Platypus Brewing Houston

Hands down the best brewery in Houston. Drinks and food come out quick, all of the servers and bartenders are friendly and efficient. Excellent selection of beers, unique and delicious takes on classic bar fare, and shots for those who love to party. If you are from Houston or just visiting, platypus should be on your list.

It was Thursday afternoon; I had just finished the last presentation for the week and had some time to kill before my flight the next day. Platypus Brewing was the closest brewery to my hotel downtown. At only a mile, it would have been a shame to take an Uber. So, I strapped on my walking sandals, grabbed a diet cola, and hit the streets. Intent to take in the sights along the way. Being mid-July, the streets were nuclear. I found myself dancing between pockets of shade. This wasn’t too hard, but once I exited downtown and neared Washington Ave, all shade ceased. My diet cola had long since abandoned me and my 15 min journey became a life and death race against heat exhaustion. Luckily, I made it… but just barely. Upon entering this air-conditioned oasis, disheveled and drenched in sweat, I was greeted by a friendly bar maid who recommended an Ole Chit Mexican lager. (as in Ole Chit its hot outside) She assured me that this was their coldest beer. Indeed, it was sublime and utterly refreshing. The place has an inherently friendly atmosphere with a medium to small interior and a somewhat larger patio. No loud music playing, so it’s easy to converse with friends… or myself in this instance. Platypus Brewing also offers Australian eats. I didn’t sample any as I was focused on hydration, but I did notice more than a few meat pies whizz by. One of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of a successful brewery is the t-shirt selection. Platypus excels in this arena. Several platypus themed shirts were on hand and all sizes were accounted for. I opted for the same shirt that the bar maid was wearing, as well as a couple stickers. The bathroom was glorious, akin to a cold meat locker with urinals. The theme seemed to be that of a 16th century French Chateau, both in size and appearance. I luxuriated in the quiet ambiance, but alas, it’s hard to order a beer from the men’s room. I finished my experience with a hazy IPA, a 3 Mates I believe, once again, delicious. I caught sight of the owner, a gentleman with an Australian accent, so I can confirm some amount of authenticity. There’s not much to dislike about Platypus Brewing. Great beer, good food options, decent swag, and a gloriously cold restroom, all essentials for a finely tuned brewery. Next, I screwed up my courage for the trek back to the hotel. I knew I’d need every ounce of strength of fortitude to make it back alive. But… just a half mile further was another brewery… and then another. It’s a veritable hotbed of brewery activity in this part of town. So, I took the safe option and marched onward toward another beer.