Leesl: You know how there are some things you just assume you’ve done because you’ve lived nearby for so long? For us it was First Monday Trade Days in Canton. It’s been on our radar for years, yet somehow, we’d never actually made the hour-and-a-half drive.

Well, on a random Sunday back on March 1st, we realized our calendar was actually clear. No plans, no excuses. We decided right then and there to just get on the road and finally see what all the fuss was about!

It turned out to be the best “impulse trip” ever. While wandering through the grounds, we stumbled across a beer truck that changed our entire weekend. One pour of their Bavarian Hefeweizen and I was floored—it had those perfect, authentic notes of clove and banana. When the gal at the truck told us the brewery, Q & Brew, was located at the Silver Spur Resort nearby, I didn’t just want another pint—I wanted to move in.

I went home and immediately booked us an adorable Treehouse Cabin at the resort. If I’m going “camping,” I’m doing it 20 feet in the air with AC and a short walk to the taproom!

Andy: I have to hand it to Leesl—this weekend was a touchdown. A climate-controlled treehouse with a wrap-around deck and a brewery on-site? That’s my kind of nature walk.

Our home for the weekend. Who knew ‘roughing it’ could look this good?

This is my “careful” shot of the cabin. If I turned the camera two inches to the left, you’d see our RV neighbors, but from this angle?

Pure treetop bliss!

The Pour: From the Truck to the Taproom! 🍻

Since we were staying right on the property, we decided to go all-in. We each ordered a flight of four, which allowed us to sample all eight craft beers on their current menu. We made sure no tap was left behind—we needed to see if the rest of the lineup could keep pace with that first Trade Day Hefe.

• The “See What I’m Saying” Hefe: This is the one that lured us to the resort in the first place. It’s a true Bavarian-style Hefeweizen. Most attempt the style, but Q & Brew nails the balance of clove and banana without it being overwhelming. It’s crisp, naturally cloudy, and exactly what a Texas spring afternoon calls for.
• “Millions of Peaches” Wheat: This was the big surprise of the weekend. We both loved it so much that I’m already brainstorming how to plan a summer party around this one beer. It’s incredibly fruit-forward but stays light on the palate—not sugary or syrupy. It’s the ultimate “porch-sipper.” 🍑✨
• The “Tripel Double”: For when you want something with a bit more “kick.” This Belgian-style Tripel is a powerhouse, but it goes down dangerously smooth. It’s complex, slightly spicy, and makes you very glad the “commute” back to the treehouse is just a short stroll. 🥊

Sampling the full flight was a wonderful warm-up, but it was time to see if the smokehouse could hold its own against the brewery. We moved from the taps to the table to see if the ‘Q’ in their name lived up to the “Brew.”

The Plate: Q-Balls & Cowboy Comfort! 🍖

You can’t have a smokehouse on the premises and not test the pit. From the first bite of the appetizers, you just knew these folks know exactly what they were doing.

Holy Q – Must Try Bites!

We kicked things off with the Q-Balls and the Cowboy Stuffers. If you haven’t had a Q-Ball—a deep-fried blend of boudin, brisket, and pepper jack cheese—you’re missing out on a Texas delicacy. Between those and the stuffers, we knew the main course was going to be something special.

Those starters proved the kitchen knew their way around a fryer, but now the real test was waiting in the smoker. We cleared the table to make room for the heavy hitters we’d been eyeing on the menu:

• Andy’s “The Texan”: Andy went for the gold with a pulled pork sandwich topped with a zesty jalapeño slaw. The pork was piled high and perfectly smoky, but that slaw added a crunch and a heat that really pulled the whole “play” together.
• Leesl’s Two-Meat Plate: I went the traditional route with the brisket and the habanero garlic sausage. The brisket had that beautiful smoke ring and a bark that melted in your mouth. But that sausage? Wow! The garlic hits you first, followed by a slow, creeping habanero heat that’s just enough to make you reach for another sip of that Peach Wheat.

We rounded it all out with their Q & Brew pinto beans. This wasn’t just “campground food”—this was championship-level BBQ.

From First Monday to Full Belly!

Leesl: Now, I’ll be honest: the “resort” itself is definitely a work in progress. At the end of the day, was it exactly like the glossy photos online? Not quite. But I’m so glad we stayed. The treehouse cabin was charming, cozy, and exactly the kind of “elevated” experience we were looking for. The food and beer at Q & Brew were worth the drive alone. We left with full bellies and a new favorite Peach Wheat, and that’s a successful weekend in our book.

Andy: Leesl comes up with some goofy ideas sometimes, but I have to admit, “sleeping in a tree” was a new one for me. For a guy who has never even stepped foot in a cabin before, I handled my transition into the Great Outdoors surprisingly well—though having a world-class brewery fifty yards away definitely helped ease the culture shock. If this is what “roughing it” looks like, I might just be a cabin guy after all!

What about y’all? Have you ever visited a spot that was a little different than the website suggested, but the food saved the day? Let’s hear your “hidden gem” stories in the comments! 👇👇👇