By: Timothy Malcolm
One is coming to the Heights, and another is on its way in Near Northside.
IT’S LIKE THE GOLD RUSH : Breweries are opening at a steady rate in Houston, and the growth continues. Welcome Local Group Brewing and Russo’s New York Italia Pizza Kitchen & Brewery.
Local Group was formed by beer enthusiasts Todd Donewar and Michael Steeves, along with head brewer James “Huggy Bear” Wolfe, who previously led brewing operations at No Label Brewing in Katy. The trio will brew a variety of beers in a 2,700-square-foot brewhouse with eight 10-barrel serving tanks.
“Our goal is to focus on the whole experience within our building,” says Steeves,“and that includes the beer we brew in small batches, high-quality food, amenities for kids and pets and a relaxing, casual atmosphere that spreads across a patio with killer views and an air-conditioned taproom.:
They’ll have 20 taps inside its taproom, which will include a patio, at its modern-industrial space that once housed Acme Pattern Works. Doors are set to open in late 2019.
Meanwhile, Russo’s New York Pizzeria is branching into brewing beer, starting with a facility at 3415 Katy Freeway in the Heights. Russo’s New York Italia Pizza Kitchen & Brewery, which will be a first location and will open this year, will include a beer operation of up to 5,000 square feet. No word yet on the kind of beer Russo’s will specialize in producing.
Russo’s, which operates more than 50 pizza restaurants across the country and internationally, plans to open more than 20 locations of Italia Pizza Kitchen & Brewery.