If you're headed to south Texas, you might not be to help but take a visit to one of the area's largest cities.
San Antonio, Texas is the third largest metropolitan area in the state at the crossroads of Interstate Highways 10 and 35. Named after Saint Anthony of Padua, San Antonio first started as a colonial outpost for the Spanish over 300 years ago. Since the annexation of Texas in 1845, San Antonio has been steadily growing at every census into a place with over 1.5 million people.
While in Downtown San Antonio, take a stroll along the River Walk. The San Antonio River runs through the heart of the city, and its banks have been developed into a park-like setting for locals and tourists alike. Walk down the stairs at almost every cross street to find a peaceful and serene environment below all the hustle and bustle of city at the surface. Once you reach Market and Commerce streets, the river splits off to create a commercial loop where many flock. This is where you can find the Go Rio cruise line, which provides guided tours along the river. You may also want to head to Cafe Olé, a fajita bar which offers a Texas-sized 60-ounce margarita containing 13 shots of tequila!
No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a visit to arguably its most famous landmark: The Alamo. The Alamo was a missionary site and fort throughout Spanish and Mexican occupation in the early days of the Americas. At the start of the Texas Revolution, Mexico had lost the fort and the Texas army chose to fortify the location, until the Mexican army attempted to re-take San Antonio in 1836, resulting in the fall of the Alamo, claiming the lives of William Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett, and other notable names in Texas history. Today, this historic landmark offers tours of the grounds, restored cannons, and the original chapel for moments of prayer. It is also the inspiration for the name behind many points in the city, including the nearby football arena: The Alamodome.
Other landmarks that may pique your interest include the Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot high needle-style observation tower built for the 1968 World's Fair; The San Antonio Zoo on the north side, with over 750 species of animals; and the arena on the east side for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs: The AT&T Center.
So the next time you go to south Texas, perhaps consider Following your Internal Compass all the way to San Antonio.
Welcome to San Antonio, Texas: Home of the Alamo, the River Walk, and nestled within the industrial area of the northeastern part of the city, Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling. So come along with us as we take a deeper dive into one of San Antonio's rising stars in the beer world.
Ranger Creek started in 2011 as a whiskey distillery. Shortly after, the company expanded their offerings to brewing beer. The process is mostly the same between the two, so it was a natural fit, as described by brewmaster Harley. All of Ranger Creek's processes are done in house, from the large vats that brew the several different varieties they sell, to a smoker within a shipping container that gives the grains their distinct taste, even bringing in a mobile canning solution to help with packaging and distributing their beers all across Texas. Ranger Creek is very proud of the fact that minimal waste comes from each step of the process, from barrels to kegs to even their cardboard packaging boxes; nearly everything is able to be reused. They are also able to help the community as a whole, not only by offering volunteer opportunities in the whiskey making process, but also providing used dry grain to local farmers who are able to feed their livestock.
As Ranger Creek is nestled within an industrial part of the city, aside from the production, the "Brewstillery" becomes a great place for laborers to kick back after a hard day's work. Once you walk into the taproom, you come into an industrial decor that still lends itself to being an inviting setting, with the walls adorned with their various whiskey offerings, along with the whiskey making process. The taproom includes a couple of seating areas, a lounge with books and board games for your entire party to relax, and a small set of gift shelves to purchase a souvenir to bring home with you. On nice days, perhaps head out to the patio behind the brew factory, among the various garages where the whiskey is allowed to age in a climate-controlled setting.
Ranger Creek is quickly becoming a rising star in the local area for craft brewing, as they offer eight beers on tap along with a selection of whiskey drinks. Their signature beer, the San Antonio Lager, has been a staple on the menu since their inception, and even comes in a wonderful salt and lime variety. Quickly becoming a favorite among beer connoisseurs at retail stores is the "Dog in the Hunt" Amber Lager, as a high demand has been reported. Production has been so well that the company is trying to expand their production areas in the hope of taking their beers not only throughout all of Texas, but to potentially begin a national campaign.
So the next time you head out to San Antonio, give Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling a try. This company may just become a mark on your Internal Compass.
As we continue our mini-series on Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling in San Antonio, Texas, we look at the rest of the beers offered at the time this is being published, along with an idea for a cocktail using their bourbon. Please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be. In addition, one other brew that may pique your fancy is the Love Struck Hefe, a hefeweizen previously reviewed in the main brew review series.
When tasting a flight of beers, it is best for the taste buds to go from the lightest to the darkest in color. What better place to start at Ranger Creek than with the Laguna Madre Belgian White Ale. Like many Witbiers before it, Laguna Madre brings that light, clean taste to be able to enjoy on a hot day, while this particular brew has that slight bit of sweetness that will first hit the tip of your tongue to give it that extra special experience. Whether you're out having a wonderful time on the Laguna Madre itself, or out trying to catch a Guadalupe Bass on the rivers of Texas, you cannot go wrong with this choice.
Many breweries will take their signature beer and add another dimension to please even more discerning palettes. Enter, the San Antonio Salt and Lime Lager. Beer salts are a Mexican tradition that has been in existence for last century. It's not a typical "salt" you'd put on your food, but rather a flavoring used to accentuate a beer, such as a lime flavor that Ranger Creek incorporates into this particular brew. There is a hint of a salty taste as one would expect from the name, but the flavoring is able to subdue the "hop taste" from the signature San Antonio Lager. Those that don't regularly enjoy beer will find this to be a good "ice breaker", so give this one a try if your friends bring you along to the brewery.
One of the dark beers available from Ranger Creek is the Sunday Morning Coming Down coffee ale. As with typical stouts and porters, this one comes in at a higher ABV level and a dark brown color. Enjoyment of this brew is really going to depend on your enjoyment of coffee, as from the time you receive this off the tap or out of the can, to the time it's finished, the senses will be overloaded with coffee, coffee, and more coffee. Sunday Morning is produced using coffee from a locally sourced roasting company, while a hint of lactose sugar adds a milky texture to this already smooth beer. If you're one that likes to finish your meal with a slightly alcoholic coffee, then Sunday Morning Coming Down may just be the ticket for you.
Ranger Creek is known not only for being a brewery, but also a distillery, thanks to a grandfathered process in their production. Their bourbon and whiskey is aged for at least two years in their Texas bourbon oak barrels before being bottled and made available to the consumer. Along with several varieties including single malt and rye, if you wish to skip the oak barrel maturity process altogether, there is a white bourbon. Try this clear variety with ginger beer, simple syrup, and lime juice; a drink they call the "Texas Mule". The slightly peppery taste of the bourbon works in perfect harmony with the bite of the ginger beer and the fruitiness of the lime. Whiskey and bourbon lovers will want to flock to Ranger Creek to try their award winning spirits.
So whether your Internal Compass takes you to beers or liquors, Ranger Creek is going to have something for you.
In honor of National Beer Day, which is happening as of the time this is published, Freedom Rolling presents a mini-series on Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling in San Antonio, Texas. We'll have more on this company in another post, but for now, let's take a look at a few of their brewed offerings. Please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
First on the list of offerings is Ranger Creek's signature beer: the San Antonio Lager. Lager beers are already very commonplace in America, being the choice in style of many of the nationally advertised selections. The San Antonio goes down very smoothly, with that hint of hops to let you know it isn't that run-of-the-mill beer you'd find at a sports bar. However, one tip we had received from one of their representatives, Taylor, is to try this particular brew in the shower. It seemed a bit odd at first, but evidently it is a thing, and who are we to argue with the experts? Needless to say, after a couple of minutes of steaming, the flavor of the hops really starts to come out, accentuating your taste buds during your daily wash. We don't necessarily recommend doing this if a morning shower is your cup of tea, but it is quite the experience to be had.
Moving down the line of taps, we turn to the Dog in the Hunt Amber Lager. Reds and ambers are typically high on the priority list for us, and Dog in the Hunt was not what we had expected. We are used to ambers being brewed as ales, so we were surprised to find this concoction to be a lager. There is a very pleasant scent when first presented, but the blandness in taste cannot be overlooked, even when compared to other lagers. Dog in the Hunt may be an acquired taste, especially given its overwhelming popularity across southern Texas, but we believe a sampler will want to try something different.
Speaking of "something different", time to head to the east for the Sky Trooper IPA. The India Pale Ale is well known for its strong use of hops in order to preserve the brew on a long voyage. Ranger Creek enjoys looking at history to inspire the names of several of their beers, such as the Sky Trooper, which is named after a famous World War II aircraft. Getting back to the beer itself, if you're one that likes your hops, Sky Trooper is definitely for you, as it has a great flavor of hops. Even if you're not used to that overpowering sensation, a nice mix of malts gives this beer a well rounded taste as you sip, taking your taste buds everywhere you expect a beer to go. IPAs are a bit of an acquired taste for those who are new to beer tasting, but this is definitely one brew that is worth enjoying again and again.
Perhaps there is a feeling starting to "brew" that many beers are a bit light on the potency side. How about giving a try of the Wee Heavy Scotch Ale. Ranger Creek is known for distilling whiskey along with brewing beer, and this slightly darker-colored ale is aged within Texas bourbon barrels used for their brand of whiskey. Wee Heavy can seem a "wee heavy" on the potency, as it comes in at a whopping TWELVE percent alcohol content by volume, or ABV. Once you first take a swig of this one, if you're not ready for the strong taste, it's going to pack a punch. Once you get past that initial sensation, this one's going to go down really smoothly from the malts used in this brew. So if you need something a bit stronger at the end of a rough day, Wee Heavy is going to be for you.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Texas, give a try at a few of the beers that Ranger Creek has to offer.
Freedom Rolling brings you yet another review of craft beers. This time, we take a look at three selections from a single brewery, today being the Karbach Brewing Company in Houston, Texas. As always, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be. That being said, let's head down to the Space City and see what they have.
We start this mini-tour by sampling the "Love Street" blonde ale. Love Street was a famous nightclub that existed in the 1960's on the area believed to be the founding of Houston known as "Allen's Landing". Although this brew may not be strong enough to bring you to the state of mind of the aforementioned era, it will certainly be a great match for your taste buds. The mix of malts coupled with a subtle hint of hops allow the beer to go down easily, and is so carefully brewed that it certainly warrants being Karbach's signature beer. Love Street also comes in a light and other fruited varieties, but one sip of the original blonde will have you wanting to try an entire flight of their offerings.
¿Como esta, amigos? Time to do a little "vamanos" off to try Karbach's Mexican lager appropriately named the "Cerveza Especial". The first impression of this beer will make you wonder what sort of macro-brew you just picked up, and the seemingly heavy carbonation makes this particular brew difficult at first. Don't say "adios" to this one on the outset, though, as it is much easier to go down as time goes by. Good things come to those who wait, and Cerveza Especial is well worth it. Although we typically enjoy these brews on their own, another one may be in order with a nice carne asada burrito, or another Mexican food specialty.
Fans of the Houston Astros may recognize this next particular brew, or at least its name. The baseball park is located along Crawford Street downtown, with the so aptly named Crawford Boxes along left field, leading us to one of the area's favorites: Crawford Bock. Once you get over what seems to be heavy carbonation at the time of pour, this mix of malts and hops is a home run for your taste buds. Karbach suggests pairing with your favorite ballpark snacks, but even if you don't have those and you're looking for a nice backyard brew, Crawford Bock may just be the one for you.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Houston, give Karbach Brewing a try. Maybe even take a tour of their facility, or enjoy their Biergarten.
And now for something completely different... Freedom Rolling reviews craft beers from across the country. First, as a quick disclaimer, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be. That being said, what's out there, and is it any good?
We start our journey by heading to San Antonio, Texas, home of the Alamo, the Spurs, and one of the newer locations having brewed for about 13 years as of the time of this writing, Ranger Creek Brewing. For something a little lighter in color, try out their "Love Struck Hefe", a hefeweizen with its name inspired by a Stevie Ray Vaughan song. This one has a very light color and smooth taste, perfect for a day at the beach or other warmer weather get-together. There is a bit of a dry sensation once you've finished a few sips that will make your mouth feel coated and needing some sort of a relief. That aside, it is an above average hefeweizen on the market, and worth trying if it's available in your area.
We now venture off to Fort Collins, Colorado, home of the Odell Brewing Company. Odell's flagship offering is an amber ale called "90 Shilling", a name stemming from an old Scottish beer tax. This particular brew has that familiar copper color one comes to expect from an amber ale, with a hint of a hop taste that may turn off the novice beer drinker from its bite, yet provides a smooth experience for those who regularly enjoy amber ales. Although it isn't the best beer out there, it will certainly rank as one you'll be happy to have once again.
Our last stop takes us to Conroe, Texas, home of Southern Star Brewing since 2007. If you're looking for a good warm weather beer, look no further than the "Bombshell Blonde" American Blonde Ale. This particular brew is very light in color, although the hops will start to hit on first taste. The hops are on the light to moderate level, but will certainly catch you if you're not ready for it. Once you get past the "bite", this beer goes down very smoothly, and is one certainly to enjoy.
So as your Internal Compass takes you across the country, try some of the local craft beers as able, and see how they fare for you.
Get ready to take your taste buds south of the border.
Scattered throughout south Texas is a regional chain of restaurants called Taco Palenque. Taco Palenque started as one humble restaurant in Laredo, TX in 1987 by Juan Francisco Ochoa. Armed with several authentic Mexican recipes, Ochoa sought to bring his fast food concept to the people of Texas. The several entrées at Taco Palenque are made to order, each coming with an endless side of tortilla chips and salsa. As of the time of writing, over 30 locations are spread throughout south Texas, including one Mexican location should you wish to enjoy this food while south of the border.
Thus far, our visits have brought us to several locations during the lunch, dinner, and late night dining services, as some of the Taco Palenque locations run for 24 hours. The bilingual counter service is quite friendly and easy to understand, while the menu is easy enough to follow. One of their most popular offerings is the Matamoros combo, although the fajitas, quesadillas, and chicken flautas are also great choices. Although you could use their drive-thru option to pick up your meal on the way home, take some time to stop inside for either a dine-in or to-go order, and while you wait, enjoy the endless chips with their avocado-based salsa, a medium-spiced salsa that will make you addicted to this restaurant for many months. If the avocado doesn't speak to you, there are a multitude of other salsa, pico de gallo, and vegetable options available at the chips station.
Taco Palenque has been voted as the Best Fast Food in Texas by Food & Wine Magazine, and this is no fluke. When you have their offerings, you wouldn't think you were in a fast food joint. Be prepared to spend a little more than you would at similar locations, but the quality of what you receive will be well worth the cost. This quality doesn't seem to diminish as you head to different locations whether near or further north from the border, either.
The more time your Internal Compass sends you to south Texas, the more you'll likely be seeking out Taco Palenque.
Do you want to keep driving south along the coast of Texas until you run out of this country? You're about to find a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.
Welcome to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, or "RGV" as it is known locally. The RGV is one of the southernmost points in the Continental United States, second only to Florida. This section borders both the Rio Grande itself, which separates Texas from Mexico, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Metropolitan areas on the United States side include Brownsville and McAllen, connected by the lowest highway number on the Interstate Highway System, Interstate 2. The RGV is accessible by several US highways, one of which is in the process of being upgraded to Interstate 69E, as part of the "NAFTA Superhighway".
While in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, one of the highlights of the trip will be a drive along Texas Highway 4 towards Boca Chica Beach. Along the route, catch a view of the Palmito Hill Battlefield. Fought during the War Between the States, this battle was unique in that it was fought after the southern generals had already surrendered in Virginia, yet their forces were able to claim victory. Head further down the road to see one of the newest and awe-inspiring developments: Starbase, Texas. Starbase is used to develop the SpaceX company's newest rocket at the time of writing, Starship. Although the road is closed during tests and launches, drivers will actually be able to drive right next to the development warehouses, the stacking high bays, the launch tower with test stands, and even see some of the rockets both retired from flight and presently in development.
If the rural life isn't your cup of tea and want something a little more bustling, head east from the highway to South Padre Island. Right along the Gulf of Mexico, this island community has built up to quite the resort destination, with high-rise condominiums and Winter Texans abound. See a dolphin or two as you take the bridge from the mainland, and park at one of the free day-use public accesses to spend time at the beach. On a clear day either on the island or along the Texas Highway 48 connector on the mainland, you may even be able to see the aforementioned Starbase and some of its activity from a safe distance.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you southbound, consider making a stop at the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Trip eleven saw yet another campground visit. About an hour north of Houston just outside the city of Livingston lies Rainbow's End Park, a sponsored private campground where a four-night stay was had.
Grounds: Rainbow's End is a few miles outside the city of Livingston as a rural community. The term "community" is used because, along with the campsites, there are a number of privately owned "deeded lots" interspersed across the grounds that look to be owned by RVers and are part of a homeowner's association of sorts. If you're looking to use a boat, Lake Livingston is about 15-20 minutes away.
Sites: The park has over 175 sites able to be rented by travelers to the area. Online reservations were found to be difficult, and we had to call in the reservation. The majority of the sites are back-in, though there are some that are pull-thru. Nearly all of the sites have full hook-up, varying between 30 or 50 amp maximum electric depending on the site, with a couple of "dry" spots. The pads are sand and fine pebbles, while being reasonably level when dry. Our site was located in the wooded area, though there are some that are more open. The sites in this part of the campground are tightly packed without much room outside.
Staff: Of the staff seen, most were fairly friendly, although the check-in person seemed a bit hurried. Some of the signage they placed around the park bordered between being comical and being over the top. We had no issues that needed to be rectified, so no information on maintenance quality.
Amenities: Rainbow's End is unique for its amenities in that not only are they shared between campers and homeowners, but in that most are geared towards the park's sponsor, whose national headquarters is at this place. The bath houses have squeegees inside the showers with expectations for the women (but not the men) to "squeezee" the walls, however the laundry facilities nearby have some of the cheapest prices ever. The pool was closed during our visit despite warm temperatures, but the dog parks are spacious and well kept.
Atmosphere: The other campers were relatively friendly for the most part. The park is geared towards an older clientele, with amenities and activities planned in accordance. Hardly any families were seen, and no playgrounds exist.
Overall, Rainbow's End Park receives a 7 rating out of a possible 10. The price paid is dependent on membership, and although it is competitive with parks in other parts of the country, it isn't the best value for the young full-time RVer. If you're a member of the sponsoring club, this is a great spot for a couple nights, if only just to take care of administrative business.
On today's adventure through Texas, we take you to... ...a convenience store chain. However this place isn't your run-of-the-mill off-the-highway gas station.
Welcome to Buc-ee's, one of the most beloved brands in Texas. Bu-cee's first started by Arch Aplin in 1982 as a modest convenience store in Lake Jackson, about an hour south of Houston. Since the turn of the century, the company has seen a significant growth increase, both in terms of locations and physical size of the stores. It is not uncommon today to see a Buc-ee's with dozens, or even hundreds, of gas pumps, as they also boast of having the cleanest restrooms, according to a Cintas study. As of the time this was written, the chain holds two world records: Largest convenience store at its New Braunfels location, and Longest car wash at its Katy location. Locations today are found not only in Texas, but other places in the south and midwest.
As you walk into Buc-ee's with its beaver logo, you see a massive amount of retail space with rows upon rows of product. Alongside the traditional offerings you'd see on the shelves of a convenience store, be on the lookout for the wall of jerky. Dozens of flavors adorn both the wall and the display islands around the store, ensuring everyone has something they enjoy. As you head towards the coffee and prepared foods stations, you may hear the staffers yelling, "Brisket on the board!" The center station has several workers preparing fresh barbecue brisket sandwiches for you to enjoy. Be sure to grab a bag of "Beaver Chips" on the side. In fact, you'll see several "Beaver" products in the store, as a tribute to the founder's childhood nickname, "Beaver".
As with any pit stop, a restroom break may be needed. As you walk towards these facilities, check out the legitimate artwork on the wall from local artists. As everything seems to be bigger at Buc-ee's, the restroom is large with individualized stalls. Once out, you'll find that Buc-ee's is much more than a convenience store, as they have all sorts of different odds and ends, from camping and grilling supplies, to branded home decor merchandise. Who knows? Maybe you'll be able to upgrade your small camp stove to a portable wood smoker.
So the next time you're driving around Texas, Follow your Internal Compass right on over to Buc-ee's.
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