Do you remember your first birthday? I doubt you do. Snapshots and embarrassing stories aside, first birthdays are directly memorable only to those adults who brought presents, said silly things and otherwise enjoyed some simple amusement at your expense. But business birthdays are an entirely different matter and one popular Houston craft beer bar is about to reach the ripe old age of one and celebrate in a big and memorable way. Here is some background information:
Who: Hay Merchant
What: 1st Birthday celebration
Where: Hay Merchant, 1100 Westheimer Rd., Houston
When: Friday, February 15, 2013 starting at 3 p.m.
Why: To celebrate the first year of Hay Merchant’s existence
Founded by Kevin Floyd and Bobby Heugel, Hay Merchant is a favorite among Houston’s craft beer crowd. Named in honor of the German immigrant Michael Louis Westheimer, a man who was influential in Houston’s early days and worked as a hay merchant, this establishment is a great place to visit if you love craft beer. It offers about 75 different brands on tap and takes great care to make sure the beer is served just right by a staff that is quite knowledgeable on beer flavors, styles, and pairings.
For this special occasion, Hay Merchant plans to serve beer from Kevin Floyd’s personal stash. Floyd is a hoarder of beer- not just any beer, but kegs of special releases, specially aged beer, and anything else unique and interesting. These kegs will be tapped on Friday in celebration of the big first birthday and to thank customers for their support. Here is a list of beer waiting to be tapped this Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.:
- Sixpoint Brewery 3Beans
- Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA 2012
- Dogfish Head Midas Touch
- Dogfish Head Noble Rot
- Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine
- Stone Vertical Epic 08.08.08
- Stone Vertical Epic 10.10.10
- Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11
- Stone Saison Du BUFF
- Jester King RU-55 (Cask)
- Jester King El Cedro
- Real Ale Scots Gone Wild
- Karbach Bourbon Barrel Aged Hellfighter 2012 (Batch #1)
- Brooklyn Monster Ale 2008
- Real Ale The Highlander 2012
- Avery The Kaiser 2012
- Harpoon Leviathan Quad 2011
- Karbach Bourbon Barrel Aged Rodeo Clown (Cask)
- Karbach Wine Barrel Aged Pumpkin (Cask)
- Unibroue Trois Pistoles 2011
- Sierra Nevada Ovila Quad With Sugar Plums
- Victory Helios Ale
- Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
- Real Ale Empire 2012
- Harpoon Leviathan Czernobog
- Southern Star Bourbon Barrel Aged Buried Hatchet 2010
Included in the above list are some rare beer products no longer available to the public as well as some brands/styles that even the most seasoned craft beer lover has not likely sampled. Some can still be found around Houston, but it’s safe to say that no other tavern or restaurant in the area has so many rare and exclusive beers on hand, ready to be tapped and served for single event.
Along with the beer, Hay Merchant plans to serve some great food and, in keeping with the hard- to- find theme, guests will be treated to some food items no longer found on the current menu. Items like pulled oxtail, meat chips, chicken & waffles, and other foods from the past will return once more for this birthday party celebration.
First birthdays are a big deal in business and Hay Merchant’s one year has certainly been one to celebrate. An excellent and diverse lineup of beer, a well- trained staff, and two highly dedicated owners have combined to create an amazing craft beer establishment. Set aside some time this Friday, take pictures, create your own embarrassing stories, and otherwise have a great and memorable time sampling all of this delicious beer at Hay Merchant, one of Houston’s best beer bars for fine craft brew.
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