Texas Tequila Throwdown

Texas Tequila Throwdown


On January 23rd, 10 Tequila companies from all over Texas congregated to Houston for a large public tasting and competition. Though it was mainly for bragging rights, each company wanted to take the title for the best Tequila in Texas. 30 people were randomly drawn to judge the Blanco and Reposado Tequila’s. I can imagine it was hard to try 10 samples of Tequila and make a clear judgment but they all took their time made their vote based on their preference of flavor. The results found Dulce Vida from Austin had the best Blanco and Pepe Z also from Austin had the best Reposado. I found while organizing this event every company felt very sure of their product and everyone expected to win in each category. For this reason alone I decided to surprise both the attendees and the Tequila companies by grabbing the representative from each company and put their taste buds to the test. To make it fair I event included a few Tequila lovers to the panel. By the looks of the representatives they seemed pretty sure that they were going to pick their own brand but I know this wasn’t going to be as easy as they thought. As the samples came out one by one the representatives took their time and made their vote. With 12 judges, four of them pick sample number 1 and made Riazul from Houston the best Anejo in Texas. The room seemed to light up with excitement as Riazul took the best in their own hometown. While Houston won the best Anejo, Austin seemed to dominate the competition. Every company did a great job representing Texas. This was a big win for everyone due to the amount of press the event received. People drove in from all over Texas and I even had the pleasure of meeting a couple from California and a gentleman from New York. The winner over all was Texas. With over 300 attendees, the Texas Tequila Throwdown was without a doubt a huge success. Attendees brought out tons of coats and blankets to donate to the Star of Hope Mission and had the boxes overflowing within the first hour. Houston has to be one of the most giving cities and without a doubt none of this would have been possible without the help of JR Cohen and the Coffee Groundz staff, Spec’s and Russell Guess of Your Bartender. I thank everyone for coming out and all of the support. Thanks again to everyone involved and I look forward to working with you all again in the future. Look out for the Texas Tequila Throwdown 2011 in Austin, TX?


Blanco Judging Samples

1. Dulce Vida
2. Pepe Z
3. Republic
4. Solorzano
5. Don Valente
6. El Gran Jubileo
7. Riazul
8. Acumbaro
9. Dos Lunas
10. El Grado

Reposado Judging Samples

1. El Gran Jubileo
2. Pepe Z
3. Dulce Vida
4. Don Valente
5. Solorzano
6. Riazul
7. Republic
8. Acumbaro
9. El Grado
10. Dos Lunas

Anejo Judging Samples

1. Riazul
2. Republic
3. El Grado
4. Solorzano
5. Dulce Vida
6. El Gran Jubileo
7. Don Valente
8. Dos Lunas
9. Pepe Z
10. Acumbaro


Photos courtesy of Pauline Alderete
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miamorangel

*If you have photos we would love to see them. Please leave a link in the comments section.*

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Saint Arnold Brewing Company
2000 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
713.686.9494
http://www.saintarnold.com/

This week we stopped into the new home for Saint Arnold Brewing Company just outside of Downtown. We learn a little bit about the new brewery, the beers and the One Pot Show Down. Be sure to check out the brewery everyday at 3pm and on Saturdays between 11am-3pm. Tour cost $7 but comes with 4 drink tokens and a sweet keepsake Saint Arnold glass. Well worth it in our book. Word of warning, on Saturdays get here early. The seating fills up quick so bring your own chair if you feel the need to sit down. Also feel free to bring your own smorgasbord of food to go along with that great local beer. Cheers!

Texas Tequila Throwdown

Be sure to come out to Coffee Groundz on January 23rd and be apart of the biggest Tequila tasting in Texas. We will have 7 great Texas companies all competing to be the best in Texas. The public will decide who has what it takes. There is no cover for this event but we ask that you bring a new or used blanket or jacket that we can donate to the Star of Hope. Music will be provided by DJ Ash with Music Heals. It goes down from 3pm - 6 pm so get here early its gonna be packed!

Texas Tequila Throwdown Press Release

NEWS RELEASE FOLLOWS:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2010





TEXAS TEQUILA THROWDOWN

Hosted by Mike Cortez of Bite Me *Houston*

Houston, TX January 23, 2010 -- Saturday, January 23, Mike Cortez of Bite Me Houston will host a large gathering of Texas Tequila companies for a large public tasting. The event will take place at Coffee Groundz (2503 Bagby StreetHouston, TX 77006) at 3pm.

Riazul (Houston), Republic Tequila (Austin), Dos Luna’s Tequila (El Paso), Pepe Z Tequila (Austin), Tequila Don Valente (Dallas), Dulce Vida (Austin), Tequila El Gran Jubileo (La Grange), Acumbaro Tequila (Houston), Tequila Solorzano (Houston) and El Grado Tequila (Corpus Christi) are the Texas companies competing in the event in hopes of being named the best Tequila in Texas. Each company will feature their Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas, and a winner will be selected from each category. This is a blind tasting and the public is the judge. Each company in attendance will speak at the event about their company and the tequila.

The Texas Tequila Throw Down is a free event and is open to the public, ages 21 and up.
The coordinators ask that attendees donate a new or gently used blanket or jacket to participate in the tasting. The Texas Tequila Throw Down is a great way to support Texas business while helping those in need.

For more information please contact:
Mike Cortez
832-452-2804
BiteMeHouston@gmail.com
www.BiteMeHouston.blogspot.com

Bite Me *Houston* is a local blog written by Mike Cortez featuring Houston businesses for their food and drinks. Started in the summer of 2009 the blog has really taken off and with the help of social networking Mike has made quite the name for himself. Striving to set himself apart from the other foodies in Houston, Mike is always looking to support local companies and giving back to the city. The Texas Tequila Throw Down is a great way to gather the public while helping out the less fortunate.


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No Label Brewing Co.

No Label Brewing Co.
Katy, TX
http://site.nolabelbrew.com/



This article is a little different than usual. Usually I go to a place and try their food or beverage and rush home to write about it. In this particular case there was nothing to try, nothing to see and nothing to particularly write about. I am so excited for new businesses to pop up in Houston and I love to watch them grow. I was lucky enough to find a new brewery starting up in Katy that is still in the very beginning stages. I was lucky enough to meet with Brian Royo, head brew master and founder of No Label Brewing Co. Now when I say that things are just getting started I mean they have yet to finish setting up their brewery. Brian is still brewing beer in his garage and this is where it has taken him from home brewing to starting up Houston’s newest microbrewery.
Brian Royo, a Katy Taylor graduate and University of Houston alumni, became inspired to brew after visiting the local Saint Arnold’s Brewery. He headed over to Delfaco’s and purchased his first home brewing kit and he got to work. While making beer for friends and family he figured why not try and make a business out of it; Three year later and that is exactly what Brain has done.
-The Beer –
No Label Brewing Co. is hoping to have the brewery setup and brewing by mid April and if all goes well we can expect to see the beer on shelves by the end of 2010. No Label Brewing Co. is working on bringing you some very authentic and original styled brews from their Ridgeback, a hybrid of Brown and Amber ale, their El Hefe, a hefeweizen and their Silo Ale is a blond ale. Brain seems very passionate about his beer and he is quick to mention Southern Star & St. Arnold as inspirations for small breweries that have grown and spread into the market. I believe what separates No Label Brewing apart from others is that they are a laid back small brewery and they are working hard to get their name out there before the product even hits the shelves. No Label Brewing Co. Has been making a name for themselves tailgating at the University of Houston football games and keeping up with their fans on Twitter and Facebook and I believe it will help them greatly to establish themselves as Houston’s newest brewery. I anxiously await to sample the beer and look forward to their success in Houston.

Be sure to follow them on Twitter @NoLabelBrewCo to find out about their events.

Rudy's "Country Store" & Bar-B-Q

Rudy’s "Country Store" & Bar-B-Q

14620 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX

(713) 462-7954

http://www.rudys.com/

A few years ago I had constantly heard stories of people jumping in their cars and driving towards Austin to get some great barbeque. What took me by surprise was that they were heading to a little gas station by the name of Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q. I never quite understood people taking a drive that far just to get a bite. Could the food there be that great? I was on a mission to find out but luckily they had just opened a new location right by my house. I know what you are all thinking, “You don’t review chains”. Well this is true but I felt that for Rudy’s I would have to make an exception. I had to find out what made this barbeque so good. Were people just overhyping it or is it really that good?
I felt a beautiful Saturday afternoon would be a great day to pick up some barbeque so I headed down the street to Rudy’s and prepared myself for what I was told is the best barbeque in Texas. Here they do everything by the pound so forget about getting that three meat combo with two sides. From the meat to the sides, Rudy’s is slicing it up and weighting on a scale. Your only other options are sandwiches. I had a few people to feed so I decided to try a few pounds of pork ribs, lean brisket, sausage, pulled pork and some potato salad on the side. Within seconds the cashier calls out the order and the guys in back get to slicing and dicing. They pack up your order like a butcher and you’re ready to go. I have heard some complain about Rudy’s being a little on the high side and while I can see their point, the look and smell of the food I felt it might be worth it. As I headed home the aroma of the smoked meat filled the car. I couldn’t wait to get home and chow down. As I walked in the door I rushed to the table to tear open this food as if it was Christmas morning. I couldn’t get too carried away so I took just a little of everything. I love ribs when they are smoked just right and the meat falls off the bone, so I chose to start with Rudy’s pork ribs. As I picked up the rib the meat all slid of the bone. I don’t know about you but for me that’s a great sign of perfect barbecued ribs. A heavy but even smoky taste fills the month as you take a bite. The meat was so tender and juicy. I didn’t even put sauce on them. With the ribs alone I felt I was in barbeque heaven. I personally like to judge places on their ribs and their brisket so I knew what I was planning on trying next. The brisket had a very beautiful smoke ring in the meat. It carried a very heavy smoked flavor but it was not over the top. This was some very tender brisket with a peppery seasoning. I was head over hills and I haven’t even made a dent in the food. I didn’t even know where to start with the sausage. The skin was soft and it was packed with flavor. The pull pork which is one of my favorite barbequed items was a masterpiece. It was very succulent and moist. I threw a nice slab between a slice of bread and poured on Rudy’s signature barbeque sauce. The sauce had a nice little kick to it that made everything pop not that the food even needed sauce but it did help bring more flair to this already perfect meal. How could I forget the potato salad? This creamy and chunky mustard potato salad was delicious! The mustard wasn’t too overbearing and all together made a very mellow blend of potato salad bliss. I have to admit I was truly taken aback by the quality of the food. I usually wouldn’t expect to find such great barbeque at a place that doubles as a gas and convenient store. So if your driving across Texas or just looking for a local bite stop on by Rudy’s Country Store and Barbeque and tell them Bite Me *Houston* sent ya!

Ruby Tequila's

Ruby Tequila's

7748 FM 1960 West

Houston, TX 77070

281-894-7829

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2616 Louisiana

Houston, TX 77006

713-522-7829

http://www.rubytequilas.com/

About a month ago I started to hear a lot of buzz about a new restaurant opening up in town and luckily one of the two locations were opening up near me. After a long day of running errands I decided to take my mom out for dinner. What a better place to take your mother than the new place in town so we headed to Ruby Tequilas. I was really excited to try this place mainly because I had yet to hear anyone else talk about it. When you walk in, there is a clearly visible sign that states “No Microwaves In Use” with a nice radioactive symbol. I guess they really want to push this point that everything here is made fresh. The décor of the place is nice. It’s very colorful and there are painted quotes all around the room. I will admit I really like the bar setup. They have a nice little patio and you can access the bar from either inside or outside. The doors happened to be open when we arrived which was nice but unfortunately this brought flies. The waitress brought out some chips and salsa while we looked over the menu and assured us that everything at Ruby Tequilas is made fresh. Nothing is premade and there are no microwaves in the building. I can say it felt good to know that. There really isn’t anything worse than not so fresh Mexican food. Another added bonus was their .99 cent draft beers and $1.99 margaritas. I was kind of expecting a long wait for the food since they made sure everything was made fresh. After about fifteen minutes of fly swatting, the sizzling platter of beef and chicken fajitas with shrimp, ribs and mushrooms was being brought to the table. I was pretty impressed by the time it took to bring the food out. The aroma was great, you could smell the parade of flavors that you were about to indulge. A side plate of rice and beans, and another with taco fixings made this meal complete. I couldn’t wait for it to cool down. I started to prepare the tortilla for stuffing while burning my hand on the skillet. The beef fajita was very tender and was cooked to a perfect medium well. The chicken was tender and juicy but there were a couple of strips that were not fully cooked. I couldn’t find anything bad about the shrimp, very tender and not over cooked. They were seasoned in what I could only consider tequila and lime. The ribs were literally falling off the bone. Its hard to describe the seasonings on the ribs because of the light barbeque sauce. It made me think of a mild ancho or chipotle blend of spices. While the beef and chicken fajitas were good they just didn’t seem to blow me away. Unfortunately, this place seemed like a very Americanized Tex-Mex restaurant. While it was good it just didn’t seem too authentic. While I’ll admit everything was fresh I just felt the food really lacked the cojones to be real Tex-Mex. The food was good and I would make a return visit but if I was planning to show friends Tex-Mex food this wouldn’t be my first choice. Granted this place has only been open for two weeks I think after a couple of months they will get into a pattern and maybe the food will have a little more presence. I also believe that if they are going to keep the bay windows of the bar open to the outside that they should invest in some type of fly traps. I could tell you how aggravating it was to enjoy your food while your fighting off four flies. In the end Ruby could use a little work but her tequila is great!