Andy: It’s November in Texas and the temperatures are perfect for visiting Galveston Island. So, we packed up our pups Lucy & Sophie for a little weekend road trip! 🐾🐶
Visiting Galveston in November is a very pleasant experience with milder weather, fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to peak summertime. 🌴
We walked the beach, admired the Victorian architecture, and visited the historic Strand district without the intense summer heat. And of course, enjoyed two hugely different breweries – Galveston Island Brewing and Naked Iguana Brewery.
Leesl: While I am normally focused on the Longhorn’s latest football game, this weekend was dedicated to finding the best brews on the island! It was a great neutral territory where Andy’s Chicago tastes and my Texas preferences could agree on something!
The verdict is in early: While both spots offered a unique Galveston atmosphere, the beer selection and quality at Galveston Island Brewing stood out! Read on as Leesl and I will take you through our flights to explain why.
Galveston Island Brewing
Leesl: This is a relaxed and family-friendly spot with a hometown vibe. It is a place for the whole family, as they welcome kids and dogs into the yard area and the playground is a major plus.
We loved sitting on their deck in comfortable yellow chairs, enjoying the nice weather and relaxed daytime atmosphere. As the sun went down, the ambiance shifted as the lights began twinkling above us, making it a perfect spot for happy hour and into the evening.
We each ordered a flight, and this is where the story gets really good – the variety and flavors of their beer is outstanding.
Andy: My flight choices were –
- Math is Hard, a Double IPA, 9.2% ABV. Normally I do not opt for a citrusy hop flavor, but this was surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. The name is described by the brewery as a “delicious mistake” of doubling the hops, creating a “mathterpiece.”
- Causeway Kolsch, 5.2% ABV. A light-colored beer with a clear blonde appearance, it has a subtle fruitiness, bready malt flavor, and light hop notes. The beer’s name and theme are inspired by the Causeway, the bridge that links Galveston Island to the mainland.
- Low Tide Light, Light Lager, 4.2% ABV. I found this beer to be smooth and refreshing. A nice beer for a day on the beach or any casual occasion.
- Tiki Wheat, American Wheat, 5.8% ABV. Easily, one of the best beers. Period! It is no surprise it is award winning and that the brewery calls it “The Official Beer of Galveston.” This is your essential game day beer – light, refreshing, and ready to get you through all four quarters!
Leesl: And my four picks were –
- Tiki Colada, Fruited Wheat, 5.8% ABV. This was hands down my favorite beer of my flight and tied with the Tiki Wheat that Andy selected as his favorite. This beer just screams I’m at the beach! Light, smooth and bursting with pineapple, coconut, and banana flavors. I was in love at first sip!
- Drunk Dunkel, 5.2% ABV. This was an easy to drink smooth, dark lager, not overly heavy. So balanced with the sweet notes of caramel, toffee, and a subtle hint of chocolate. I think this is the perfect brew to pair with some heavy-hitting Texas BBQ brisket or smoked sausage – the ultimate winter tailgate beer for a cool day.
- Recooperator, Doppelbock, 8.3% ABV. This was a rich, malty German-style lager with a flavor of a dark fruit, toasty finish. It is described as “bread in a glass.” I honestly didn’t know what that meant! This historic German style was traditionally brewed by monks as a liquid sustenance during Lenten fasts, so the rich, toasty, and malty flavors made it effectively a meal replacement.
- Coconut Samson in a Barrel, Aged Imperial Stout, 12% ABV. If I had not already fallen in love with the Tiki Colada, this would have been my second favorite of the flight. The blend of dark chocolate and rich coconut is as good as it gets.
Andy: Visiting Galveston Island Brewing was a wonderful experience all around. The beers were phenomenal, and the brewery had a fantastic, local feel that made the visit even better.
Leesl: I totally agree with you Andy! I had a wonderful time, and I was equally impressed with the quality and taste of the beer. And the staff is so helpful and friendly. We will make this a regular stop whenever we visit Galveston! Now, I am looking forward to visiting our next place:
Naked Iguana Brewery
Andy: Located in The Strand, the historic and vibrant downtown district known for its nineteenth century architecture, shopping and dining, the Naked Iguana Brewery is an extremely popular spot for locals and tourists.
The space is large with a unique long, curving bar with distinct areas to sit and enjoy conversation and live music. While we loved the classic, historic atmosphere of The Strand, the beer selection here was a bit more hit-or-miss for us compared to our first stop.
Leesl: I liked blending brewery charm with a playful iguana flight carrier!
Leesl: My flight choices –
- Local Lu ’au, Pacific Pale Ale, 6.2% ABV. This is their Hawaiian-style pale ale with tropical notes, brewed with a touch of honey.
- For Whom the Belgian Tolls, Belgian Pale Ale, 6.4% ABV. The copper color of this beer was striking, and the flavors were malty and fruity.
- Strawberry Wheat, American Wheat Ale, 5.3% ABV. This was my favorite of my flight – I enjoyed the strawberry flavor, notes of citrus and crisp finish.
- High Five the Popo!, Rye IPA, 7.6% ABV. This beer is named as a “nod to one of the owner’s previous careers as a police officer” which is a great name. It has a strong, rich malt flavor that would pair nicely with buffalo wings or a meaty pizza while watching your favorite game.
Andy: For my flight, I choose the following –
- Hefeweizen, 5.3% ABV. I was a little surprised with this taste. I normally enjoy a Hef, but from reading about the brew process, this is brewed with a special yeast, and it has a unique flavor profile. It was not my favorite.
- Battleship Texas Blonde Ale, American Blonde Ale, 5.5% ABV. This is a nice, smooth, medium-bodied blonde ale with a slight nutty finish.
- Murky Surf Hipster, Double IPA, 8.3% ABV. This is a very fruit forward IPA that leans into a heavy citrus flavor which was a little bitter for my taste.
- G-Town Brown, Brown Ale, 6% ABV. I enjoyed this sweet and malty beer, rich with flavors of caramel and nuts. The richness here would be a great match for a classic cheddar burger after a day on The Strand or post-game celebratory dinner. It was my favorite of this flight.
Leesl: We were on the same page with the G-Town Brown. I liked this beer, and it was a nice compliment to the atmosphere which I loved. The place is large, and even though it was crowded on a Saturday evening, it felt cozy and welcoming. They have a great beer selection, and the location is perfect. You can grab a beer on the go to sip and shop your way down The Strand!
Now, the final verdict: between the two, did we agree on our favorite Andy?
Andy: It is tough to judge the two based on atmosphere. If you want a truly family-friendly, dog-friendly yard, then Galveston Island Brewing is the place to go. If you want something more traditional, then maybe the edge would go to Naked Iguana.
But if we are judging from the beer experience, we both agree that the beer at Galveston Island Brewing is our pick. 🏆
Andy’s fav: Tiki Wheat
Leesl’s fav: Tiki Colada
Which Galveston spot is your go-to?
Leesl: In the ultimate head-to-head matchup, Galveston Island Brewing is our MVP, winning with the most consistent offense (their exceptional beer quality). Naked Iguana is a great draft pick for atmosphere and location!
Have you tried either of these breweries? Let us know in the comments which brew you enjoyed the most!
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