San Maximum: The Growling

By Austin Cowan
Assistant Web Content Manager

The Growling is the go-to place in San Marcos to get Texas craft beer. This beer bar is loved by its customers for both for the unique atmosphere and the quality of the drinks being served. Here, patrons can pair their beer with food and games. Many San Marcos residents have made this beer bar is part of their lives. For this reason the Growler has made our list of places to go to in order to achieve the maximum San Marcos experience.

The Drinks

The Growler currently has 29 drinks on tap, which occasionally do change. Currently, customers can order a wide variety of sours, IPAs, ciders, porters, and etc. Many of my friends who go here love to drink either the Blood Orange Cider or the Coffee Porter. The cider is refreshing but if you’re feeling fatigued on a night out with friends, it is better to go with the coffee porter. My personal favorite thing to get here is a half and half of the peanut butter stout mixed with the chocolate stout when they are on tap. This chocolate and peanut butter concoction is like an alcoholic Reese’s cup in a pint glass. The beer menu changes frequently so click here to see what it currently is.

The Uniqueness

There are a few things that make the Growling unique from other bars in San Marcos: games, food and dogs. Both board and card games are strategically placed throughout the bar for customers to play while drinking beer. Customers are encouraged to bring their own games as well as food. The reason why people can bring outside food into the Growling is because the bar does not serve food. Menus for surrounding businesses including Pie Society and Cheer Chow are actually on tables in the Growling. One last thing that makes the Growler unique is that dogs are welcome. The owners decided to let their customers bring their four-legged companions along with them to the Growling when they began to bring their own dog to work. There are not many indoor facilities in San Marcos that allow people to bring in non-service dogs, so dog lovers in the area love the Growling.

My Experience

I have visited the Growling a few times now and have thoroughly enjoyed each time there, because friends and I make an event out of it. First, we stop by Whataburger to pick up food, then we head over to the Growler to play Catan. Playing games while drinking beer is a beer drinker’s dream come true. I have made many lifelong memories at this bar drinking beer, playing games and eating Whataburger. Like most people, I want to be happy, and I find happiness at the Growling.

The Growling is a bar that provides its customers with quality beer and a unique experience. The relaxed environment makes this bar the ideal place for beer drinkers to enjoy company, beer and games. Head on over to the Growling soon and drink your way into achieving the maximum San Marcos experience–if you’re of legal drinking age, of course.

Featured image by Austin Cowan.