Bottom Line: Padre Island Brewing Company produces some excellent brews and top-notch food and it counts as a must-visit while on the island.
While traveling, I am looking for places with interesting spicy options (such as this), and I am also looking for some good local brews. And with craft brewing having really taken off in this country, there are plenty of good beers to sample on a regular basis. I took a trip down to South Padre Island this past week, and while there I planned a stop at one of my favorite local joints: Padre Island Brewing Company.
This brewery has been on the island since 1995, and I make it a point to stop in at least once each time I visit South Padre. Never has it disappointed. They have a nice selection of beers that they brew there on the island and an extensive menu that includes burgers, seafood, tacos, pizza, and more. Among their beers, they have year-round favorites along with several seasonals. On my recent visit, I went with two of their regular selections which also happen to be two of my favorites.
The Padre Pale Ale is an American IPA brewed with Pacific Northwest Cascade, Citra, and Australian summer hops. It has a nice bitterness as well as hoppiness, but it is not as aggressive as some IPAs. This is a more refreshing brew with a hint of citrus, and those who do not typically like this type of beer may actually find they enjoy it. Consider it a beach IPA and a good step into the more complex variations of that type of brew.
Next up was the Tidal Wave Wheat which is brewed with 70% wheat malt. This is a good wheat beer with similarities to a Hefeweizen and it has some hints of citrus. It also has a nice richness to it, but not to the point that it feels heavy. For me, this is the perfect beer to be sipping while sitting out on the deck and looking at the ocean.
And of course, with good beer you’re going to need some good food and Padre Island Brewing has you covered there. I was eyeing the Texas Burger with comes with sauteed jalapenos and mushrooms, but that’s a double patty and a whole pound of beef. Since I wasn’t wearing my stretchy pants, I went with the Padre Burger which is a half-pound patty topped with guacamole, pepper jack cheese, and Pico de Gallo. The burger was cooked perfectly with a nice char and just the right amount of seasoning. The pepper jack and the Pico did not add much heat, but everything still came together rather nicely. And those herb roasted potatoes make the perfect side.
This brewery also tosses a pretty darn good pizza pie, and my friend and I ordered up a small pepperoni as an appetizer. That has a nice crust that is neither too thin nor too thick, and it delivers a good, yeasty flavor. The sauce is rich with a touch of sweetness and they are generous with the cheese and toppings. A large pie should be sufficient to feed three or four people, and the all-meat pizza (which includes shrimp and fajita meat) is a site to see.
If you happen to be on the island and you are craving an ice-cold beer and/or some good food, definitely get this place on your list. The brews are top-notch as is the food, and the menu is expansive enough to have something for just about anyone. They open at 11:30 everyday and the restaurant is right on the strip with plenty of parking. So be sure to stop by next time you are in town.
Padre Island Brewing
3400 Padre Boulevard
South Padre Island, Texas, 78597
Website: pibrewingcompany.com