The Ginger Man

Bagman007

Texas

4.14/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Went here in the afternoon on a Sunday when I was in Houston. Nice, cozy atmosphere near the campus of Rice University. They have a beer garden in the back and a patio in the front. Decent amount of people here for a Saturday afternoon, but it was not too packed. We parked in a nearby parking garage without exactly knowing where this place was, but when we walked out of the garage we spotted it easily. They have a pretty good selection of taps and bottles. The service is good and our bartender was very friendly. I have not tried the food, but it is a little above average price wise. The beer is also a little pricey too, but I guess it's basically what you would expect from a place like this. Great place to chill out and enjoy a brew.

12-02-2008 00:59:52 | More by Bagman007

stumac

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2.5 | $$$

Definately my favorite place in Houston to go for a chill environment with a great beer selection. I'm pretty sure they only serve snacks but no biggy. They have maybe 50 beers on draft and even more in bottle. Always the latest good beer in the market on draft, too. They always have the Saint Arnold Elissa on cask. Every Christmas, they bust out a few kegs of some aged Anchor Christmas beers from different vintages. And most importantly, they let us BA guys have a regular beer tasting there once a month. Good people that work there, beer knowledgable, helpful. All in all, definately a hot spot on the map.

09-04-2008 05:08:42 | More by stumac

ckeegan04

Texas

4.44/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Dropped in late on a Saturday night. There was a good crown but it was not packed and our group was able to grab seats at the bar. Huge wall of taps, I would guess about 50. Almost all craft or imports. They have an even larger bottle selection. Had a few of the Texas breweries represented (St Arnold, Southern Star, and Live Oak) as well as a wide selection of other crafts. I had a Live Oak Hefe, Vitus, and finished the night with the old standby, SN Pale Ale. Barteneder knew what she was talking about and made a couple of good recommendations to the friends I was there with.

Place has a few TV's, darts, and a real nice porch with tables. It is in Rice Village amongst quite a few more bars. Little 'upper class' but not pretentious by any means.

09-02-2008 20:16:39 | More by ckeegan04

azorie

Florida

3.09/5  rDev -27.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4 | $$$$

Went early and found a place to park for 2 dollars. Very interesting place, why they choose to leave the door open in the Texas summer is a mystery to me, but what can I say. Your in the heart of Rice village, which is to say your surrounded by allot of Smart folks and money. The bar has nice outside area, again why you want to fry out there, one never knows but I guess if you smoke your going to have to live with the heat and humidity.

We did not at first run into any "problems" with locals as some have complained about, but then again we got here after going to eat lunch, so It was empty except for the bud guys giving a sales pitch, so we could not listen to the junk box, but it was ok.

Decent selection on tap, but after the flying saucer its a big let down, but again this is my kind of bar, small and quiet. Allthough another bar that is Quite expensive IMHO, but I see a trend here, if you want to drink imports from Belgium in a bottle at a bar, get ready for double retail prices and up. I got a 750ml bottle of La chouffe and it was 21.50 geez can you say super rip off, I sure can.

Service was the WORST I EVER SEEN. We was all ALONE and we could not get waited on, until I walked to the bar. ok they only had the manger and 1 bartender. After a while, like an hour late another person came in and THEY GOT WAITED ON!!

Sadly since we were not regulars we could not get the time of day from the bartender, she had others. No table service, so its just like a English bar. One assumes they get waiters later in the day, but we left before it got anymore crowded. Decent local hangout if you drink the cheap stuff, or have a large budget for beer every week.

I can see where if your not a local you get some funny looks, but as a fellow Texan I am used to noisy folks who ask your business out of the blue, just a Texas thing. I can stare back at assholes with the best of them. Still If I lived nearby I would revisit, as the manager on duty seemed very nice.One would hope the service would improve, being like we were IT for at least an hour. Needles to say NO FUCKING TIP!

06-27-2008 13:14:44 | More by azorie

naterock

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Iwas brought here by my cousin who lives in Pasadena. I agree with some other when I say there are a lot of schmucks here. if you know how to avoid them you'll be ok. We sat on the back patio and didn't have a problem. as far as the selection goes WOW I've never seen this many beer taps in one place. the beer selection was top notch and the food was excellent. The waitresses were friendly and fast. Glassware was correctly used when possible. all around a great place to go have a drink. I would probably go back at a different time though, maybe earlier before the "cool people" get liquored up.

06-08-2008 14:25:05 | More by naterock

jwff

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

I really don't know where to begin with this place except the past few times I've gone I've been extremely disappointed. The clientele is a mix of regular dudes who can keep to themselves and the drunk priveledged types that get too rowdy for their own good (even on the slower weeknights). Luckily the beer selection is good and always kept fresh with the exception of a few aged releases. Half pints are always a plus when you want to keep your head and try more than a few things. I don't really go anymore except when I have company in town or am in the area and have a hankerin for some St. Arnold from the cask. Also if you hear T. Rex - Raw Ramp playing then I'm probably there.

03-05-2008 23:12:52 | More by jwff

armock

New York

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I went here on Wednesday night and its a damn good thing that the car had gps in it to let me know I was in front of the place. This place is a little hard to find at night as they don't have a lighted sign and the trees in front of the building hide it a bit. Wednesday nights are pint night that changes each week drink that selected beer you get to take home its branded glass. They even give you the glass clean which is nice. They have a great selection of taps I don't know the specific number but theres a lot and something on tap that you'll like. They have one beer on cask and when I was there it was Saint Aarnolds IPA. They do use the proper glassware as much as they can which is a plus. Theres not that much stuff on the food menu thats seemed worthwhile and it looked a little pricey for what was on it. The beer prices are normal for what you get. This is one cool place to go and have a few pints and hang out with some friends.

02-22-2008 02:33:17 | More by armock

skittlebrau

Texas

4.03/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 1.5 | $$

If you can find parking, this is a good place to relax on a weeknight. Moreso on Wednesday which is glass night, both here and at the saucer. I'd say the atmosphere is just right for what it is, although it has a tendency to get crowded, like any place in the village. I think it's a better crowd than its neighbors though.

The only downside is don't come here expecting to eat anything. They don't have much in the way of pub grub and what they do have isn't worth spending your beer money on.

01-02-2008 23:30:07 | More by skittlebrau

TeeCee

Louisiana

4.58/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I visited the Ginger Man by recommendation from a Houstonian as my current job brings me to Houston often. I can't tell about the atmosphere of the entire establishment as I didn't get past the taps. I like to sit as close to center as I can at a bar like this so I can look for beers I haven't had yet.

I had all draught beers from micro brews, all by recommendation of the bartender. I wish I remembered her name. She was very knowledgeable about the beer they served and all of her recommendations were right on (about four). She took time the time to discuss my preferences and what they had to offer and her sample size was also commendable. She could not have done much more.

The selection seemed to be on the plus side for diversity and included Aventinus (bottled), Optimator (draught), and Salvator. This is a plus for me as Aventinus is my all time favorite beer and dopple bocks are my favorite brews. The one German made Dopple Bock I'm familiar with that I don't think they carry, Celebrator, is my least favorite.

I don't remember what my total was as I paid cash and I try not to think about such things, but the prices must have been inline with what I'm used to as they didn't scare me.

12-04-2007 02:22:26 | More by TeeCee

champ103

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

A great place to chill and relax with some beers. The Ginger Man is a neat college hangout for Rice University. I think it has a great atmosphere and friendly patrons. Old house turned into a pub. Smallish bar inside, and best patio and outdoor drinking in Houston as far as I am concerned. I can sip on cask and people watch all day.

Service is as good and friendly as any bar I have been to. It can get slow when it is crowded, but that is not their fault. They don't really have food. Just a couple of "snacks." I had the spinach artichoke dip, but that was it besides chips and peanuts, and a cheese/meat plate.

The selection ranges from local Saint Arnold, Southern Star, and Real Ale to English beers like Fuller's and Belhaven. They also have a great selection of Belgian Trappist beers, German, as well as a wide US micro tap and bottle selection. They are always rotation new beers in as well.

There is also a good bit of history to this place. The first Gingerman, and claims to be the first multi tap bar in the Country. They are also extremely gracious to everyone on BA, and let us use the place for our monthly gatherings. On top of everything else, the late great Micheal Jackson the Beer Hunter called this placed one of the best bars in the world. If you like beer and are in the downtown/rice village area in Houston, it is a must.

11-22-2007 02:59:40 | More by champ103