A Scotsman told me about this first, The Hay Merchant.. is..

... is doing it.

First time I've seen it in the States, I'm sure it is else where, but it's the first time I've heard it as a consideration here. What is it, you are wondering? Well, that frosty, chilled glasses detract from the flavor of beer. At Hay Merchant, they put glasses over a water fountain type spout and chill the glass to about 50 degrees F, so the glass is cool, but not cold. I guess that is to appease us Americans who like a chillier spin on our beers without taking away from the goodness of the taste.

I dropped in The Hay Merchant the other day, just to take a look. I had a pint, St. Arnold's Pale Ale. They serve several local beers, all marked in bold on the menu. I didn't count up all the beers they serve, which can change daily, but there is a very nice selection. The taps I found fun, so many different applications welded onto them.

I hear the bar food is good. I will have to go back to give it a try.

Quote of the day: Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. Kinky Friedman

The Hay Merchant is attached to Underbelly and a sister to Anvil.

• The Hay Merchant – 1100 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77006, 713.528.9805
• Monday to Friday 3pm – 2am, Saturday to Sunday 11am – 2am
• www.haymerchant.com