The League of Extraordinary Brewers

The League of Extraordinary Brewers was an interesting brewery. It felt more like a kitchen converted to a tiny brewery. At one point one of the breweries came out with a test tube sample of a beer here was working on. During my visit, they only had two of their own beers on tap: Oats McGoats oatmeal stout and Charlie’s Chocolate Porter. I also had a Czar of Texas imperial Russian stout and a Lone Pint Yellow Rose Smash. I’d definitely check this little place out because it offers great beers in a small, quaint brewery.

I’m saddened to hear that this location has closed. If my visit was any indication, this was an underappreciated and underpatronized beer tasting room just north of downtown, featuring some really good local and home brews — and that’s from the perspective of someone coming from the vibrant craft brewing environment of California.
The bartender was friendly and willing to educate about different styles of beer and about the mechanics of homebrewing. They also offered cheese plates and other small bites to help you soak up the booze. And a good experience was made even better by the presence of a Unilocal deal. This was truly another great find thanks to Unilocal

One of a kind beers walking distance from the OKRA/​Bad News block.
Admittedly, I can only have wine, sangria!, or cider (curse the gluten) but there are beers on tap that were brewed right there.
ALWAYS:
_​impresses my out of town guests
_​a gluten-​free drink choice
_​unassuming (even back when Café Luz was there)
_​clean bathrooms
_​games available (but not like Kung Fu Saloon, think video games like Nintendo 64 or board games like Cards Against Humanity)
USUALLY:
_​not SO crowded we have to yell over the music/​hum
_​friendly strangers to have conversation with
_​a gluten-​free menu option (asked if accommodation was available and haven’t been disappointed)
_​not too hard to find parking

Best brewpub in Houston.
Don’t quite understand some of these other reviews. They seem a little unforgiving of what is obviously a small and new business.

I got the Unilocal deal ($ 15 for $ 20 worth of food) and was told it was taken off my bill, but it was not, and totally my bad, I did not check the bill until I left.
An email to the owner letting her know my experience (before I Unilocaled) produced a very friendly, sincere email of apologies and offers of a free cheese plate next time.
The sangria was delicious. The beer is ok, but what do I know. I came here for the food and was in SHOCK when I got it, and not in a good way.
I paid $ 15 for a plate of charcuterie in which all of the ingredients literally could’ve fit into the palm of my tiny hands. $ 11 for a pizza that was thin, small piece of phyllo dough with some bacon on top. Thai Mac and Cheese was soft and bland.
Apparently I was there when the chef as out of town, will update on food again if I go back!

I had a blood orange pale ale that was pretty good and the place seems interesting when you walk in, but if you walk past the first two tables into the kitchen area, this place becomes weird as hell. It’s like stepping into someone’s dirty kitchen/​living room area. Couches, box TVs, Nintendos, board games, a dirty floor and a mess of a kitchen. Menu looks creative, but I wasn’t hungry and the food portions looked very small for the price. $ 9 for side serving of macaroni & cheese?

A tiny little shop off of Main Street that looks like a living room more than a bar. It works though.
A small selection of interesting brews on tap with a very informative crew of beer enthusiasts. The food selection is minimal but sounded amazing — just wasn’t hungry enough to try any.
Would stop by again on a late weekday for a nice chat and a beer.

So disappointed with this place. Unlike Paul, I won’t be coming back three times unless there’s a really good explanation. My BF and I were enjoying a weekend of exploring Houston (we had done all the local fun stuff, Hermann Park and the pedal boats, the museum of natural science/​butterfly exhibit, OKRA lounge, habanero drinks at El Big Bad, etc.) and thought, based on the Unilocal reviews of this place and the Unilocal OFFER for a free brewery tour if you check in, that we would do a little tour. I love brewing home brews, have a degree in chemical engineering (e.g. how to process oil or make beer hehe), so we both figured this would be a cool spot to see some pilot versions of some cool batches in action (and be able to impart my über chemE nerdiness on him), but when we checked in, after we asked the guy at the front desk who had not greeted us if he was still doing tours for the evening, (and annotated that we had checked in), said, «we don’t really have a tour. I’d just be showing you stuff we have in the back there (gesturing) and there’s not much there. Yeah, we’re between brews».
Dude! Could you have hyped it up a little to say, «yes, I can! We are in a unique situation now where we are bewteen brewers, but let me tell you a little about this place and what we do for local brewers…» you would have had two really small wanna be brewers all interested in the next step up to production beyond a small superbowl crowd… but instead we were heartbroken. We left head down, disappointed by the level of service and promises unmet.
A simple hello from the guy at the front desk would have brought the score to two, as now I am finding that there’s all this cool stuff in the back that we may have wanted to enjoy. Thanks front dude for setting up the expectataion that we shouldn’t expect much. What a sad afternoon. Thank goodness for the redemption of Bombay Pizza.

Third time coming here. Third time being disappointed. I know I am going to probably get another note from the owner, and maybe even the brewer (like my last review). I am sorry, as much as I respect the place, I have been that let down.
OK, I said they had 8^th Wonder last review. Apparently I got that mistaken with another brewery. The last few times around, I am still not impressed with the selection. Two house brews this last visit, both Wits. This time, Oskar Blues (nice), and Crazy Mountain (beyond mediocre) as guest taps. Anyway, that is just my opinion. Unless I miss read the tap handles, and did ask what else was available, that was it (which of coarse is possible I didn’t remember/​take note of everything). The wit they made was good, not great. Though considering the Belgian Strong Dark Ale, among a few others I have had are very good, I know the brewer has talent. The most recent not being my favorite. No harm in that. I still just can’t believe this… All beer was being served in solo cups… really? is this a college party? With plenty correct glassware, clean and in view behind the bar.
I am still not a fan of the set up. The front room is just to small for more than a handful of people. There are some seats in the back along the kitchen, and a lounge area to play video games.
The service is very friendly, just slow. The food takes forever to come out. I don’t know what kind of prep has to be done for grilled cheese, but after a wait, I saw the bartender put together cheese on three half sandwiches in a waffle press. Which took all of a half minute. It obviously does not take over 15 minutes to put a few slices of cheese on bread. I don’t mind waiting, and good simple pub grub is the best. Though it seems like an unorganized mess to get food. Which is not nearly as good as say D&T’s Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese.
Like all negative reviews, I don’t want to pile on. Especially for a place that I want to love. I am sorry to the owners/​people involved. I will continue to try the place out from time to time. I just feel I can have a better beer bar experience at many places throughout the city. I really want to love the only true brewpub in the city. Just not doing it for me right now.

I would like to talk about the food and beer at this place but unfortunately I never got to try it. Me and a group walked in and were greeted by no one, there were a few people who appeared to work there but no one said a word they just carried on with what they were doing. After sitting at a table for about 15 minutes looking around for a sign that might tell us how this placed worked, a person who at first appeared to be a customer walked past and said «hi» and kept walking. After he walked behind the bar we found out he was the manager on duty. My buddy finally got up and asked for some assistance and the gentleman spoke just to him as opposed to all of us at the table so we had no idea what he was saying. I love the idea of this place and for that reason alone I’ll try and give it another chance, but if they don’t get a lesson in customer service fast, this place is doomed for failure.

Fantastic brews. We had a flight and followed up with the Wizards pride and joy. Very tasty.
Concept is interesting and has a lot of promise. Many young people playing games while we drank.
Food was different but very good. Had the bacon beer pizza. Wife had pork Mac and cheese. Both were excellent.
Wizard was chatty and nice. Hope this sticks around.

I love what they are doing with this place. It’s new, so they are still working on the interior, and working out some other kinks, but so far I am in love. The gaming room in the back is an excellent idea, and allows for the crowds to spread out when it starts getting too crowded towards the front. There are a wide variety of beers on tap – there is something for everyone! I have tried quite a few, and am in love with everything so far! The staff is very friendly and genuinely want to please everyone.

Like the history stated, this place used to be Kitchen Incubator, but the owner made this place a haven for beer brewers to make their own beer with professional equipment on site. The goal for this place is definitely a brew pub. Right now I have only tasted beers from one of the current member, Warlocks: Games and Beer. Jonny and his pal have created beers with unique taste. They also named those beers in the Fantasy D&D style names like Health Potion and Green Ogre.
So far all of his beers are great and unique to what’s out there in the market. Especially Green Ogre as it has green pepper flavor so the spicy really makes a difference. I haven’t try Spillers’ beer yet but hopefully I will get to one day. I’ve been here for special events only and those special events the owner would provide small food and the food have been pretty good so far, especially the amaretto cheesecake goes great with the Nuttier Tax Collector beer.
In the back there’s some old school gaming system up and running for people to use and play with each other. There’s also lots of board games and people actually bring their own Magic cards to play. In fact, this is like a gaming store (not video gaming store) but that actually have beers to go with your gaming. There’s definitely still a lot of works in process but I can’t wait to see them on their grand opening.

I heard about this place through a conversation with some friends and decided to check it out during their Graphic Art & Beer Exhibition! Great crowd & I’m definitely looking forward to more events here. Open taps 4 – 8 in a cool developing space; great people. And a delicious variety of beer from a variety of brewers!