Why do I claim that the beer drought in Midland is nearly over? The local HEB supermarket on Wadley has just overwhelmed me with their stock of craft beers. I have visited a couple of the package beverage stores in town and the pickin’s were slim! HEB not only offers variety but they also offer the ability to pick and chose single bottles!!!! They even supply the wine carriers – six-pack style to haul your treasures home. I ran across this mix and match concept this summer in of all places – Biloxi Mississippi! Shown below is a rack, four shelves of very nice choices.
So many choices!!!!
I was in Midland for three nights staying at a Residence Inn with my own little kitchen and refrigerator in the room. I picked up a small selection as shown in the photo below. Two out of three will stay on my play list…. the Alaskan White would be of interest to my wife…it is Blue Moonish/Shock Toppish in flavor.
My selection for the three nights in Midland. The glass held the Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA.
I also found an establishment that is also putting a dent into the Midland beer drought. Double Dave’s Pizza has a cooler full of a nice variety of craft beers….Two thumbs up to the guys at Double Dave’s…. I had a Deschutes Porter – the Black Butte Porter to be precise. It has a nice velvety feel in the mouth with a nice roastiness and with a hint of chocolate. I my brain this phrase resonates – “I’ll be back” – with an Austrian accent.
Back to HEB – a good selection of the 22 ounce bottles and a selection of Belgium offerings.
Belgian style too boot!
Now, if only they can get some consistent rain the area will be well on its way to recovery!
TTFN
Oh, and Drink Local!
Bishop
Bishop's Beer Blog 
Are there any beer festivals in Odessa-Midland?
Curt – this all I know of and not sure if they are planning a 2014 event. Lubbock is about 100 miles north of the Midland-Odessa area.
https://www.facebook.com/TexasBluesAndBrews
I am considering producing an event in Odessa-Midland in late 2014 or early 2015. What is the interest level for craft beers there?
I will give you my opinion. The oil boom in the area has brought people in from all over the country. The local HEB Supermarket carries a great variety of craft beers and many of the local watering holes are going for craft beers. Texas Tech University and Lubbock are less than two hours north an have a handful of little breweries and pubs so that crowd would also be a draw. New Mexico is nearby and could also prove to have craft beer savvy people.
On the downside are the hotel prices….they are just insane. That said there are several good venues. Ector County Coliseum is the biggest, the Midland Center downtown is pretty nice and the newest is the Horseshoe….I think that is what it is called at the edge of Midland near Interstate 20. The Hilton Downtown has a pretty good size conference set-up and out off Business 20 is an older hotel that I used for a conference about 15 years ago. It was the Holiday Inn then but called something else now. Also in Odessa is the MGM Grand Hotel and they have decent conference capabilities.
Hope that helps