The Oak Forest Homeowners Association is changing things up a bit and gearing up for a party in the neighborhood. This year the homeowners association will be hosting their first annual craft beer festival from 6-9 p.m. on April 11 at Wakefield Crowbar, 954 Wakefield Dr.

The neighborhood is so close to many established and upcoming breweries. One beer loving neighbor who got involved is Lance Weiershausen, Owner of Farmboy Brewshop, who said we are lucky to have these breweries supporting the first annual OFHA craft beer festival.

This year the festival will have Karbach, Buffalo Bayou, St. Arnold’s, and a couple more yet to be confirmed. Looking down the road to next year, Weiershausen said that it is still unwritten, as the area will soon have brews produced by Town in City, Brash, and Allen’s Landing. One thing that is certain is Weiershausen’s passion for beer.

“I got involved with the festival because, well, beer is what I do,” Weiershausen said. “At Farmboy Brew Shop we may focus on the homebrewer and wine maker, but those same people are also big supporters of the craft beer industry, myself included. We often have classes hosted by local brewers and celebrity brewer judges at our contests and when I called these breweries to see about their interest in participating in the craft beer festival, it was a no brainer for them; they love supporting the community that already has a huge support of them.”

The funds raised from this year’s festival will benefit the neighborhood security service S.E.A.L OFHA President Phil Simmons said the board saw the festival as an opportunity to bring together neighbors and raise a little funds as well.

“This OFHA board hopes residents and friends who attend this year’s Craft Beer Festival will enjoy the beer, meet other residents, have fun and realize a financial benefit for our S.E.A.L security service,” Simmons said.

Tickets are not being sold for this event.  Donations, however, are being accepted. Residents who want to support their community and enjoy the fun filled Craft Beer Festival are welcome to donate. Generosity is something Simmons said the neighborhood has never been short of and hopes friends and neighbors will come share some of that generosity and enjoy a beer at the same time.

The Freetail bats are coming to Houston

There’s a new brew in town and it isn’t another Houston brew that is making waves. Hailing from San Antonio, Texas – Thirsty Explorer’s home town – Freetail Brewing Company is making their mark and a few of the neighborhood watering holes are welcoming the San Antonio brewery with open arms. So welcoming, that Petrol Station and owner Ben Fullelove has invited Freetail Brewing and owner Scott Metzger to Petrol Station at noon on April 4, for all of you to meet and greet.

At Freetail you can find a twist on classic styles as well as downright weird concoctions that make Freetail their own. The brewery has a great food menu, specifically pizza, and the brewery also offers live music. It goes without saying that this is a Thirsty Explorer favorite and you should catch the Freetail crew at Petrol Station this weekend.

Pucker up at Cottonwood for Sour Hour Mondays

If you are a sour beer fan, then you’ll love the special that Cottonwood has on Monday nights. From 4-7 p.m. on every Monday night, Cottonwood has a different sour beer for just one dollar. No typo or mistake there. Cottonwood is bringing the sours for one dollar every week, with the tap rotating as well. This past week, the featured sour beer was Petrus Oud Bruin from Brouqerji De Brabandere – a Belgium brewery.