Can I get Beamish Irish Stout in Houston?
 

I first heard about Beamish on a TV program called the thirsty traveller, and was lucky enough to try a pint in Madrid, yet I haven't been able to find a place to buy it in Houston.

I've checked on Beamish's website www.beamish.ie and they claim to have a distributor in Texas.

Does anybody have any info on where I can get ahold of some of this stuff? Its a rather large brewery so I was suprised some of the local stores I've looked at didn't have it.

(I have tried at the Spec's clear lake location and the "Beer Manager" claims its not in the spec's inventory so he can't get it.)

Thanks for any info...

The distributor is Glazer's. I'd call them direct and ask where (if) it's available in Houston:

GLAZER'S OF TEXAS - HOUSTON
9350 EAST POINT DRIVE
P O BOX 2686
HOUSTON , TX 77262
Phone: (713) 791-9830
Fax: (713) 796-9627

Trader Joe's sells canned Beamish, http://www.traderjoes.com for store locations (they aren't in Texas).

I love Beamish, you can buy it in the cans at Target super stores here in Florida. Try the target stores down there.

Thanks for the posts, still no luck. The target idea got me really excited though cause there's one just down the street.

I called the spec's main warehouse in Houston, and they said that they cannot get it because of a state law that allows them to only get products from distributors inside the county.

Apparently no one in Harris country distributes it, include glazer's of houston (Beamish's site actually says Glazer's of Louisiana, and has a Louisiana area coded number for them)

Does anyone know of a good website to order beers and wines from, cause that will probably be my best bet.

Thanks,

Andrew

I'm sorry to break it to you, but that's a bad bet.

Because individual states tax alcoholic beverages, most of them make sales of those products via the Internet rather than via a local distributor or wholesaler against the law. Even where it is legal, it's expensive. It's one thing to pay an extra ten or twenty percent of the purchase price if you're thinking of paying $500 for a case of some high-end wine, but if you figure to pay $25 for a case of Beamish, you'd pay maybe double the list price -- that's another $50 or so -- in fees, shipping charges and your local taxes. I'd say your best bet will be to find some area where you can get Beamish and make a road trip or a mileage run.

You also might want to try the stout that's brewed in Houston by your local St. Arnold's Brewing Co. (St. Arnold is the patron saint of beer and brewers).

http://www.saintarnold.com/products/profiles/stout.html

I write for a magazine that covers brewpubs and microbreweries; we have a reporter based in Houston and I've sent him an e-mail to ask if he has any advice or suggestions for you. I'll let you know what I hear back.

I came to the same conclusion last night, I am going to call the distributor in Houston even though I don't think they distribute it, and see if they can tell if its distributed to a neighboring county.

I am very well acquainted with the entire St. Arnolds line, their Lawnmower, and IPA brews are chilling in my beer fridge as I type this :D But the stout was a dissapointment to me, seemed to wattery and lacked the thickness you're used to with a true Irish Stout.

Try Keneally's Irish Pub on Sheperd. There's live music there also.

M8

Also try Richmond Arms on Richmond near Fountainview, or the Gingerman in the Rice Village.

BSL

Spec's is usually pretty good about tracking down stuff for you. I think a problem you may run into is that for something to be sold in Texas, there's a bunch of red tape to go through (e.g., TABC has to approve the lable).

Even then, you're at the mercy of the distributor to carry it. Gotta love the three-tier system. :mad: :mad: :mad: