No Label Brewing Co- Open House

Erin and I met at Los Cucos in Katy before heading over to No Label Brewing Co, a brand new brewery in Katy that does an open house on Saturdays from 1-3Pm. They offer glasses, tshirts, koozies and other merchandise for sale, but the beer is free! I picked up a pint glass, tshirt and koozie. They ask you to limit the samples to 4, but since we are badasses and got on the good side of the owners we had a few more than that ;). The President Gilberto Royo (you’ll know him by his sweet hat) and his son, Brian the head brewer, are quite the gentlemen. They talked with us about their hopes for the brewery and about distribution and where they want to see their beers on tap. I tried to get a job but no luck, maybe when they expand! It was a really cool experience and I think we’ll be back soon! On tap at the brewery were 3 of their 4 initial offerings of No Label beer: The Ridgeback Amber Ale, El Hefe Hefeweisen and Pale Horse American Ale. They didn’t have the Silo Blonde Ale, maybe next weekend. Erin and I posted up under some old rice elevators away from the rain but close enough to get our refills! There were kids running around playing, and people everywhere enjoying No Label, seems ike their genius free beer marketing plan may be working. Below are some pictures from the brewery, the beer kept me from taking more, my multi-tasking sucks when beer is involved.

Entrance, No Label Brewing Co, Katy Texas

Hops & Chocolate, No Label Brewing Co, Katy, Texas

The Beer:

Ridgeback Ale
Brewed by: No Label Brewing Co, Katy, Texas
ABV: ?
Style: American Amber Ale

No Label Brewing Co, Ridgeback Amber Ale, Katy, Texas

The Taste:
This was definitely my favorite of the No Label brews being offered. It is described as having “slight toasty/chocolate tones, balanced with just the right amount of hops for a sweet but slightly bitter ale” which happens to be a perfect description. For such a small capacity brewery the beers were consistent and very good, nothing super extraordinary, but definitely what I would equate to a table wine. Something you can have on hand all the time and not many people will be disappointed, hopefully affordable and available. I could taste all the notes they said were there, the hops were not overpowering at all and let the chocolate shine through.

The Beer:
El Hefe
Brewed by: No Label Brewing Co, Katy, Texas
ABV: ?
Style: Hefeweisen

No Label Brewing Co, El Hefe Hefeweisen, Katy, Texas

The Taste:
I hate that I said the Amber was my favorite, because I think it’s a tie. This German unfiltered wheat beer was so excellent. A slight citrus and banana taste make it such a perfect Texas hot summer night beer. I had seconds on this one for sure. It is described as having “hints of spice and cloves” as well as being light bodied. The spice notes were ever so slight and personally glad there wasn’t more.

The Beer:
Pale Horse
Brewed by: No Label Brewing Co, Katy, Texas
ABV: ?
Style: American Pale Ale

No Label Brewing Co, Pale Horse Ale, Katy, Texas

The Taste:
Since I am not the biggest fan of massive hops in a beer, this was my least favorite, but relative to other beers of this style, it was still quite good. The Pale Horse is brewed with whole hops which gives it a medium body and thus, “hoppier than its British Version”. It smells of citrus and you can definitely taste that as well too. Very smooth for a beer that has that much hops.

Overall, the Royo family knows what they’re doing. I cannot wait to taste the 4th year round beer, the Silo Ale, as well as some seasonal beers they plan on brewing. Congrats to them for expanding the craft beer community in the burbs, and doing it well. Below is Erin, Brian Royo (the brewer) and I.

Erin Dutka, Brian Royo, Me, No Label Brewing Co, Katy Texas

See you next weekend!