You’d think the would be the perfect place to walk around with a cold beer in your hand. There’s sports, music and lots of things — and people — to look at. Yet my hopes weren’t particularly high when I set out after work on Tuesday for opening night.
I took my seat on the MetroRail train at 6:15 and, after the next stop, a young couple eager to see the Alan Jackson concert took the seats opposite. “Bud Light,” the man said when I asked what he planned to drink once he got there.
I can’t imagine he was disappointed; there were Buds, Millers and Coors in abundance. For anyone seeking a more interesting brew, however, it would be a mostly parched night. Yet while I never did find a decent beer at a reasonable price, I can recommend one good spot for folks who like to imbibe.
You just have to like wine.
The first thing you encounter as you enter the Reliant complex from the train stop is a long row of food stands offering everything from fried pickles and catfish to barbecue of many origins to the carnival-staple turkey legs and funnel cakes.
And then you come to Joe’s Ale House, which looks promising. Domestic drafts are advertised for $8.25 and premium brew for just 50 cents more. In addition to the BMC selections, there was Guinness, Bass, Blue Moon and Shiner. There was also Dos Equis and one selection whose name I can’t decipher from my notes.
I wasn’t tempted, so I pressed on.
As I entered the livestock show area in Reliant Center, one of the first things I noted was a sign for the Champion Wine Garden at “Carruth Plaza” between the Astrodome and Reliant Stadium. It promised a chance to sample some of the 2010 winners from the rodeo’s International Wine Competition. I made a note for later.
I found lots to look at in the meantime. There were cattle, cowboy hats and an abundance of leather goods. I thought maybe I’d find a cowboy-style case for my iPhone, but I struck out. I experienced all of this empty-handed, still. The closest I got to good beer was this selection of beer- and hot sauce-bottle night lights.
My favorite was this one, an Arrogant Bastard.
Maybe I’d have better luck inside Reliant Stadium. As a recovering Texans season-ticket holder, however, I kept my expectations in check.
Then I remembered the wine garden, where I wound up having the best time.
Here’s how it works: From a menu of selections from the rodeo’s wine competition, you can purchase 2-ounce tastings, 5-ounce glasses or full bottles at varying prices. The tastings start at $3 (actually, 3 tickets, as you have to buy tickets for $1 apiece).
I decided I’d go for two of the cheapest samples and then splurge on two pricier tastes. I bought $16 worth of tickets and approached the bar. After dumping half of my first sample, a $3 malbec, I sought advice and was directed to a much-improved $4 cab and then a truly excellent $3 taste of d’Arenberg d’Arry‘s shiraz-grenache from the Australian winery that was voted “Top All-Around” in the competition.
I spent my last six tickets on a taste of the “Grand Champion Best of Show,” a 2005 cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley’s Davis Family Vineyards. Terrific.
Best of all, I enjoyed some pleasant company from the volunteers at the bar, including Sarah Gauss and Creig Graham and two others whose names I’m sorry to say I failed to write down. They’re members of the rodeo’s wine-competition committee, and talking to them got me to wishing there was a beer-competition committee to join.
Drink-wise, that wound up being it for me that night. I made it inside Reliant Stadium in time for the Jackson concert, only to find the first-level concourse dominated by mass-market brews. The bright spots were the Kirby Ice House near section 107 and, across the stadium, the Fannin Ice House at section 128. Available there are Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Shiner Bock, Fat Tire, Heineken and Dos Equis.
Be prepared to pay, however, as the “premium” brews sell for $10.50 for a 24-ounce bottle.
That doesn’t sit well with Dennis Sukholutsky, who e-mailed this morning to complain about the prices.
“Do you know if there are any actions we can take to protect ourselves from this price gouging, specifically for beer?” he asked.
Well, Dennis, I’d advise you to check out the wine garden.
