Beer makes life better. This goes without saying, and I have yet to find any event, occasion, or situation that wasn’t enhanced with a cool glass of fine brew. Beer is especially valuable when entertainment is involved and this is precisely the inspiration behind the rise of movie theaters that sell food and beverages as part of the experience. And one of the first to get involved in this concept is Alamo Drafthouse, an Austin, Texas based movie theater chain with a penchant for great beer.
The Theaters
Alamo Drafthouse is a full service movie theater operation with first- run movies, classic movie runs, and special events. The location frequented most often by Great Beer Now is the one at 531 South Mason Road in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas. There aren’t a large number of screens here, like you find at other cinema complexes, but that can be a good thing because fewer screens means smaller crowds and an easier time finding a place to park. Yes, it also means your movie of choice may not be showing, but I’m willing to give up variety of film options for the other advantages that Alamo Drafthouse offers.
Seats at Alamo Drafthouse are sold and selected before you enter the theater. Try to get there early and you will have a wider selection of seats from which to choose. The seats are assigned, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place to sit. You select what you like and then walk to your assigned seat. I like this policy, and I also like the walking space between the tables and the row in front of you. This added space means others can get up and leave the theater without anyone needing to stand up.
Kill Those Hunger Pangs
Cinematic entertainment is an import reason to visit Alamo Drafthouse, but it’s far from the only reason. Alamo Drafthouse is also known for its food, and I don’t mean the usual theater food like popcorn and candy. No, they serve actual meals here like burgers, fish and chips, pizza, Philly cheesesteak, chicken sandwiches, and more. Many theater- goers start off with an appetizer like a pretzel or chicken wings before ordering a burger platter or other meal. Alamo Drafthouse personnel bring the food directly to you, while the film is rolling, and place the food on the narrow, elevated table in front of your seat.
Food at Alamo Drafthouse is a little on the pricey side, but one must remember that this is a movie theater and I don’t think I have ever visited a movie theater with inexpensive food, snacks, and drinks. It’s par for the course, but it’s also not much more than you would pay for comparable quality food at a nearby restaurant and you get to watch a movie while you dine. It’s a like a one- stop shop for all of your entertainment needs.
Bring on the Brew
Now, let’s talk about the best part of a visit to Alamo Drafthouse: The beer. There are other cinemas in the Houston area that serve food and drink, but none of them can match the beer selection at Alamo Drafthouse. The tap wall at the Mason Park location is about 30 handles strong and it’s accompanied by a wide assortment of cans and bottles of local craft beer and other beer from across the USA and the world. Most taverns don’t offer selections this large, let alone a movie theater. From my biased standpoint, the beer selection is key and reason alone to pay a visit to this cinema. There are plenty of great beer options and often some hard to find selections not available in many other retail outlets.
If you’re not the beer loving type, Alamo Drafthouse has a wide selection of soft drinks, wine, and cocktails. They serve some of their own specialty drinks including some killer adult milkshakes. If you’re not here for a beer, I recommend one of the milkshakes for a true sense of cinematic indulgence.
Full Day of Entertainment
I like watching a good movie and it still ranks as a tried but true option for a date night or for family outing. Cinematic entertainment is almost universally enjoyed, and with a full meal and great beer or other beverages, the entertainment experience is full and complete. This is exactly what you get at Alamo Drafthouse on Mason Road in Katy. There won’t be a stomach growling or a thirst in need of quenching when you leave Alamo Drafthouse, possibly the nation’s best beer- centered cinema chain.
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