Renovated Southern Star Brewing Company opens Saturday with new taproom, covered patio

After an eight-month renovation and delays from Hurricane Beryl, Southern Star Brewing Company will reopen Saturday under new ownership. 

The 16-year-old brewing company never stopped production of its beer, but its popular taproom has been closed since February for renovations. At noon Saturday, a new first-floor taproom and connected covered patio opens along with the brewery’s original taproom on the second floor. 

“It’s been a long time coming and people are getting excited about it,” said Maggie Patterson, assistant general manager for Southern Star. “Drinking a beer out of a can is fine, but on tap, it’s a different experience and doing it in the place that makes it and being able to tour where it’s made is a pretty cool experience.” 

HURRICANE BERYL CLEANUP: Shenandoah councilman wants to use public money for Beryl cleanup on private property

The history of Southern Star

Founded in 2008 in Conroe by brewmaster Dave Fougeron, the company was the first brewery in Texas to can craft beer. The first facility was on FM 3083 in Conroe. 

A custom-built facility opened in 2016 on 13 acres in north Conroe. In addition to the brewing and manufacturing of craft beer, the venue also featured outdoor and indoor gathering spaces. A variety of community events took place there as well. 

Earlier this year, the brewing company was bought by Walter and Susan Galdenzi who have a background in the hospitality industry. They come from outside Montgomery County but were previously patrons of Southern Star.

“They fell in love with it and wanted to do big things,” Patterson said. 

The original taproom closed in February and the building has been under renovation since. The brewery employs around 25 people. 

What’s new at the brewery

From the parking lot, visitors will first see a new covered patio and outdoor seating area attached to the front of the building. 

Inside the front door to the right is a new indoor taproom with a stage and a bar with 16 craft beers on tap. To the left of the front door is a separate room where Southern Star merchandise will be sold. 

The first-floor taproom and patio can accommodate up to 200 people. 

The original taproom on the second floor is still in play with 12 craft beers on tap. The space still has a similar look but is a tad shorter in length because some offices were added. Approximately 100 people can fit upstairs. 

Patterson sees the upstairs space as overflow seating for busy weekends and a potential spot for parties and private events. 

The renovations also added a kitchen to the first-floor taproom and chef Misael Mejia was brought on board. The kitchen will be open in a few weeks and serve items that pair well with beer but with a homemade, from-scratch twist from chef Mejia’s background of Italian cooking. 

Mejia has worked for fine dining restaurants and as a personal chef, and he was most recently cooking in South Carolina. 

The new brewmaster is Henryk Orlik, who trained in the brewing process in Germany. 

CONROE’S TIGER MOVING: Conroe High two-ton bronze tiger will be relocated from Texas 105 to school’s new entrance on Wilson Road

What kind of beer does Southern Star brew?  

As for beer, favorites like Bombshell Blonde, Strawberry Blonde and Southern Brunch remain and new beers will continue to be added. 

Bombshell Hefeweizen was released earlier in the summer as was Bombshell Smash IPA. Patterson said for the first time, the brewery will feature a light lager. Buried Hatchet Stout was released earlier this year. 

Southern Star’s newest beer, released in early August, is Conspiracy Theory.  It’s a West Coast style IPA brewed with generous amounts of Simcoe and Amarillo hops. 

The annual Oktoberfest is also available now. The German style festbier is amber-hued with a full malt aroma and a thick, creamy, foamy froth.

What to know about Southern Star’s grand opening

Southern Star’s grand opening party is from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at 3525 N. Frazier Street in Conroe. 

Admission is free and the first 15 guests get special Southern Star swag. The day will feature outdoor games, inflatables, shopping vendors, kids’ activities including a petting zoo, brewery tours, craft-brewed sodas and 12 craft beers on tap. There will be live music during the day and the group Dueling Pianos in the evening. 

If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site