurants are supplied throughout the U.K.

It's not difficult to notice the striking difference in the pumpclip designs for "Blonde Bombshell" and "Tartan Terror" in contrast to the long-standing flagship Houston ales. I personally can't help but be reminded of a very historic series of lager cans from Tennent's Brewery in Glasgow, the "Lager Lovelies". The big difference, however, is the quality of the Houston beer behind the beautiful label (I've never been a big fan of Tennent's Lager)! This theme continues in the many Houston seasonals. Quite attractive, I'd say, although I'm still a big fan of the original Houston designs.

Products:

Peter's Well - 4.2% ABV
This is Houston's flagship. A multi award-winning golden ale with a hoppy aroma. The grist is a blend of barley malts and wheat with a fruity hop finish.
Killellan Bitter - 3.7% ABV
A golden, smooth refreshing ale with a zesty hop flavor. This is one of Houston's most popular ales. The name comes from the original name for the town of Houston, "Killellan".
Texas - 4.3% ABV
A ruby-colored, malty beer with a fine balance of roasted malt and hops. The finish is dry and bittersweet.
Warlock Stout - 4.7% ABV
A strong, dark and richly flavored Stout with a smooth body and long, dry finish.
Black And Tan - 4.3% ABV
Black and Tan is traditionally - at least in the U.S. - a blend of half Guinness and half Bass Ale. In reproducing this wonderful combination, the customers at the Fox and Hounds began mixing Warlock Stout with Killellan. The mix is now available year-round.
Blonde Bombshell - 4.0% ABV
A smooth blonde-colored ale that is easy to drink with a balanced maltiness and subtle fruity aftertaste.
Tartan Terror - 4.5% ABV
A mahogany colored ale with roasted malt flavor and delicate hop aroma.